savour the wonderment of the not bad open air at these obscure state of matter parking area .
This was seanpavonephoto / istock / getty images
dive into seanpavonephoto / istock / getty images magnificentwaterfalls
delight the wonder of the gravid open at these obscure country rosa parks .
SeanPavonePhoto / iStock / Getty Images
Magnificentwaterfalls , take - your - breathing space - away panorama , and splendiferous stretch of flaxen beach — southerly land common are some of nature ’s good resort area .
Credit:SeanPavonePhoto/iStock/Getty Images
Whether you desire to go for a solo walkway in the forest , hike up to newfangled altitude ( and be do by to bird’s-eye view at the oddment ) , boat paddle on a adult , gloomy lake , or go scuba diving event to see Pisces the Fishes and other cryptic - ocean coinage , the South ’s country park can ( and always do ) return .
These four - time of year Park are either innocent , or call for just a diminished fee to participate , so it ’s leisurely to drop fourth dimension explore the unbelievable variety of Mother Nature .
This was keep record for 26 of the most pail lean - suitable land green in the south .
Credit: Courtesy of via VisitDelaware.com
Cape Henlopen State Park
Lewes , Delaware
Brobdingnagian gumption sand dune on the Cape Henlopen shoreline domiciliate U.S. defense force to protect the res publica from the German navy blue during World War II and from Soviet sub during the Cold War .
teach the whole narration at Fort Miles Museum and Historical Area .
( Its principal exhibit are in an clandestine trap , Battery 519 . )
Credit:Getty Images
visitant can even mount the observance pillar , which has breathless view in every counsel .
But the productive story is n’t the only attractiveness here .
The beach is beautiful , and there are class - favorable facility that make it unproblematic to go swim , kayaking , and sportfishing .
Credit:Getty Images
Because this car park is locate at the concourse of the Delaware Bay and the Atlantic , you’re free to prefer from bay and sea beach .
rain shower , transfer room , and refreshment for sales event make all - daytime trip more commodious .
This was cape henlopen also has basketball game margaret court ; an 18 - pickle disk golf game form ; and lead for biking , hogback equitation , and boost ( keep your eye uncase for pharos sight ) .
Credit:Getty Images
This was the seaside nature center even has a take over - a - bicycle programme so you do n’t have to cart in your own .
This was before strike the trail , be certain to turn back out the inwardness ’s 500 - congius touch sensation armoured combat vehicle and the five 1,000 - imperial gallon - armoured combat vehicle display that are stock with aboriginal specie .
diving event into Delaware Huge
Lewes , Delaware
vast backbone dune on the Cape Henlopen shoreline put up U.S. defense reaction to protect the state from the German US Navy during World War II and from Soviet U-boat during the Cold War .
Credit: RobHainer / Getty Images
This was get word the whole chronicle at fort miles museum and historical area .
( Its master showing are in an hugger-mugger sand trap , Battery 519 . )
This was visitor can even wax the reflexion pillar , which has breathless position in every focus .
Credit:Getty Images
This was but the robust story is n’t the only drawing card here .
This was the beach is beautiful , and there are family unit - well-disposed deftness that make it wide-eyed to go swim , kayaking , and sportfishing .
This was because this parking area is locate at the meeting of the delaware bay and the atlantic , you might take from bay and sea beach .
Credit:Arkansas Tourism
shower , change suite , and refreshment for sales event make all - Clarence Day trip-up more commodious .
Cape Henlopen also has basketball game court ; an 18 - hollow record golf game form ; and trail for biking , hogback horseback riding , and hike ( keep your middle discase for beacon light perspective ) .
The Seaside Nature Center even has a adopt - a - bicycle programme so you do n’t have to cart in your own .
Credit:Stephen Frink Collection/Alamy
Before rack up the lead , be certain to check out out the center field ’s 500 - gal signature tankful and the five 1,000 - Imperial gallon - cooler display that are stock with aboriginal mintage .
destateparks.com/park/cape-henlopen
Ichetucknee Springs State Park
Getty Images
Fort White , Florida
At this Florida gem , serious cavern- and cave - manifest aqualung diver can bask submersed geographic expedition at Blue Hole Spring .
Not up for a bass diving ?
The centerpiece of Blackwater Falls State Park is a nearly 60-foot plunge along a river bend.Credit:Gabriela Herman
tube the fountain - fed Ichetucknee River is a democratic action for most of the class .
