19 Stunning State Parks in the Western USA That Prove You Don’t Need National Parks For Incredible Landscapes
The western United States is home to some of the most incredible landscapes in the country, from towering red rock formations to dense forests of ancient trees. While the national parks get most of the attention (and deservedly so), the region’s state parks offer equally stunning scenery—usually without the overwhelming crowds.
These parks protect everything from rugged coastlines and slot canyons to towering sand dunes and alpine lakes, often with easier access and a more laid-back feel than their national park counterparts.
Some of these parks are well-known, while others fly completely under the radar, despite offering jaw-dropping views and unforgettable outdoor adventures. Many are just a short drive from major cities or national parks, making them easy to add to a trip.
If you’re searching for epic landscapes without the national park crowds, these western state parks are some of the best places to explore.
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19 Stunning State Parks in the Western USA
1. Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah
Dead Horse Point State Park offers one of the most stunning views in the West, with deep red canyons, towering mesas, and the Colorado River winding through the landscape far below. The park’s signature overlook showcases a dramatic gooseneck bend in the river, surrounded by sheer cliffs carved over millions of years.
The Dead Horse Point Overlook is the best place to take in the scenery, offering a panoramic view of the rugged canyons and plateaus. If you want to hike and explore more of the park, the West Rim Trail follows the canyon’s edge, providing different angles of the dramatic landscape. You can also do a complete loop of the West Rim and East Rim trails.
This state park is also one of the best spots in Utah to catch a sunset. As the sun dips lower, the red rock cliffs glow with deep oranges and purples, making for an unforgettable view.
2. Custer State Park, South Dakota
Covering 71,000 acres in the Black Hills of western South Dakota, Custer State Park is a mix of granite peaks, rolling plains, and clear mountain lakes. It’s one of the best places to experience South Dakota’s natural beauty, with scenic drives, hiking trails, and plenty of wildlife.
The Peter Norbeck Scenic Byway, which includes part of the beautiful Needles Highway, winds through some of the most incredible landscapes in the park, passing narrow tunnels, sharp rock formations, and sweeping overlooks.
One of the most picturesque spots is Sylvan Lake, a stunning alpine lake surrounded by towering rock formations. For hikers, the Cathedral Spires Trail and Black Elk Peak take you into the granite spires and peaks, surrounded by dramatic rock formations.
Wildlife is also a big draw—Custer is home to a massive bison herd, lively prairie dog towns, and the famous begging burros that often come right up to cars in search of a snack, among many other animals.
3. Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Just an hour from Las Vegas, Valley of Fire State Park is home to some of the most striking red rock landscapes in the Southwest. The park gets its name from the way the sandstone formations seem to glow under the sun, creating a dramatic and almost otherworldly scene.
The park is filled with towering cliffs, deep canyons, and unique rock formations, shaped by wind and water over millions of years. The Fire Wave is undoubtedly the most famous spot, with its layers of red, pink, and white sandstone swirling around the cone-shaped rock.
Other great hikes include the White Domes Trail, which has a short but scenic slot canyon and colorful rock layers, and the Mouse’s Tank Trail, an easy walk through a sandy canyon with petroglyph-covered rock walls.
The rest of the park is filled with interesting rock formations, slot canyon trails, striated rocks, and beautiful views – making this a must visit in Nevada.
4. Chino Hills State Park, California
Chino Hills State Park, located in the foothills of the Santa Ana Mountains between Los Angeles and Orange County in Southern California, is a hidden gem often overlooked by tourists.
This expansive park offers miles of hiking and biking trails, but its true claim to fame is the spectacular wildflower bloom each spring.
The peak blooms shifts every year but typically by late March to early April, the rolling green hills transform into a vibrant sea of predominantly yellow and some wildflowers. The display is so stunning that you can even spot it from all of the surrounding freeways!
The park’s diverse landscape of grasslands, woodlands, and chaparral makes it a haven for wildlife. Whether you’re looking for a scenic stroll or a longer trek, Chino Hills State Park provides a peaceful escape with some of the most underrated wildflower displays in Southern California.
Don’t forget your camera—this bloom is one for the books!
5. Samuel H Boardman State Park, Oregon
Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor is certainly one of Oregon’s most amazing state parks. It’s located along the scenic southern Oregon Coast, just a few miles north of Oregon’s southernmost coastal town, Brookings.
