National parks can be so fun to visit. A national park carries a peace and natural beauty that’s difficult to find anywhere else. It’s just hard to compete with the calm serenity and natural magic that you’ll find at the bevy of these spots across the United States. But, national spots aren’t the only places of wonder in the U.S. What about state parks? Those can be just as special and make for a great trip. Whether you’re visiting in the fall, winter, spring or summer, let’s look at the best in this state, according to one popular travel outlet.
The Best State Park in Florida
The crew at Travel and Leisure magazine has put together a feature about the glorious state parks throughout the U.S. “National parks get all the attention, but some of the most beautiful landscapes in the U.S. are found in lesser-known—and therefore less busy—state parks,” they note in the piece. “From the caves of Ohio’s Hocking Hills State Park to the hoodoos of Utah’s Mars-like Goblin Valley State Park, endless places are waiting to be explored from coast to coast.”
So, what’s best spot for Florida? It’s Ichetucknee Springs State Park, where “you can kayak under lush green trees or spend the day tubing down the six-mile-long Ichetucknee River. Other activities include birding, hiking, picnicking, swimming, and scuba diving in Blue Hole Spring,” Travel and Leisure notes. So, if you’ve never been to that spot, now is a good time to plan a trip there for some seasonal fun.
So, what about the national variety? Well, according to U.S. News and World Report, the No. 1 best national pick in the U.S. is Glacier National Park, which is located in northwest Montana, along the Canadian border. People love to call this spot “The Crown of the Continent.”
“A showcase of melting glaciers, alpine meadows, carved valleys, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a paradise for adventurous visitors seeking a landscape steeped in human culture,” they state on their website. “Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, and the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road.” Glacier also shares a border with Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park.
Anne Erickson started her radio career shortly after graduating from Michigan State University and has worked on-air in Detroit, Flint, Toledo, Lansing and beyond. As someone who absolutely loves rock, metal and alt music, she instantly fell in love with radio and hasn’t looked back. When she’s not working, Anne makes her own music with her band, Upon Wings, and she also loves cheering on her favorite Detroit and Michigan sports teams, especially Lions and MSU football. Anne is also an award-winning journalist, and her byline has run in a variety of national publications. You can also hear her weekends on WRIF.