{"id":15389,"date":"2018-01-18T20:52:25","date_gmt":"2018-01-19T01:52:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.southeasterntraveler.com\/?p=15389"},"modified":"2025-01-14T06:48:45","modified_gmt":"2025-01-14T11:48:45","slug":"10-favorite-state-parks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Favorite State Parks I&#8217;ve Visited So Far (Updated 2024)"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>It&#8217;s never easy trying to create a list of favorite destinations. It&#8217;s like asking a parent to choose a favorite child. But no matter how much that parent may opine about never being able to pick just one, in the back of their mind they do have a favorite. And so following on that bit of human nature, I guess I can create a list of favorite state parks I&#8217;ve visited so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Of course, that initial list was fifty strong. I&#8217;ve visited over 150 state parks in more than a dozen states. I visit them as frequently as national parks and big cities and beaches and mountains. Now, I had to whittle the list down to just my favorite.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My ten favorite state parks so far.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group toc-container\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Table of Contents<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"toc-list-top-column wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#map\">Map of Favorite State Parks<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ol class=\"toc-list-bottom wp-block-list\">\n<li><a href=\"#grayson-highlands-state-park\">Grayson Highlands State Park<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#watkins-glen-state-park\">Watkins Glen State Park<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#fort-macon-state-park\">Fort Macon State Park<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#huntington-beach-state-park\">Huntington Beach State Park<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#chimney-rock-state-park\">Chimney Rock State Park<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#cheaha-state-park\">Cheaha State Park<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#fort-loudon-state-historic-park\">Fort Loudon State Historic Park<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#natural-bridge-state-park\">Natural Bridge State Park<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"\/#cumberland-falls-state-resort-park\">Cumberland Falls State Resort Park<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><a href=\"#hickory-knob-state-resort-park\">Hickory Knob State Resort Park<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\t\t<section data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"27930\" class=\"elementor elementor-27930\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c478303 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"c478303\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-afb5e21 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"afb5e21\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-894aa4e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-child\" data-id=\"894aa4e\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-df83c1e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"df83c1e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">do you love<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3badda2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3badda2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">road trips?<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9eef3ab elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9eef3ab\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Sign up and be the first to read new road trip itineraries and destination guides.<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2c372a9 elementor-mobile-button-align-stretch elementor-button-align-stretch elementor-widget elementor-widget-form\" data-id=\"2c372a9\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;button_width&quot;:&quot;20&quot;,&quot;step_next_label&quot;:&quot;Next&quot;,&quot;step_previous_label&quot;:&quot;Previous&quot;,&quot;step_type&quot;:&quot;number_text&quot;,&quot;step_icon_shape&quot;:&quot;circle&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"form.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<form class=\"elementor-form\" method=\"post\" name=\"New Form\">\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"post_id\" value=\"27930\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"form_id\" value=\"2c372a9\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"referer_title\" value=\"Road Trips &amp; Coffee\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-form-fields-wrapper elementor-labels-\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-email elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-email elementor-col-80 elementor-field-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field-label elementor-screen-only\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tEmail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"email\" name=\"form_fields[email]\" id=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-md  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"Email\" required=\"required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-type-submit elementor-col-20 e-form__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"elementor-button elementor-size-md\" type=\"submit\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Sign Up<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/form>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-78e00f4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"78e00f4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Yes! I would like to receive updates, special offers, and other \ninformation from Road Trips &amp; Coffee.<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"map\">Map of Favorite State Parks<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-group\"><div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"map-frame\"><iframe src='https:\/\/www.google.com\/maps\/d\/embed?mid=1F9_uZbGWCSttGtoiC8rMAvBEJC-ATnE&#038;ehbc=2E312F' width='640' height='480'><\/iframe><\/div>\n<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"map-instructions\"><strong><strong>How to use this map<\/strong> | <\/strong>Click the icon in the top-left corner to open the Map Legend, then click on any of the legend items to display more information. If you have a Google account, click the (very faint) star at the end of the map&#8217;s name to save this map to your account, then access the map from your smartphone during your trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div style=\"height:100px\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"wp-block-spacer\"><\/div>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-mob uag-hide-mob\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=56285\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0232-1800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56285\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0232-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0232-1200x799.