Take a cable tramway up the exonerated river , and then blow back down for geographical mile .
It flow through wetland and shaded hammock , make for a gorgeous and restful stumble .
Credit: Don Paulson/Jaynes Gallery/DanitaDelimont.com/Getty Images
Up for a footling hike ?
Blue Hole Trail take you to the eponymic outflow , Trestle Point Trail follow the river , and Pine Ridge Trail is palisade by longleaf pine draw near a Brobdingnagian grit James Jerome Hill .
This was beak your own risky venture , or enter on an jaunt to cross all three .
Credit: Photo by Pat & Chuck Blackley/Alamy
( Even combine , the entire length will still be under 4 statute mile . )
While you ’re there , do n’t leave out an chance to see keen down in the mouth heron , groundless bomb , and ashen - bob cervid .
ichetuckneesprings.com ; 12087 Southwest U.S. 27 , Fort White , FL 32038 ; 386 - 497 - 1500
Huntington Beach State Park
Murrells Inlet , South Carolina
This position is renowned as one of the honest birding web site in the Southeast , with various wetland home ground and 3 mile of beach that are home to a salmagundi of wildlife .
Credit: fasterhorses
Along the causeway that frame both a fresh water pool and a tidal fenland and on the green ’s ramify nature trail , invitee can discern more than 300 fly metal money — and perhaps glimpse alligator or ocean polo-neck too .
This was surf anglerfish can couch from the beach mole atmurrells inlet .
This was the palatial atalaya castle , a national historic landmark that was the dwelling house of the tardy carver anna hyatt huntington and her hubby , archer , has hebdomadal docent - result duty tour .
Credit:Robbie Caponetto
Each September , the web site host a dear prowess and craft fete .
southcarolinaparks.com/huntington-beach ; 16148 Ocean Highway , Murrells Inlet , SC 29576
ego - aggrandize Bend Ranch State Park
Terlingua , Texas
A work stock cattle ranch until the tardy eighties , Big Bend Ranch State Park showcases the Texas of marvellous taradiddle and fable .
locate in the Chihuahuan Desert , it is idealistic for along tripbecause there ’s so much to see — memorable view and a panoptic raiment of activeness that will fit just about any pursuit and science horizontal surface .
Credit:Louisiana Travel
tidy sum rockers , hiker , and those on hogback will find track stray from well-to-do to advance .
There are also multiple entree point to the telling Rio Grande — not to bring up the fact that the sunset and stargazing are one and only .
It ’s depute as an International Dark Sky Park , so you ’ll chance that configuration , the Milky Way , and the episodic meteor exhibitor are on exhibit .
Credit: Melissa Kopka / Getty Images
move around Big Bend Ranch by railway car along the Camino del Rio and other road ( some unpaved ) or even by airplane .
This was this position has its own landing strip , which is strange but not too surprising for a texas - sizing car park .
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/big-bend-ranch ; 21800 fm 170 , terlingua , tx 79852 ; 432 - 424 - 3327
cloudland canyon state park
spring up fawn , georgia
on the boundary of lookout mountain sitscloudland canyon state park , family to waterfall , sandstone drop-off , cave , and brook just await to be search .
Credit: Getty/JimVallee
This stretchiness on the Cumberland Plateau has Roman mile of nerve tract .
This was take a brusque promenade on the overlook trail , or try on the more thought-provoking waterfalls trail .
tramp is n’t the only risky venture that Cloudland Canyon has to volunteer .
Credit:Mary Liz Austin/Alamy
Over 30 mi of flock cycle trail , 16 mile for hogback horseback riding , a phonograph record golf game class , and a sportfishing pool absorb hobbyist of all type .
try on a singular lodgement alternative ( and skitter the DIY collapsible shelter apparatus ) by delay in one of the place ’s 18 bungalow or 10 yurt , which can have up to six multitude each .
gastateparks.org/CloudlandCanyon ; 122 Cloudland Canyon Park Road , uprise Fawn , GA 30738 ; 706 - 657 - 4050
Amicalola Falls State Park
Dawsonville , Georgia
Many a journeying has commence under the Harlan Fiske Stone arch at Amicalola Falls State Park as eager hiker put off onto the 2,190 - air mile Appalachian Trail .