The park itself stretches for 12 miles along the Oregon Coast Highway (US 101) and was named for Oregon’s first state park superintendent. His original intent for this strip of land was for National Park recognition. Though it never achieved that status, the state park is still well worth your visit.
Samuel H Boardman features dramatic coastlines, hidden beaches, stunning vistas out to craggy sea stacks, and trails that will take you through 300-year-old Spruce tree forests. It’s a magical section of Oregon’s coastline.
Exploring this amazing state park is easy—as you drive the scenic highway, multiple turn-offs and parking areas take you to the incredible viewpoints and trailheads.
6. Roxborough State Park, Colorado
Roxborough State Park, located just 45 minutes south of Denver, Colorado, is known for its dramatic red sandstone formations.
The views of the red rocks rival those at Garden of the Gods in Colorado Springs and Red Rocks Park in Golden. However, unlike these well-known parks, few visitors have Roxborough State Park on their radar. The result? Stunning hiking trails without the crowds, giving you some of the best red rocks hikes in the Denver area.
One of these great trails is the Fountain Valley Trail, a wide and easy gravel path that winds past towering rock formations, and great views at Lyon’s Overlook. In addition to the views from the trail, hikers should be on the lookout for wildlife, such as mule deer, fox, and golden eagles.
With no bikers or dogs allowed on Roxborough’s trails, hikers will find that Roxborough State Park is a wonderfully peaceful break from the city.
7. Lime Kiln Point State Park, Washington
Lime Kiln Point State Park is one of the most unique state parks in Washington State, simply because of its location. Located on the western edge of San Juan Island in the San Juan Islands archipelago in the Salish Sea between Seattle and Bellingham, Washington, the only way to reach Lime Kiln Point is via the public car ferry, a boat of your own, or a plane.
Once you’ve reached this remote state park, you’ll enjoy views across the Haro Strait towards Vancouver Island. It’s a great spot to watch for orca whales, otters, seals, and other marine wildlife as well as shipping traffic. You can even listen for underwater whale activity at a listening station near the lighthouse.
A hiking trail loops through the state park and takes you right past an old lime kiln that was used in the 19th century to turn limestone into lime, an important industrial chemical. The park’s paths travel along the park’s rugged shoreline as well as into the island’s wooded interior.
With plentiful benches and picnic tables, be sure to pause a moment to enjoy island life or have a picnic.
8. Tonto Natural Bridge State Park, Arizona
Tonto Natural Bridge State Park is located between Phoenix and Sedona, and is home to the largest natural travertine bridge in the world, standing 183 feet high and spanning 150 feet across a nearly 400-foot-long tunnel.
Tonto Bridge was formed over thousands of years as mineral-rich water deposited travertine, gradually building up the massive arch. Even today, erosion from Pine Creek continues to shape the tunnel beneath.
The park features several hiking trails that offer different vantage points of the bridge. The Gowan Trail is the best option for those wanting a closer look—it leads down to the base of the bridge, where you can stand beneath the towering formation and see its intricate rock patterns up close.
For those who prefer to stay on higher ground, there are multiple scenic viewpoints that provide great views of the bridge from above.
9. Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
Located about 90 minutes from Arches National Park in Moab, Goblin Valley State Park is one of the most unusual landscapes in Utah. The valley is filled with thousands of mushroom-shaped rock formations—called goblins—that you can explore freely, climbing between them and wandering through the maze-like terrain.
The park is divided into three main valleys, each filled with its own clusters of goblins. Valley 1 is the most popular and easiest to access, with wide-open spaces and dense rock formations. Valley 2 and Valley 3 require a little more effort to reach but offer fewer crowds and even more unusual formations to explore.
There are a few more traditional hikes in Goblin Valley as well. The most popular one leads to Goblin’s Lair, a massive hidden cavern tucked among the rock formations, while another takes you to “The Three Sisters,” one of the largest and most recognizable goblin clusters in the park.
10. Smith Rock State Park, Oregon
About 30 minutes north of Bend in central Oregon, Smith Rock State Park rises dramatically from the Oregon high desert, its towering cliffs carved by the Crooked River. The park’s striking rock formations are the result of millions of years of volcanic activity, with layers of basalt and rhyolite tuff creating sheer walls that make it a world-class rock climbing destination.