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0232-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0232-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0232-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0232-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0232.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"799\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=56286\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0267-799x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56286\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0267-799x1200.jpg 799w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0267-533x800.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0267-173x260.jpg 173w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0267-768x1153.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0267-1023x1536.jpg 1023w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0267-500x751.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0267-1200x1802.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20120802-appalachian-trail-jb0267.jpg 1332w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"preheader\">No. 01 <\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-grayson-highlands-state-park\">Grayson Highlands State Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is only one state park in the country where visitors can safely park a car overnight, hop on the Appalachian Trail to see the infamous <a rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" href=\"https:\/\/www.southeasterntraveler.com\/blog\/2015\/06\/the-wild-ponies-of-the-mount-rogers-national-recreation-area\/\" target=\"_blank\">wild ponies<\/a>, and spend the night camping near the tallest mountain in the state with dark skies and countless stars. But that doesn&#8217;t even begin to describe what Grayson Highlands State Park has to offer in Southwest Virginia (especially since all that is actually outside the park).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wild-ponies-mount-rogers-national-recreation-area\/\">How to See the Wild Ponies at Grayson Highlands State Park in Virginia<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Inside the park boundaries you&#8217;ll find gorgeous waterfalls along easy to hike <a href=\"https:\/\/www.southeasterntraveler.com\/blog\/2014\/10\/5-favorite-trails-at-grayson-highlands-state-park-in-virginia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">trails<\/a>, an historic homestead village to explore near a picnic area, and a comfortable campground with all the amenities you need for a great weekend escape in the great outdoors. There are also facilities for horseback riders to bring their own horses and ride the Virginia Highlands Horse Trail through and around the park. An observation deck near the very top provides a breathtaking view of the local mountain scenery and the Big Pinnacle Trail will give you that physical challenge you didn&#8217;t know you wanted.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>Grayson Highland Lane, Mouth of Wilson, VA | 276-579-7092 | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dcr.virginia.gov\/state-parks\/grayson-highlands#general_information\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.dcr.virginia.gov\/state-parks\/grayson-highlands<\/a> <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-mob uag-hide-mob\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=46414\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0068-1800x1200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46414\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0068-1800x1200.jpeg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0068-500x333.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0068-1200x800.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0068-390x260.jpeg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0068-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0068-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0068.jpeg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"799\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=56287\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0073-799x1200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56287\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0073-799x1200.jpeg 799w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0073-533x800.jpeg 533w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0073-173x260.jpeg 173w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0073-768x1153.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0073-1023x1536.jpeg 1023w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0073-500x751.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0073-1200x1802.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20180920-watkins-glen-state-park-jb0073.jpeg 1332w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"preheader\">No. 02<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-watkins-glen-state-park\">Watkins Glen State Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I had never been so happy to make a wrong turn in my life. The sun was already low and the gorge shrouded in shadow but that didn&#8217;t take away from the sheer magnificence of countless cascades, waterfalls, stone staircases, and carved tunnels at Watkins Glen State Park. While on a road trip from Syracuse to Chattanooga I was supposed to have taken a road from Seneca Falls to Ithaca to spend the night. I missed that turn, however, and instead found myself in Watkins Glen and suddenly all my plans changed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/gorge-trail-watkins-glen-state-park\/\">A Day on the Gorge Trail at Watkins Glen State Park<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I returned to the state park first thing the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.southeasterntraveler.com\/blog\/2017\/09\/epic-beauty-at-watkins-glen-state-park-in-new-york\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">next morning<\/a>. It was raining but I didn&#8217;t care. I grabbed my photography gear and started at the bottom of the gorge. The staircases and bridges are made of the same stone as the gorge so it all blends seamlessly. Tunnels have been carved in places to allow passage through the bedrock walls. I think there is an exact count of the waterfalls in the park, and all of them have names, but I&#8217;m just going to stick with &#8220;there&#8217;s a lot&#8221;. Towering waterfalls falling about fifty feet echo off the rock walls, cascades gently tumble alongside the stone path, and one stunning vista after another greets you around every bend in the path.