These Overlooked State Parks Rival the Beauty of the Most Popular National Parks

Summer is the perfect time to enjoy the breathtaking scenery of many national parks, like the Grand Canyon and Grand Tetons. However, the overwhelming crowds can be a drawback. Fortunately, the paths to equally stunning state parks (of which there are thousands!) are typically much less busy. They serve as excellent alternatives if you can't secure a national parks reservation or if a government shutdown occurs.

Discover these state park options as substitutes for the most-visited U.S. national parks in 2023. These areas provide ample space for exploration and opportunities to observe wildlife up close. Just remember to follow the principles of “leave no trace.”

Blackwater Falls State Park, West Virginia

• Visit this instead of: Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Appalachian region is home to the most-visited national park, the Great Smoky Mountains, which attracted a staggering 13 million visitors in 2023. However, Appalachia's vastness, spanning 13 states, offers numerous (less crowded) viewpoints to enjoy its beauty. West Virginia’s Blackwater Falls State Park exemplifies this, nestled in the Allegheny Mountains—a part of the Appalachians—free from the throngs at the Great Smoky Mountains. (Blackwater Falls welcomed about 850,000 visitors in 2015.) Visit in autumn to witness fall foliage that rivals that of North Carolina and Tennessee. When you snap a picture of the Blackwater Falls surrounded by deep oranges and reds, you might not need to edit anyone out of the frame.

Bonus: If you’re seeking a national park alternative, consider Shenandoah National Park in Virginia. It attracted just 1.58 million visitors in 2023, yet boasts 500 miles of trails within the Appalachian region. Additionally, it offers a stunning fall-foliage road trip along Skyline Drive, which winds through the park for 105 miles.

Where to stay: Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge

Consider a stay at Blackwater Falls State Park Lodge, which underwent complete renovations in 2022. Dinogo contributor Madeline Weinfield highly recommends it, noting the breathtaking views: “With only 54 rooms, the lodge provides an intimate connection to nature while still offering the comfort of a real bed. Its location makes it perfect for immersive stargazing and, if you rise early enough, watching the sunrise over the falls.”

Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah

• Choose this instead of: Grand Canyon National Park

The Colorado River carved its path through the Colorado Plateau 5 to 6 million years ago, shaping the iconic landscapes of the 1.2-million-acre Grand Canyon National Park in northern Arizona. In 2023, it attracted 4.73 million visitors to its South, North, West, and East Rims. For a different perspective of the winding Colorado River and nearly equally stunning geological formations, drive about six hours northeast to experience the breathtaking vistas of Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah. Despite its unappealing name, this park welcomes only around a million visitors each year and provides remarkable views of the Colorado River as it snakes through layers of Southwestern rock, overlooking Canyonlands National Park to the southeast. Adventure seekers can also explore the area via its Intrepid Mountain Biking Trail system.

Where to stay: Dead Horse Point State Park

The state park features two campgrounds: Kayenta Campground and Wingate Campground, along with several yurts available for booking through the reservation website.

Goblin Valley State Park, Utah

• Opt for this instead of: Zion National Park

Utah’s “Big 5” parks—Zion, Arches, Capitol Reef, Canyonlands, and Bryce Canyon—attracted over 10 million visitors in 2023, with Zion alone receiving 4.62 million. While the thrilling Angels Landing hike is unique, many of the park’s stunning features, such as sandstone cliffs, slot canyons, hoodoos (top-heavy rock formations), and arches, can be found throughout the state. Located about 280 miles northeast of Zion, the 6,300-acre Goblin Valley State Park is celebrated for its distinctive hoodoos and surreal hiking trails. Its designation as an International Dark Sky Park offers visitors breathtaking starry nights, making it an appealing alternative.

Where to stay: Goblin Valley State Park

Goblin Valley State Park ranks among the top state parks in the country for camping. It features 25 available sites, along with two yurts for a unique overnight experience.

Custer State Park, South Dakota

• Opt for this instead of: Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park

As the first national park in the United States, Yellowstone is famous for good reason, welcoming around 4.5 million visitors in 2023. Similarly, the nearby Grand Teton National Park attracted 3.4 million travelers to its stunning mountainous vistas in the same year.

As an alternative, consider Custer State Park, located about 430 miles to the east, which sees only half the number of visitors compared to its more famous counterparts. With its expansive landscapes and abundant wildlife, it ranks among the top state parks in the region. Custer spans nearly 71,000 acres of rolling plains, where the 1,300 or so bison can be easily spotted (especially along the Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway). While you won’t find Yellowstone’s geothermal features here, this park boasts its own treasures, including granite spires and pillars soaring thousands of feet into the sky. Plus, the iconic Mount Rushmore is just 20 miles to the north.

Where to stay: Under Canvas Mount Rushmore

Experience glamping at Under Canvas’s Mount Rushmore location, situated less than four miles from Mount Rushmore National Monument and about 30 minutes from Custer State Park. The site features nine unique tent options, including a Stargazer Tent, which offers a viewing window above the king bed for stargazing.

Golden Gate Canyon State Park, Colorado

• Choose this instead of: Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is renowned for its stunning vistas, featuring over 60 peaks that soar above 12,000 feet—one being a “fourteener” (a peak exceeding 14,000 feet)—along with picturesque alpine lakes. The park attracts around 4.1 million visitors annually, with a reservation system in place to manage crowding. For those seeking less crowded Rocky landscapes, Golden Gate Canyon State Park offers 12,000 acres of serene beauty, welcoming only 1.58 million visitors in 2021. Located just 25 miles south of Boulder, the park boasts more than 35 miles of hiking trails, perfect for enjoying the fall colors of the aspens.

Bonus: In addition to state parks, wilderness areas also offer beautiful hiking trails and views similar to those found in national parks. (Wilderness areas are federally managed lands designed to remain largely untouched.) One such area is the Maroon Bells–Snowmass Wilderness in Colorado, located just outside Aspen, featuring several fourteeners like Castle and Maroon Peaks.

Where to stay: St. Julien Hotel & Spa

While Golden Gate Canyon has numerous campsites, consider returning to Boulder for a night at one of the finest hotels in the state. The St. Julien Hotel & Spa boasts a 10,000-square-foot spa (hence the name) along with spectacular views of the surrounding mountains.

Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, California

• Choose this instead of: Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park, situated in central California, attracted 3.9 million visitors in 2023, renowned for its towering sequoias and spectacular waterfalls (did you know Yosemite Falls is the tallest waterfall on the continent?). However, if you drive about 215 miles west to the Pacific Coast, you'll discover the lesser-known Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, affectionately dubbed “mini Yosemite” for its varied landscapes and peaceful ambiance. This roughly 1,000-acre park also boasts beautiful waterfalls, including the 60-foot Pfeiffer Falls.

Bonus: Many national forests in California provide scenery akin to that of Yosemite National Park, such as Sierra National Forest. Located less than a 10-minute drive from Yosemite, it encompasses portions of the Pacific Crest Trail and John Muir Trail (which overlap). Both regions feature stretches of the Sierra Nevada, offering similar geographical characteristics, including lakes, waterfalls, granite peaks, and pine forests, with an added sense of ruggedness.

Where to stay: Post Ranch Inn

Located five miles south of Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park, Post Ranch Inn perches on a cliff over 1,000 feet above the Pacific Ocean. According to Dinogo contributor Kathryn Romeyn, the hotel places a strong emphasis on wellness, offering experiences that include shaman healing sessions and meditation in the surrounding forests.