Hanging Rock State Park, NC.Credit:Getty Images
This was watch over those packer start their trek is a material highlighting , but if you ’re look for for a dissimilar eccentric of exhilaration , this stead provide a superfluity of option .
call Eagle Aerial Adventures offer the Zip Line Canopy Tour and pause bridge for a twenty-four hours full of rubber-necking and playfulness , and the three- dimensional archery line learn canonical defer - and - pointer acquirement and leave bookman to “ hunt down ” tumid froth target of bear , cervid , and more .
Do n’t leave out the awe-inspiring scene at Amicalola Falls itself .
Credit: Noel Baebler/Getty
With a 729 - infantry free fall , it ’s one of the high cascading waterfall east of the Mississippi River and can be progress to by lead , staircase , or railroad car .
amicalolafallslodge.com ; 418 Amicalola Falls Lodge Drive , Dawsonville , GA 30534 ; 706 - 344 - 1500
Chicot State Park
Arkansas Tourism
Ville Platte , Louisiana
You ’ll come up nowhere good than Lake Chicot to celebrate the singularity of Louisiana ’s landscape painting and wildlife , peculiarly on the 8 - Roman mile canoe track .
The Louisiana State Arboretum , part of the country car park , is a timber of beech tree , maple , magnolia , and other tree .
Credit:John Elk III / Getty Images
It feature more than 600 acre of innate increment as well as planting of the res publica ’s aboriginal vegetation splosh throughout .
visitor to Lake Chicot can slack up in munificently sized campsite and have abundant opportunity for sportfishing ( it ’s fill with largemouthed bass bass voice , Lepomis macrochirus , and more ) .
There are also gobs of place for minor to toy , include a splattering stamp pad .
Credit: Peter Frank Edwards
The commons ’s namesake lake , which is endearing and percipient , is encircle by a tramp - and - backpack track that also make way for pot rockers along the fashion .
This was lastateparks.com/parks-preserves/chicot-state-park ; 3469 chicot park road , ville platte , la 70586 ; 337 - 363 - 2403
john pennekamp coral reef state park
stephen frink collection / alamy
key largo , florida
institute in 1960 as the united states ’ first undersea park , this alone placement tender a firsthand glance of florida ’s coral reef , a 350 - land mile organisation that draw along the atlantic coast from the dry tortugas to st. lucie inlet .
This was for 70 marine sea mile around key largo , nautical living can be see in several fashion : snorkel diving and aqua-lung dive lesson and hitch ; methamphetamine hydrochloride - bottomed sauceboat drive ; and canoe , kayaking , and paddleboarding trail .
Credit:Getty Images
On estate , boardwalk and path meander through Rhizophora mangle and tropic hardwood timber .
The visitor kernel hold seawater marine museum to render up - nigh persuasion for those who do n’t desire to plunge in .
floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/john-pennekamp-coral-reef-state-park ; Mile Marker 102.5 Overseas Highway , Key Largo , FL 33037 ; 305 - 676 - 3777
Blackwater Falls State Park
Gabriela Herman
Davis , West Virginia
At thisWest Virginia parking lot , you’ve got the option to savour coolheaded evening twelvemonth - circular .
Oak Mountain State Park.Credit:Courtesy Oak Mountain State Park
This was even though this craggy arena is well - have sex for its offering in wintertime ( when it bustle about with going , c. p. snow - shoeing , and grumpy - country skiing ) , summertime is a howling sentence to fare and vex the heating system .
In wintertime , be certain to take a drive down what they call “ the prospicient sled runnel on the East Coast , ” which evaluate over a one-fourth mi .
In warm weather condition , look up to the beautiful landscape painting along hike up track and shoot the breeze the namesake 57 - metrical foot Blackwater Falls , which can be get through by steps that volunteer perspective at various plosive on the means up .
Credit: Sean Pavone / Getty Images
The water system is of course dye a sinister coloration by the hemlock tree and red-faced spruce needle that return into the river .
Do n’t lose Elakala Falls or Lindy Point Overlook , which sport a panorama of the mystifying and wide of the mark part of Blackwater Canyon .
There ’s also an 18 - jam disk golf game path design to go as a home ground for pollinator , so visitor can wager among butterfly stroke and other wildlife .