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>1009 North Franklin Street, Watkins Glen, NY | 607-535-4511 | <a href=\"https:\/\/parks.ny.gov\/parks\/142\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/parks.ny.gov\/parks\/142\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-mob uag-hide-mob\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=46415\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0218-1800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46415\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0218-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0218-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0218-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0218-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0218-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0218-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0218.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"799\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=56288\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0223-799x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56288\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0223-799x1200.jpg 799w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0223-533x800.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0223-173x260.jpg 173w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0223-768x1153.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0223-1023x1536.jpg 1023w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0223-500x751.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0223-1200x1802.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20171221-fort-macon-state-park-jb0223.jpg 1332w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"preheader\">No. 03<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fort-macon-state-park\">Fort Macon State Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Fort Macon State Park has one of the most intact and awesome Civil War-era forts to explore in the country, and now they have a beautiful new visitor center to go along with it. Carved into the sand dunes at the tip of an island the park includes a wide beach and a short hiking trail, but the real attraction is the fort. A wooden bridge takes you across the mote and into the brick fort where you can meander through various rooms, some with modern displays and others left unfinished. It&#8217;s some of the best access to a fort anywhere.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/fort-macon-state-park-atlantic-beach-nc\/\">Exploring the Astonishing Fort Macon State Park in Atlantic Beach, NC<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Climb atop the fort&#8217;s walls to see the view across the ocean and down the island. Head into the mote to find the hidden magazines built into the outer walls and, yes, explore those as well. Look for the staircase inside the fort where a cannonball came down just perfectly enough to leave a tiny indentation in each step. Stick around for a rifle firing demonstration. Watch a video on the history of the fort. But whatever you do, be sure to enjoy the absolute beauty and freedom while exploring this brick and earthen fort.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>2303 East Fort Macon Road, Atlantic Beach, NC | 252-726-3775 | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.ncparks.gov\/fort-macon-state-park\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">www.ncparks.gov\/fort-macon-state-park<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-mob uag-hide-mob\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=46417\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0366-1800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46417\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0366-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0366-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0366-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0366-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0366-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0366-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0366.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"799\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=56289\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0357-799x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56289\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0357-799x1200.jpg 799w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0357-533x800.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0357-173x260.jpg 173w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0357-768x1153.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0357-1023x1536.jpg 1023w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0357-500x751.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0357-1200x1802.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20170317-huntington-beach-state-park-jb0357.jpg 1332w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"preheader\">No. 04<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-huntington-beach-state-park\">Huntington Beach State Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>This state park has long been my favorite place to photograph some wildlife. For one reason it&#8217;s ridiculously easy to get into a good position to capture photos of great egrets, blue herons, snow egrets, woodstorks, and even alligators. But another is the sheer abundance of wildlife. At some points during the change in tides (low to high tide is the best time) there can be hundreds of birds of nearly a dozen species spread across the salt water marsh immediately adjacent to the road through the park.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/huntington-beach-state-park-south-carolina\/\">8 Things to Do at Huntington Beach State Park in Murrells Inlet, SC<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some of the birds like the egrets and herons stick around all year. But one of the biggest draws for bird watchers and wildlife photographers to this park is that it&#8217;s a layover for many migrating birds. Spoonbills, with their unique bill and vibrant pink feathers, will stop in a couple of months each year for a spectacular show. Just across the road in the brackish ponds about three or four dozen alligators live, swim, and occasionally snag a blue crab. And just in case wildlife isn&#8217;t your sort of thing there are two big, beautiful beaches, a jetty for excellent fishing on the ocean, and Atalaya Castle to explore.