Smith Rock is often called the birthplace of American sport climbing, with thousands of climbing routes—over a thousand of them bolted. The cliffs, which rise about 600 feet above the Crooked River, provide incredible views for both climbers and hikers.
One of the most unique things about the park is how it’s laid out—after crossing a low-lying bridge over the river, you’ll find yourself in a deep valley, surrounded by gorgeous golden-hued rock walls.
Hiking and rock climbing are very popular in Smith Rock, and both activities have a lot of opportunity for large elevation gain. The rock climbing routes range from 40 feet to 600 feet tall, while the steepest elevation gain hiking is more than 4,100 feet. This means that hikers will have the opportunity to look “down” at rock climbers, which is truly a bizarre sight to see.
Whether you come for the climb or just to take in the scenery, Smith Rock is one of the most breathtaking landscapes in Oregon, which is one of the best states in the USA.
11. Steamboat Lake State Park, Colorado
Steamboat Lake State Park is located 27 miles north of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. This beautiful park is centered around the lovely alpine lake with a backdrop of rolling foothills and the scenic Hahn’s peak. This view truly makes Steamboat Lake State Park one of the most scenic spots in the state.
The park is full of diverse activities for every visitor. Those looking to cool down can swim at the beach area, head to the boating area, or take a kayak out and paddle. Looking for trails? The park offers groomed trails in winter to go cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, and a few trails of varying distance in the summer that are both dog-friendly and accessible.
There are also nearly 200 campsites, so there’s plenty of opportunity to spend a long weekend relaxing up in the mountains. From camping to hiking to refreshing waters, everyone can find something just-right at Steamboat Lake State Park.
12. Snow Canyon State Park, Utah
Just outside St. George in southern Utah, Snow Canyon State Park is a stunning mix of red and white sandstone cliffs, black lava fields, and rolling dunes. Despite its name, there’s no snow here—just dramatic desert scenery shaped by ancient volcanic activity and shifting sand dunes.
The park is packed with unique trails that wind through slot canyons, petrified sand dunes, and lava tubes. Scout Cave is one of the best hikes, leading to a large sandstone cave with incredible views over the valley.
Jenny’s Canyon is a short but rewarding hike leading to a narrow slot canyon. Other great hikes include the Lava Flow Trail, where you can climb into old lava tubes, and the Hidden Pinyon Trail, which offers close-up views of the craggly orange rocks.
13. Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in California
Located in the Santa Cruz Mountains, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park is one of California’s 49 state parks dedicated to protecting redwood forests.
The 40+ acre park is home to towering coast redwoods, with the largest tree standing 277 feet tall, 16 feet wide, and around 1,500 years old. While the redwoods are the main attraction, the park also features diverse landscapes, including grasslands, sandhills, and river habitats.
Hiking is one of the best ways to experience the park, with trails winding through the massive redwoods. Mornings are particularly peaceful, and if the conditions are damp, you might spot one of Santa Cruz’s most famous residents—the bright yellow banana slug (they’re so beloved here that UC Santa Cruz even adopted them as their mascot).
Beyond hiking, the park also offers horseback riding, mountain biking, and swimming, making it a great stop for both adventure and relaxation. And if you need a little more adventure, the park is less than 20 minutes from the city of Santa Cruz, one of California’s popular surf towns.
14. Cathedral Gorge State Park, Nevada
Tucked away in eastern Nevada, Cathedral Gorge State Park is known for its dramatic slot canyons, towering rock spires, and rugged badlands.
The park’s soft clay formations have been carved by erosion into narrow passageways and cathedral-like columns, while rolling badlands hills with sharp ridges stretch across the landscape. The mix of deep canyons and exposed, weathered hills makes it a striking place to explore.
You can’t miss exploring the slot canyons in Cathedral Gorge—these narrow passageways twist through clusters of tall, textured rock spires that descend from the valley ridge. There are dozens of little slot canyons to explore—none of them very long as they are scattered along the ridgeline.
Another great spot in the park is Miller Point Trail. The path follows a river wash through a narrow canyon, with steep, rugged walls rising on either side. You’ll climb to the top of the canyon to admire the panoramic vista of sprawling ridgelines in front of you.
Plus, Cathedral Gorge is incredibly off-the-beaten-path—you just might have the entire park to yourself!
