Although the US government manages 424 national parks, each state also contains beautiful parks of its own for recreation and sightseeing. America’s State Parks, an organization dedicated to promoting visits to parklands, counts 2,474 state parks scattered across the country. That number includes only officially designated parks – not state forests, historic sites, wildlife refuges, recreation areas, and other public lands. (Here’s a list of the most visited state park in every state and U.S. territory.)
To compile a list of America’s 25 most beautiful state parks, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a report by Travel Lens, a digital travel publication. The site analyzed Yelp and TripAdvisor reviews, Instagram popularity, and Google search data to create a list of dozens of state parks, then ranked them based on how many reviews of each one contained the words “beautiful,” “stunning,” and “breathtaking” as a percentage of all Yelp reviews. (In addition to beautiful state parks, here’s a guide to the most beautiful natural wonder in every state.)
Click here to see America’s 25 most beautiful state parks
According to the report, Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Ontonagon, Michigan, dazzled visitors the most. Set on 60,000 acres, the park boasts a 35,000-acre old-growth forest, 90 miles of hiking trails, waterfalls, and a campground – all near the Lake Superior shoreline. With ski slopes and a golf course as added attractions, Porcupine Mountains delivers year-round recreational opportunities.
If you’re planning your next vacation, then, consider skipping the national parks and stay closer to home. There’s probably a state park nearby that you shouldn’t miss. (You might also consider the most visited local parks in the U.S.)
25. Colt, Rhode Island
> Yelp reviews: 84
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 36
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 42.86
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24. Assateague, Maryland
> Yelp reviews: 91
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 40
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 43.96
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23. Mount Greylock, Massachusetts
> Yelp reviews: 50
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 22
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 44.00
22. Chimney Rock, North Carolina
> Yelp reviews: 224
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 101
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 45.09
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21. Niagara Falls, New York
> Yelp reviews: 380
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 175
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 46.05
20. Custer, South Dakota
> Yelp reviews: 228
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 105
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 4605.00
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19. Starved Rock, Illinois
> Yelp reviews: 337
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 159
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 47.17
18. Oswald West, Oregon
> Yelp reviews: 38
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 18
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 47.37
17. Palo Duro Canyon, Texas
> Yelp reviews: 186
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 91
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 48.92
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16. Tallulah Gorge, Georgia
> Yelp reviews: 173
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 85
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 49.13
15. Cumberland Falls, Kentucky
> Yelp reviews: 74
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 37
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 50.00
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14. Devil’s Lake, Wisconsin
> Yelp reviews: 202
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 103
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 50.99
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13. Valley of Fire, Nevada
> Yelp reviews: 586
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 303
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 51.71
12. Blackwater Falls, West Virginia
> Yelp reviews: 71
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 37
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 52.11
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11. Devil’s Den, Arkansas
> Yelp reviews: 40
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 21
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 52.50
10. Baxter, Maine
> Yelp reviews: 22
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 12
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 54.55
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9. Eldorado Canyon, Colorado
> Yelp reviews: 78
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 43
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 55.13
8. Waiʻānapanapa, Hawaii
> Yelp reviews: 256
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 142
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 55.47
7. Franconia Notch, New Hampshire
> Yelp reviews: 45
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 25
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 55.56
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6. Brown County, Indiana
> Yelp reviews: 86
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 49
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 56.98
5. Deception Pass, Washington
> Yelp reviews: 195
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 119
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 61.03
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4. Hocking Hills, Ohio
> Yelp reviews: 159
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 99
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 62.26
3. Grayson Highlands, Virginia
> Yelp reviews: 29
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 19
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 65.52
2. Smugglers’ Notch, Vermont
> Yelp reviews: 21
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 16
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 76.19
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1. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness, Michigan
> Yelp reviews: 27
> Reviews describing the park as beautiful, stunning, or breathtaking: 24
> Aesthetic reviews as % of total: 88.89
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