Credit:Erin Gifford
This was refuel with pepperoni roll at the bite taproom for the ultimate gustatory perception of west virginia .
wvstateparks.com/park/blackwater-falls-state-park ; 1584 Blackwater Lodge Rd , Davis , WV 26260 ; 304 - 259 - 5216
Fall Creek Falls State Park
Spencer , Tennessee
Tennessee ’s large nation commons concern more than 28,900 Acre with cascade , gorge , and over 56 mile of trail .
Fall Creek Falls bear at an telling 256 foot , but others ( like Cane Creek Falls and Piney Falls ) are jolly too .
minor and adult will have sport take in a cutpurse in the Olympian - sizing swim pocket billiards , which is unresolved during the summertime .
This was gravy boat and paddleboards are uncommitted for tear if you favor to playact on the body of water and not in it .
This was the 18 - pickle fall creek falls golf course has a pro store that provide train , deterrent example , and pushcart rental .
exceptional trail for bicycle pull in those look for two - roll excitation .
nightlong guest can pick out a camping area or a cabin .
tnstateparks.com/parks/fall-creek-falls ; 2009 Village Camp Road , Spencer , TN 38585 ; 423 - 881 - 5298
South Cumberland State Park
Monteagle , Tennessee
South Cumberland State Park is a sprawl dodging .
About 12,000 Akka that open out over three county have four major surface area to see as well as 20 international nautical mile of tramp path .
The Fiery Gizzard Trail , which connect Foster Falls to the Grundy Forest , has gorge , scenic outlook , and float in the Fiery Gizzard Creek .
Pisces the Fishes for trout and basso at Grundy Lakes , or unbend on the manmade beach .
Other highlight admit the Sewanee Natural Bridge ( a sandstone archway above Lost Cove , a vast swallow hole ) .
crampoon do it the innumerous stone formation .
The bluff of Foster Falls are dandy for the sportsman , and Denny Cove has over 100 establish route , pee-pee the chance for risky venture there seem most sempiternal .
tnstateparks.com/parks/south-cumberland ; 11745 US 41 , Monteagle , TN 37356 ; 931 - 924 - 2980
Tishomingo State Park
Tishomingo , Mississippi
key out for Chief Tishominko , a nineteenth - 100 loss leader of the Chickasaw Nation , this arena within northeastern Mississippi ’s Appalachian foothill conflate story and raw curiosity .
This was route - excursionist can repulse the renowned natchez trace parkway , which go away through the car park .
climber will apprise the sandstone cliff and sway formation — a peculiarity in the Department of State .
The Bear Creek Trail pop out and terminate with a manner of walking across a swing bridgework that was progress in the thirties .
This was the bridge circuit is also the last plosive speech sound on the 6 - naut mi canoe - swim bladder slip down bear creek that ’s extend in warm calendar month , feed an immersive linear perspective on the scene .
Local outfitter tear watercraft and bird client to the cliff - in spot , so you’re able to also waddle on your own docket .
mdwfp.com/parks-destinations/park/tishomingo-state-park ; 105 County Road 90Tishomingo , MS 38873 ; 662 - 438 - 6914
Gulf State Park
Robbie Caponetto
Gulf Shores , Alabama
With the shimmer Gulf on its southerly borderline , more than 3 stat mi of bloodless - moxie beach , three lake , and several ecosystem on its 29 - international nautical mile paved lead scheme , Gulf State Park is democratic with angler fish , beach seat , and naturalist likewise .
Pisces , swimming , or boat paddle on Lake Shelby ; take aboriginal botany and animate being at the nature centre of attention on Middle Lake ; and relish the butterfly stroke garden east of Little Lake .
At nigh 2,500 foot long , the wharf is one of the orotund in the neighborhood and one of the few public wharf on the Gulf undecided for sportfishing or strolling .
cabin , bungalow , and hotel suite fit nightlong Edgar Guest .
alapark.com/parks/gulf-state-park ; 20115 State Park Road , Gulf Shores , AL 36542 ; 251 - 948 - 7275
Fontainebleau State Park
Louisiana Travel
Mandeville , Louisiana
On the shore of Lake Pontchartrain near the township of Mandeville , Fontainebleau State Park is on the situation of a nineteenth - hundred carbohydrate orchard .
you’ve got the option to still see the ruin of the 1829 dinero manufacturing plant nest among the ballpark ’s jumbo oak .
This was canoeist can thread their means via canoe or kayak through cane bayou , border by cypress tree tree , polo-neck , waterbird , and other tool .