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>16148 Ocean Highway, Murrells Inlet, SC | 843-237-4440 | <a href=\"https:\/\/southcarolinaparks.com\/huntington-beach\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">https:\/\/southcarolinaparks.com\/huntington-beach<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-mob uag-hide-mob\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=56290\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0135-1-1800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56290\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0135-1-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0135-1-1200x799.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0135-1-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0135-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0135-1-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0135-1-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0135-1.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=56291\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0152-800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56291\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0152-800x1200.jpg 800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0152-534x800.jpg 534w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0152-173x260.jpg 173w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0152-768x1151.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0152-1025x1536.jpg 1025w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0152-500x750.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0152-1200x1799.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210615-chimney-rock-state-park-jb0152.jpg 1334w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 800px) 100vw, 800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"preheader\">No. 05<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-chimney-rock-state-park\">Chimney Rock State Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>On July 4, 1916, Dr. Lucius Morse opened the Chimney Rock Nature Park. The grand opening was marked by the unfurling of a 375-square-foot American flag attached to a 60-foot pole on the Chimney Rock. The pole has changed, and the flag is replaced as needed, but the concept is still the same today \u2013 and it creates one of the most iconic vistas in North Carolina.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In 2008, I drove past this park hours after the gates had closed for the day. All I could do was admire the flat fluttering in the wind from the side of the road far below. But in 2021, I finally visit Chimney Rock State Park. Riding an elevator through a shaft blasted through solid rock, climbing a staircase into the Opera Box, I captured a photo I had wanted for years. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The state park features miles of hiking trials, including one to a waterfall tucked into the side of the mountain. The gift shop offers movie theater quality food with tables outside to enjoy the view. For the ultimate adventure, you can try rock climbing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>431 Main Street, Chimney Rock, NC | <\/em><a href=\"tel:1-828-625-9611\"><em>828-625-9611<\/em><\/a><em> | <\/em><a href=\"https:\/\/www.chimneyrockpark.com\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><em>www.chimneyrockpark.com\/<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=46418\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180513-cheaha-state-park-jb0154-1800x1200.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46418\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180513-cheaha-state-park-jb0154-1800x1200.jpeg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180513-cheaha-state-park-jb0154-500x333.jpeg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180513-cheaha-state-park-jb0154-1200x800.jpeg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180513-cheaha-state-park-jb0154-390x260.jpeg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180513-cheaha-state-park-jb0154-768x511.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180513-cheaha-state-park-jb0154-1536x1023.jpeg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20180513-cheaha-state-park-jb0154.jpeg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"preheader\">No. 06<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cheaha-state-park\">Cheaha State Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I stopped at the interstate welcome center as I left Georgia behind and entered Alabama. I asked the lady at the desk if there was anything cool to see nearby. &#8220;Well, the highest point in the state is nearby.&#8221; That&#8217;s how I discovered Cheaha Mountain, the highest point in Alabama at 2,411&#8242;. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cheaha State Park is built on top of the mountain. The Bunker Observation Tower, built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, offers a spectacular view from the summit of the mountain. The Bald Rock Trail and Pulpit Rock Trail offered different views of the landscape surrounding the mountain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/alabama-highest-point-cheaha-state-park\/\">Discovering Alabama\u2019s Highest Point at Cheaha State Park<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The campground is wonderfully peaceful, but the lake at the bottom of the mountain is the epitome of solitude. It only took two nights at this park to fall in love, and many more nights to rediscover over and over again. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>19644 Highway 281, Delta, AL | 256-488-5111 | <a href=\"https:\/\/www.alapark.com\/parks\/cheaha-state-park\">www.alapark.com\/parks\/cheaha-state-park<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=46419\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170710-fort-loudon-state-historic-park-jb0016-1800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46419\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170710-fort-loudon-state-historic-park-jb0016-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170710-fort-loudon-state-historic-park-jb0016-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170710-fort-loudon-state-historic-park-jb0016-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170710-fort-loudon-state-historic-park-jb0016-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170710-fort-loudon-state-historic-park-jb0016-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170710-fort-loudon-state-historic-park-jb0016-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20170710-fort-loudon-state-historic-park-jb0016.