After the last two years, everyone is looking to take a deep breath of fresh air and reconnect with nature – and parks all over the country are experiencing record-breaking numbers of visitors.  

We invite you to escape the hustle and bustle of modern life with a stunningly beautiful and truly unbeatable trip to a state park near you. Sponsored and maintained by each state, these lesser-known parks are both conveniently located to some of the best cities and attractions and they also offer a perfect taste of what makes each state great.  

Mammoth Spring State Park 
Arkansas 

Enjoy the mountains and the refreshingly cool waters of the Ozarks at Mammoth Spring State Park. The largest spring in Arkansas, Mammoth Spring is the seventh-largest natural spring in the world. Delightfully dazzling water emerges from the spring and creates excellent conditions for trout fishing and an abundant flow of nine million gallons of water per hour, Mammoth Springs is a perfect choice for water sports. Forming a 10-acre lake that runs into the Spring River, a famous Ozark trout and float stream, the historic remnants of a mill, a hydroelectric plant, an 1886 Frisco train depot and a museum can all be seen while visiting the state park. Located along the Arkansas-Missouri border, the Mammoth Springs State Park invites guests to explore the Ozarks, visit historic artifacts and landmarks, and stand in the cool and refreshing waters of Arkansas’s largest spring.  
arkansasstateparks.com/parks/mammoth-spring-state-park 

Panola Mountain State Park 
Georgia 

An extraordinary park located near Atlanta, the Panola Mountain State Park was originally created to protect and preserve a 100-acre granite mountain. With minimal development over the years, this Georgia State Park is home to many rare plants found only in the Piedmont region.  Hikers explore the park’s watershed and granite outcrop or enjoy park-led hikes onto the restricted-access area of the mountain. Because of its delicate ecological features and dedication to preservation, Panola Mountain was designated a National Natural Landmark – only 15 minutes from Atlanta. A recreational haven for all ages, Panola Mountain State Park offers a wide variety of activities and adventures for everyone. Children love visiting the animal exhibits in the interpretive center and the playground and cyclists, roller-skaters, and joggers enjoy smooth paved PATH trails. Offering archery, geocaching, orienteering, birding, and tree-climbing programs – the Panola Mountain State Park features an ample variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Home to early settlers, immigrant rock cutters, freed slaves and even Trappist monks, the park’s unusual natural beauty and intriguing cultural changes fascinate visitors. The crown jewel of the Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area – the Panola Mountain State Park is a pristine and remarkable ecological treasure in the heart of the Peach State.
gastateparks.org/PanolaMountain 

Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park 
Kentucky 

For all the history buffs, the Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park is a dream come true. Retrace the steps of Daniel Boone and ancient buffaloes and visit the site of the last battle of the Revolutionary War. Take a step back in time and experience life as our forefathers once did at the Pioneer Museum.  

Watch for birds all year round, like solitary sandpipers, red-headed woodpeckers, migratory species like Cerulean Warblers, and birds of prey like the American Kestrel. Home to the federally endangered Short’s Goldenrod, Blue Licks’s 15-acre nature preserve is a great place to view wildflowers in bloom. Take the canoe to the Licking River and enjoy the scenic river views. Head to the 18-hole miniature golf course – perfect for fun family entertainment. With a variety of lodging accommodations like campsites, cottages, guestrooms, and suites, the Blue Licks Battlefield State Resort Park invites you to discover your perfect getaway.
parks.ky.gov/carlisle/parks/historic/blue-licks-battlefield-state-resort-park 

Chickasaw State Park 
Tennessee 

Over 1,400 acres sprawling through Hardeman and Chester Counties in West Tennessee, the Chickasaw State Park is one of West Tennessee's best-kept secrets. Named for the Chickasaw Tribe who once inhabited West Tennessee and North Mississippi, the State Park was one of Tennessee’s 20 New Deal-era state parks established in 1955. Situated on some of the highest terrains in west Tennessee, Chickasaw State Park offers various activities for visitors to embark on including more than four miles of easy to moderate hiking trails and bicycle-friendly roads. Guests can utilize the rowboats and pedal boats available for rent on Lake Placid, or enjoy golfing, paddling, birdwatching, swimming, fishing, and horseback riding. With three campground sites featuring RV camping, tent camping, and horse-wrangler camping. Spend the night surrounded by history at one of the 13 historic Works Progress Administration (WPA) cabins available for rent near Lake Placid. Discover the beauty, nature, and history of West Tennessee at Chickasaw State Park.
tnstateparks.com/parks/Chickasaw 

Pedernales Falls State Park 
Texas 

A tranquil place to relax and recharge, Pedernales Falls State Park is a perfect afternoon, just 30 minutes west of Austin. At Pedernales Falls State Park, visitors swim, hike, and embrace adventure. Watch for local wildlife and plants at the Park's bird blind or butterfly garden. A strenuous ¼-mile hike up steep rock stairs leads park-goers to one of the Park's favorite swim areas. Scenic Hill Country trails range from easy to challenging, wind along canyons, over mountains, and overlook the beautiful vistas created below by the Mescal and Tobacco creeks. Cool your heels at Arrowhead Pool and test your mountain biking skills on the new Juniper Ridge Trail, a 10-mile technical single-track trail with plenty of obstacles to entertain advanced riders. Drop your kayak, canoe, or inner tube and paddle down the Pedernales River. At Pedernales Falls State Park – the river awaits!
tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/pedernales-falls

Boondocking 

Boondocking is a term used by RV-ers to describe RVing without being connected to utilities like water or electricity. Also referred to as "drydocking", this type of camping lets travelers get closer to nature, a bit more "off the grid", and all while enjoying the comfort of a warm, cozy bed.  

Curry Hammock State Park  
Florida 

A strikingly beautiful stretch of the Keys, Curry Hammock State Park is an untarnished sanctuary enticing the most discerning of travelers. Halfway between Key Largo and Key West, the 1,000-acre park protects a large swatch of mangrove swamp, rockland hammocks, and seagrass beds – all essential to the ecosystem of the Keys. The largest uninhabited parcel of land between Key Largo ad Big Pine Key, Curry Hammock State Park is the ideal destination to kayak, paddleboard, and relax along the Atlantic Ocean.  
floridastateparks.org/parks-and-trails/curry-hammock-state-park 

Vogel State Park  
Georgia 

One of Georgia’s oldest and most beloved state parks, Vogel State Park sits 2,500 feet above sea level at the base of Blood Mountain, the highest summit along Georgia’s Appalachian Trail. Rich in history, the park delivers on incredible amenities and epic scenery. Guests dive into the park’s 22-acre lake, open to non-motorized boats, and sunbathe with stunning mountain views along the beach. The second oldest state park in Georgia, visitors enjoy a variety of trails along the Blue Ridge Mountains and natural entertainment, like the legendary Trahlyta Falls and Lake. Experience the wondrous beauty of Mother Nature at Vogel State Park.
gastateparks.org/Vogel 

For an incredible getaway, we invite you to explore any of the many State Parks. Whether on the road, or looking for fun in your own backyard, the South's State Parks are rich with natural splendor, historic treasures, and awe-inspiring beauty.