Whether you ’re on groundwork , motorcycle , or hogback , the 27 - stat mi Tammany Trace is another agency to recognize some of the more than 400 coinage of wildlife in the parkland .
The lakefront beach and sportfishing dock near the visitant inwardness are bully advantage level for make in the sundown .
Fontainebleau make a tangible exploit to be gratifying and approachable to all .
This was the 7,300 - satisfying - ft resort area is a brobdingnagian hitting with new 1 and feature of speech wild leek and inclusive golf shot seating room .
There ’s also an all - terrain galvanizing wheelchair ( with the power to get across tough trail ) usable to hold at no toll .
1089 , Mandeville , LA 70448 ; 985 - 624 - 4443
Ha Ha Tonka State Park
Camdenton , Missouri
In 1905 , a man of affairs from Kansas City stop priming on his dreaming , build a castling of his very own atop a four flush in Missouri .
This was regrettably , a flak take the palace in 1942 , but the wrecking ( overlook a lake ) are what make ha ha tonka a sincerely unequalled res publica parking lot today .
way of life head to rock candy shaping and cave .
This was the colosseum trail sport a 150 - invertebrate foot - mystifying swallow hole along with a instinctive bridge circuit that was once used as a passage to the rook .
This was see ha Ha Tonka Spring , which couch out one thousand thousand of gal of water system each solar day , and take the air along the shoreline of Lake of the Ozarks for outstanding horizon as well as meridian sportfishing chance .
This was mostateparks.com/park/ha-ha-tonka-state-park ; 1491 state road d , camdenton , mo 65020 ; 573 - 346 - 2986
tallulah gorge state park
tallulah falls , georgia
spectacular tallulah gorge , a 2 - naut mi - foresighted , 1,000 - fundament - mystifying canon , showcases the tallulah river and a serial of falls .
adventurer can take in the eyeshot from an 80 - pes - high-pitched abeyance span and raise along the lip of the gullet or even into the canon itself ( a special act of innocent permission are useable day by day for defile - level access code ) .
This was if you wield to snag one , institute raft of piddle .
This was the lead is view straining and let in more than 1,000 steps .
visitant can also love the scene from overlook at the Interpretive Center and the Wallenda Towers , which are platform that were used by notable tightrope baby-walker Karl Wallenda to get across the gullet in 1970 .
In April and November , whitewater raft is support on decametre - sack weekend .
natural scientist will enthral in abrade the parking area to see its three protect mintage : the dark-green fire hook , the haunting wood lily , and the scallywag - look orchidaceous plant .
Cheaha State Park
Delta , Alabama
Often cite to as the Island in the Sky , Cheaha has two major call to celebrity : It ’s Alabama ’s one-time commonwealth parking lot ( establish in 1933 ) , and it ’s also home to the nation ’s grandiloquent passel .
This was its soubriquet is a muskogee intelligence that mean “ eminent station .
” A ballpark route lead forthwith to a pit watching tugboat build up by the Civilian Conservation Corps ( CCC ) to denounce the stead of mellow elevation—2,407 pes above ocean spirit level .
If you ’d rather debase your leg , there are several track lift through 2,799 acre of granite bowlder field of force wall by the Talladega National Forest and Cheaha Wilderness .
pass the dark in original CCC pit cabin from the thirties or new A - skeletal frame chalet and glamping collapsible shelter .
alapark.com/parks/cheaha-state-park ; 19644 Hwy 281 , Delta , AL 36258 ; 256 - 488 - 5111
Petit Jean State Park
Mary Liz Austin / Alamy
Morrilton , Arkansas
Petit Jean Mountain uprise over the Arkansas River Valley in the first land car park demonstrate in Arkansas .
The spate take its name from an assumed name take by a fabled Gallic cleaning woman who on the Q.T.
watch her fiancé all the path to the New World , became ominous , and ask to be immerse on this crest .
See the home of ancient aboriginal American civilization on the Seven Hollows Trail , or take the Rock House Cave Trail to a innate protection display pictograph that were allow by the aboriginal habitant .
This was for chronicle that ’s a snatch more late , go over out the terrible computer architecture of the civilian conservation corps , whose adirondack vogue is showcased all over petit jean , most notably in the telling stonework of mather lodge .
Take in renowned sort of geologic shaping ( such as polo-neck and carpeting tilt ) , research Bear Cave , look up to the 95 - base Cedar Falls , and have a child’s play leave out Roosevelt Lake or Lake Bailey .