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"preheader\">No. 07<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-fort-loudon-state-historic-park\">Fort Loudon State Historic Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>I guess I keep coming back to this amazing little state park in the rolling hills of Tennessee because I have a personal connection. The first time I ever visited the friendly park ranger told me a story about how the fort in this park was the sight of the only time in history a British controlled fort was captured by Native Americans led by a Cherokee chief named Oconastota. I looked at the ranger and replied, &#8220;Oconastota is my twelfth great grandfather.&#8221; The look on his face was priceless and I&#8217;ve been coming back to this park ever since.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But why should you visit? How about the most impressive recreation of a British-era fort in the country? Or maybe the stunning views along the Little Tennessee River? It might be the ruins of the blockhouse across the river where traders and frontier settlers used sought protection during their journey. I think it&#8217;s watching the warm colors of sunset splash across the sky with a view of the Great Smoky Mountains behind the river.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>338 Fort Loudon Road, Vonore, TN | 423-884-6217 | <a href=\"http:\/\/tnstateparks.com\/parks\/about\/fort-loudoun\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/tnstateparks.com\/parks\/about\/fort-loudoun<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-mob uag-hide-mob\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1195\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=56292\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0068-1800x1195.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56292\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0068-1800x1195.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0068-1200x797.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0068-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0068-768x510.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0068-1536x1020.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0068-500x332.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0068.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"797\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=56293\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0063-797x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56293\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0063-797x1200.jpg 797w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0063-531x800.jpg 531w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0063-173x260.jpg 173w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0063-768x1157.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0063-1020x1536.jpg 1020w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0063-500x753.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0063-1200x1807.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20210919-natural-bridge-state-park-jb0063.jpg 1328w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 797px) 100vw, 797px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"preheader\">No. 08<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-natural-bridge-state-park\">Natural Bridge State Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Over millions of years, Cedar Creek slowly carved away limestone to create the 215 foot tall Natural Bridge. In 2016, the private attraction became Virginia&#8217;s 37th state park. And in 2021, I visited for the first time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>From the gargantuan visitor center, the 1.6-mile out and back Cedar Creek Trail passes beneath the limestone span, leads to Monocan Village, and ends at the 30-foot Lace Falls. It&#8217;s an easy hike that begins on pavement and ends on a well-maintained dirt path. Other trails in the park lead to caverns and scenic overlooks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>6477 South Lee Highway, Natural Bridge, VA | <a href=\"tel:1-540-291-1326\">540-291-1326<\/a> | <a href=\"http:\/\/www.dcr.virginia.gov\/state-parks\/natural-bridge\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">www.dcr.virginia.gov\/state-parks\/natural-bridge<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-mob uag-hide-mob\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=46420\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0292-1800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-46420\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0292-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0292-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0292-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0292-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0292-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0292-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0292.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"799\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=56294\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0307-799x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56294\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0307-799x1200.jpg 799w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0307-533x800.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0307-173x260.jpg 173w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0307-768x1153.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0307-1023x1536.jpg 1023w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0307-500x751.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0307-1200x1802.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20130528-cumberland-falls-state-park-jb0307.jpg 1332w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"preheader\">No. 09<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-cumberland-falls-state-resort-park\">Cumberland Falls State Resort Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The first time I ever visited this state park on the Cumberland Plateau the lady in the gift shop asked me a question that would change everything, &#8220;Have you seen the Moonbow yet?&#8221; It was later that afternoon when I returned to the land of reliable cell signal before I learned what the Moonbow was and immediately plans began to form. The Moonbow is a monthly event at the state park during the full moon when the light of the moon creates a rainbow effect in the mists of Cumberland Falls. Of course it has to be a clear night and the more mist from the &#8220;Niagara of the South&#8221; the better. It took me a year before I finally saw the event for myself.