15. Deception Pass State Park Washington
Deception Pass State Park is a breathtaking 4,134-acre gem in Washington, spanning Whidbey and Fidalgo Islands. Just 80 miles (1.5 hours) north of Seattle, it’s a favorite getaway for locals.
Its crown jewel? The iconic Deception Pass Bridge, where visitors can soak in dramatic views of rugged cliffs and swirling waters below. For a different perspective, head to West Beach to admire the bridge from afar while you dip into the cold Puget Sound waters.
For water lovers, Bowman Bay and Cranberry Lake offer perfect spots for kayaking and paddleboarding. Hikers can explore 40 miles of trails, including the ADA-accessible Sand Dunes Trail, which winds through dunes, marshlands and past an ancient 800-year-old Douglas-fir.
Cap off your adventure at Rosario Beach, popular for its two beach coves, tidepools and picturesque hikes. From Rosario Head, enjoy stunning sunsets over the Olympic Mountains and keep an eye out for orcas, porpoises, and whales—a truly magical sight.
Steeped in the heritage of the Coast Salish tribes, Deception Pass State Park blends nature, history, and adventure into an unforgettable experience.
16. Lost Dutchman State Park, Arizona
Lost Dutchman State Park is located in eastern Phoenix in the Superstition Mountains, and is one of the best state parks in Arizona.
Legend says in the 1840s, a Mexican family discovered gold in these mountains, only to be ambushed by the Apache tribe soon after which killed the entire family except for two. Over the years maps to their gold mind surfaced before mysteriously vanishing.
In 1870 German immigrant, Jacob Waltz (the Dutchman) claimed he found the mine with the help of a descendant from the Mexican family. He kept the location a secret until his death in 1891, where he allegedly revealed the site of the mine to a close friend, but it has never been found today.
The history of the lost gold mine makes a visit to this park so intriguing, but the hikes are just as exciting. Most notably the Flatiron, a popular and strenuous hike leading you to an impressive overlook of the park. Along the way you’ll find abundant saguaro cacti, which are a must-see when exploring the deserts of Phoenix.
17. Torrey Pines State Park, California
Just north of San Diego, Torrey Pines State Natural Reserve is one of the best places to see California’s coastline in its natural state. The park sits on a series of coastal bluffs, with rugged sandstone cliffs, rare Torrey pine trees, and trails that overlook the Pacific. With no buildings or development in sight, it feels surprisingly wild for being so close to the city.
The park’s trails offer a mix of coastal and desert scenery, with sandy paths leading to overlooks and hidden coves.
The Beach Trail is a must-do, taking you from the cliffs down to the shore. Guy Fleming Trail is an easy loop with great ocean views. Razor Point Trail leads to jagged sandstone formations and a dramatic overlook of the coastline.
18. Ridgway State Park, Colorado
Located between Montrose, Colorado, and the northern end of Million Dollar Highway, Ridgway State Park is a sprawling outdoor destination for hikers, boaters, and campers. The reservoir at the heart of the park provides an excellent place for kayaking, paddleboarding, fishing, and swimming, while the many miles of trails wander through all three of the park’s sections.
Drive directly onto the wide, sandy beaches from the Dallas Creek entrance, or rent a paddle board near the swim beach at the marina in the Dutch Charlie section. Families can check out the free junior explorer backpacks to enhance their hikes and explorations around the park, or rent free fishing gear for the kids.
This state park has plenty to do for a multi-day stay, but it’s also incredibly convenient to Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, historic Ouray, and Telluride if you need a fun day out.
19. Hot Springs State Park, Wyoming
Hot Springs State Park in Thermopolis, Wyoming, is home to the world’s largest mineral hot spring.The park’s Big Spring constantly pumps out 135°F mineral-rich water, flowing into soaking pools and creating stunning mineral terraces along the Bighorn River.
The surrounding boardwalks lead you through the landscape, and wild bison roam the hills, adding to the park’s unique charm.
Boardwalks wind through the thermal landscape, and a free bathhouse keeps the water at a comfortable 104°F for soaking. A suspension bridge over the river provides one of the best vantage points of the terraces.
The park is also home to a roaming herd of wild bison, which can often be spotted on a scenic drive through the area. With beautiful views and relaxing hot springs, it’s a perfect place to unwind before exploring more of Thermopolis.