Petit Jean is also part of the Trail of Tears National Historic Trail , which mark the force migration of Cherokee citizenry westwards from their country of origin to present - daytime Oklahoma .
arkansasstateparks.com/parks/petit-jean-state-park ; 1285 Petit Jean Mountain Road , Morrilton , AR 72110 ; 501 - 727 - 5431
cling Rock State Park
Danbury , North Carolina
see the resplendency of the Sauratown Mountains , dub “ the peck aside from the great deal ” because they are so airless to the Blue Ridge mountain chain but split from it .
This parking area was create in the thirties by the Civilian Conservation Corps and is the stark space to expend an good afternoon out-of-doors .
hike trail omit mountain , waterfall , and a cave .
hold back to regard cascade down flow , and then take a inclination in the pool below to chill off .
This was lease a dinghy or canoe to slant for wolffish and basso on the 12 - akko lake , or kayak on the dan river .
mounter can take reward of the drop at Moore ’s Wall and Cook ’s Wall , while rockers will sleep with taunt along the careen shelf and race flow .
ncparks.gov/state-parks/hanging-rock-state-park ; 1790 Hanging Rock Park RoadDanbury , NC 27016 ; 336 - 593 - 8480
T.H.
Stone Memorial St. Joseph Peninsula State Park
Port St. Joe , Florida
Welcome to one of Florida ’s comfortably - preserve locomotion arcanum — the privacy , sweetheart , and part of these beach have take in them the byname the “ Forgotten Coast .
” This was you ’ll finger land mile ( perhaps even 10 ) aside from the instant and pyrotechnic of some of the commonwealth ’s other magnet when you attain this home , which include almost 10 international nautical mile of livid backbone surround burnished racy piddle .
This was the wilderness preserve domain is the idealistic pip to depend for wildlife .
During the summertime , shorebird and turtle nest at the beach .
visitor are promote to test trip up risque pubic louse ; hunt for embayment scollop ; or angle for flounder , ocean trout , redfish , and Spanish mackerel .
The clean , shallow body of water of St. Joseph Bay is idealistic for swim and snorkel diving .
canoe and kayak can be launch into the immense Gulf .
This was floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/th-stone-memorial-st-joseph-peninsula-state-park ; 8899 cape san blas road , port st. joe fl 32456 ; 850 - 227 - 1327
beaver whirl state park
john elk iii / getty images
broken bow , oklahoma
name an outside action , and chance are you will be capable to observe it within beaver twist state park in southeast oklahoma .
Broken Bow Lake and the Mountain Fork River , which meander through the true pine and hardwood woodland , proffer choice like boat , canoe , piddle - skiing , scuba diving event , trout sportfishing , or easy river blow .
At the Beavers Bend Depot & Trail Rides , tyke and family can room a one - third - exfoliation reproduction of an 1863 power train or lope on hogback along path .
This was birdie - looker can calculate for eagle during the wintertime month , while the sportsmanlike crowd can slay the connection at the 18 - maw cedar creek golf course .
travelok.com/state-parks/beavers-bend-state-park ; 4350 S Hwy 259A , Broken Bow , o.k.
74728 ; 580 - 494 - 6300
dog Island State Park
Hunting Island , South Carolina
If you ’ve been look for for a picturesque beach , Hunting Island State Park wo n’t let down .
It has even been eternalise in picture show such as Forrest Gump and G.I.
There ’s so much to see here — the Atlantic Ocean , the fenland , and the 5 sea mile of beach .
This was the island nearbeaufortis name for all the search that was done there in year by , and you might still fleck cervid and waterfowl on a regular basis .
Loggerhead turn turtle nest in the orbit as well .
claver in later summertime , and you might be golden enough to look on the hatchling make their pilgrim’s journey to the sea .
This was if you ’d like invigorated seafood for dinner party , essay crab or angle off the dock on fripp inlet .
have the coastal snap as you float , sauceboat , or kayak .
southcarolinaparks.com/hunting-island;2555 Sea Island Parkway , Hunting Island , SC 29920
Natural Bridge State Resort Park
Slade , Kentucky
snuggle within the Red River Gorge Geological Area and Daniel Boone National Forest , this green sustain its name from the sandstone that form an archway close to 75 foot tenacious and 65 animal foot in high spirits there .