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/cumberland-falls-moonbow-kentucky\/\">How to See the Spectacular Moonbow at Cumberland Falls State Resort Park in Kentucky<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cumberland Falls State Resort Park has more to offer than just this monthly event better suited for night owls like myself. The waterfall is a gorgeous thing to behold with an observation area above the falls, below the falls, and about a half mile downriver. The trail continues awhile along the Cumberland River leading past a wide sandy beach perfect for a little getaway in the mountains. The lodge is a great place to spend a few nights and the restaurant has some pretty good food. Along with a few other hiking trails, a campground, and activities for kids this is a park I keep coming back to year after year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>7351 Highway 90, Corbin, KY | 606-528-4121 | <a href=\"http:\/\/parks.ky.gov\/parks\/resortparks\/cumberland-falls\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">http:\/\/parks.ky.gov\/parks\/resortparks\/cumberland-falls\/<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image uag-hide-mob uag-hide-mob\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1800\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=45983\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" data-pin-title=\"Travel Guide (and Honest Review) of Hickory Knob State Resort Park in South Carolina\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb166-1800x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-45983\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb166-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb166-500x333.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb166-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb166-390x260.jpg 390w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb166-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb166-1536x1023.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/08\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb166.jpg 2000w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1800px) 100vw, 1800px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab uag-hide-desktop uag-hide-tab\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"799\" height=\"1200\" data-pin-url=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/?tp_image_id=56295\" data-pin-nopin=\"1\" src=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb169-799x1200.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-56295\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb169-799x1200.jpg 799w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb169-533x800.jpg 533w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb169-173x260.jpg 173w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb169-768x1153.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb169-1023x1536.jpg 1023w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb169-500x751.jpg 500w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb169-1200x1802.jpg 1200w, https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/02\/20190916-hickory-knob-state-resort-park-jb169.jpg 1332w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 799px) 100vw, 799px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"preheader\">No. 10<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-hickory-knob-state-resort-park\">Hickory Knob State Resort Park<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>The resounding thunk of a heavy club striking a golf ball broke my reverie. I was sitting in a golf cart in the shade of a massive deciduous tree enjoying the utter peacefulness of the lake. A moment later, I saw the tiny white dot bounce and roll across the manicured grass. Golf is a big reason why people travel to Hickory Knob State Resort Park, but I was there for something else entirely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>READ MORE: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/hickory-knob-state-resort-park\/\">Travel Guide (and Honest Review) of Hickory Knob State Resort Park in South Carolina<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two nights in the comfortable lodge, the only lodge in a state park in South Carolina, kept me plenty rested. I spent my days shooting archery, exploring the golf course, and watching boats pass along Thurmond Lake. It was just about as peaceful as I could have ever hoped. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><em>1591 Resort Drive, McCormick, SC | 864-391-2450 | <\/em><a rel=\"noreferrer noopener\" href=\"https:\/\/southcarolinaparks.com\/hickory-knob\" target=\"_blank\"><em>southcarolinaparks.com\/hickory-knob<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"section\" data-elementor-id=\"47637\" class=\"elementor elementor-47637\" data-elementor-post-type=\"elementor_library\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b317ab2 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"b317ab2\" data-element_type=\"container\" id=\"mediavine-advertisement-desktop\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-91875b8 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"91875b8\" data-element_type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-450af8e elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"450af8e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">advertisement<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7685227 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7685227\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"content_hint\">\u00a0<\/div>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I&#8217;ve visited over 100 state parks across the country, but which ones are my favorite? Here&#8217;s the list of the best of the best.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":56292,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3926],"tags":[265],"national-forest-acf":[],"national-park-sites":[],"sponsored-post":[],"states-regions":[4068,4072,4031,4076,4077,4078],"test":[],"travel-resources":[],"resources":[],"holiday":[],"locations":[3490,3502,3505,3496,3495,3497,3511],"rev-war":[],"class_list":["post-15389","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-destination","tag-state-park","states-regions-alabama","states-regions-kentucky","states-regions-new-york","states-regions-south-carolina","states-regions-tennessee","states-regions-virginia","locations-alabama","locations-kentucky","locations-new-york","locations-north-carolina","locations-south-carolina","locations-tennessee","locations-virginia"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.9 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>10 Favorite State Parks I&#039;ve Visited So Far (Updated 2024)<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"I&#039;ve visited over 100 state parks across the country, but which ones are my favorite? Here&#039;s the list of the best of the best.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.roadtripsandcoffee.com\/10-favorite-state-parks\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"10 Favorite State Parks I&#039;ve Visited So Far (Updated 2024)\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I&#039;ve visited over 100 state parks across the country, but which ones are my favorite? 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