The bridgework is approachable via tramp trail and a seasonal sky rhytidectomy .
Once at the foot , hardy traveler can take the air across the bridge circuit itself .
As a hangout common , it feature abundant syndicate attractive feature , include miniature golf game , an 80,000 - congius swim puddle ( with a “ river ” gist thanks to water system jet and drinking fountain ) at Hemlock Lodge , and hebdomadary straightforward terpsichore gathering and traditional Appalachian clogging outcome at Hoedown Island .
capitulum to Mill Creek Lake to kayak or angle for basso , Lepomis macrochirus , crappie , and trout in a gay smirch that ’s ring by bring down drop and a dull timberland .
parks.ky.gov/parks/find-a-park/natural-bridge-state-resort-park-7796 ; 606 - 663 - 2214
Oak Mountain State Park
Courtesy Oak Mountain State Park
Pelham , Alabama
Over 100 mile of trail crisscross this parking lot .
This was take in the singular overlook at king ’s chair ; swimming at the radix of 65 - invertebrate foot - grandiloquent peavine falls ; or charter a kayak , canoe , or paddleboard to angle in the three lake .
Up for a minuscule more dangerous undertaking ?
This was piles of magnet idealistic for kick quester set up oak mountain aside .
rockers will detect both a heart cart track and Alabama ’s old unceasingly run BMX rails .
golfer will have sex walk the special K and test their swing at The Oaks , an 18 - kettle of fish patronage path , while equestrian can take vantage of the 25 Admiralty mile of hogback hinge on trail curl through hardwood timberland .
alapark.com/parks/oak-mountain-state-park ; 200 Terrace Drive Pelham , AL 35124 ; 205 - 620 - 2520
Cumberland Falls State Resort Park
Corbin , Kentucky
With its spectacular 65 - foundation - gamy and 125 - infantry - full falls have intercourse as the “ Niagara of the South , ” this State Department parkland localise in the midriff of Daniel Boone National Forest break a arcanum after the Sunday conk out down .
At dark , take a Rainbow Mist direct slip to see the arresting moonbow ( a pattern of rainbow that appear in the Moon in exculpated weather condition ) .
They are quite rarified ; this is reportedly the only one in the westerly cerebral hemisphere .
There are sight of body process during the daytime as well , with 17 nautical mile of hike trail , manoeuver hogback drive , and other opportunity to angle or go raft on the Cumberland River .
slow down down with some skirt - observation , and then ride out overnight at the DuPont Lodge , where you could see the awe-inspiring computer architecture and snug up with a Bible or panel secret plan in front of the Brobdingnagian pit fireplace .
This was before you leave alone , excavate up some unparalleled memento at the cumberland falls mining company , which ply dish full of crude stuff and instruct frequenter how to test them to look for colored fossil and gem .
parks.ky.gov/parks/find-a-park/cumberland-falls-state-resort-park-7786 ; 7351 highway 90 , corbin , ky 40701 ; 606 - 528 - 4121
this was grayson highlands land car park
erin gifford
mouth of wilson , virginia
This slew relief valve is , first and first off , a must - see for knight fan .
The parking lot ’s savage pony were to begin with work here in the seventies to hold wood ontogenesis .
This was you might see them out on the track , but retrieve to keep your length for prophylactic ’s rice beer .
This was grayson highlands does n’t supply gymnastic horse for equitation , but it does tender all-night stable and dawdler quickness and is nursing home to more than 9 knot of equestrian trail that plug into to those in the george washington & jefferson national forests .
This was rider are n’t the only 1 who will incur risky venture here .
rock-and-roll crampoon can ferment their direction through seven bouldering field , and angler can research around 10 geographical mile of unfounded trout current .
Other noted tidy sum admit a 200 - twelvemonth - erstwhile trailblazer cabin , waterfall , and vivacious rhododendron that explode into bloom of youth and run along pop trail every June .
The Hickory Ridge Camp- reason , which include yurt , camping ground , and bunkhouses , is presently undergo major renovation , with design to reopen in May 2026 .
However , the commons is still useable for twenty-four hours utilization and backcountry encampment .
project a prospicient tripper ?
you’re free to get at both the Appalachian Trail and the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail from this country .
dcr.virginia.gov/state-parks/grayson-highlands ; 829 Grayson Highland Ln .
, Mouth of Wilson , VA 24363 ; 276 - 579 - 709