6 States to Visit When On Vacation

Nebraska

2012-06-21T16:28:00.001-07:00

Eastern Nebraska was acquired in 1803, as part of the Louisiana Purchase, and in 1843 the Western half was acquired as part of the treaty following the Mexican War. On March 1^st 1867 it entered the Union as the 37^th state. The state attracts a wide variety of sportsmen, campers, along with recreation enthusiasts due to its large amount of fresh and alkali lakes. Actives include fishing, hunting, camping, stage and pony express rides, historical exhibits, in addition to historical venues from pioneers such as Lewis and Clark.

Nebraska boasts over 80 state and recreational parks that attract thousands of visitors on a yearly basis. To learn more about the recreational opportunities that Nebraska has to offer you can visit the Game and Parks website.

For further information you can also visit the Division of Travel and Tourism.

Alexandria State Recreation Area – Fairbury, NE
Alexandria is a small recreational park that hosts traditional overnight camping spots surrounding 2 lakes. It offers picnicking, boating, fishing, along with some sites providing 30-amp electrical hook-ups. It is approximately 22 miles from Rock Creek State Historical Park where “Wild Bill” Hancock began his infamous career.
Arbor Lodge State Historical Park – Nebraska City, NE
Arbor Lodge was the home to J. Sterling Morton, who was the founder of Arbor Day. The site is host to the Arbor Day Museum; which includes a visitor’s center of the historic mansion, hiking trails, and a picnicking area.
Arnold State Recreation Area – Anselmo, NE
Arnold State is a traditional camping area that offers a quiet getaway for people who wish to enjoy the Nebraska outdoors. The site includes a camping area, 22-acre lake for boating, picnicking, and electrical amp hook-ups.
Ash Hollow State Historical Park – Lewellen , NE
Ashen Hollow is a 1000-acre park that offers a wide range of activities that include a visitor’s center, viewing bones of prehistoric rhinoceros, mammoths, mastodons, pioneer history displays, and a gift shop.
Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park – Royal, NE
Ashfall Fossil Beds State Historical Park is a joint project of the Nebraska Game and Parks Commission and the University Of Nebraska State Museum. The site offers a family educational experience to view ongoing excavations, historical trip to view wildlife before modern man ventured into the Great Plains, along with picnicking areas.
Atkinson Lake State Recreation Area – Bassett, NE
Atkinson Lake has 40 acres of land and a 14-acre lake on the Elkhorn River. The area is fairly flat and partially forested with tree lines. The area offers fishing, picnicking, wildlife viewing, electrical hookups and traditional camping.
Blue River State Recreation Area – NE
Blue River State Recreation Area only provides day-time "walk-in" pedestrian river access, fishing, and picnicking areas.
Bluestem State Recreation Area – NE
Bluestem State Recreation Area campground is a 742-acre state recreation area that offers fishing, swimming, picnicking and traditional camping for outdoors enthusiasts. Campers and picnickers have up-to-date facilities, along with a swimming beach, drinking water, toilets and dump station. There is also an archery range for those who want to sharpen their skills.
Bowman Lake State Recreation Area – Loup City, NE
Bowman Lake is a 23-acre area located near Loup City and Sherman Reservoir. This area offers picnicking, fishing and traditional camping.
Bowring Ranch State Historical Park – Merriman, NE
Bowring Ranch was donated by former U.S. Senator Eve Bowring in memory of her husband. The ranch displays fine antique china, crystal and silver as well as memorabilia from their active public service careers.
Box Butte Reservoir State Recreation Area – Crawford, NE
Box Butte Reservoir is a 2,212-acre recreation area that offers electrical and traditional camping, water, boat ramp, fish cleaning station, unsupervised swimming, picnic tables, shelters, vault toilets, fishing and hiking.
Branched Oak State Recreation Area – Raymond, NE
Branch Oak is a 5,595-acre recreation area with 12 camping sites throughout the park. The area has 4 boat ramps, fish cleaning stations, private marina and concession, several miles of hiking, biking and horse trails, including an area where camping is allowed with horses. A nationally recognized dog trial area is located there.
Bridgeport State Recreation Area – Gering, NE
Bridgeport State is a 197-acre area that lies adjacent to the North Platte River. The recreation area offers picnicking, fishing, swimming and camping. Facilities include picnic tables, shelters, fire grates, drinking water, trailer dump station and vault toilets.
Brownville State Recreation Area – Brownville, NE
Browville recreation area is managed by the city of Brownville. It offers fishing and picnicking.
Buffalo Bill Ranch State Recreation Area – North Platte, NE
Buffalo Bill Ranch is part of Buffalo Bill State Historical Park, this state recreation area offers camping along the Platte River, pads with electricity, primitive sites and a group picnic shelter.
Buffalo Bill Ranch State Historical Park – North Platte, NE
Buffalo Bill State Historical Park is located next door to the Buffalo Bill State Recreation Area. This recreation area offers beautiful camping along the Platte River. Buffalo Bill Ranch recaptures the life and career of the famed Pony Express rider, Army scout, and buffalo hunter turned showman.
Calamus State Recreation Area – Burwell, NE
Calamus Reservoir is home to some of the state's best recreational opportunities. This includes opportunities such as camping, fishing, boating, hiking, sightseeing and hunting. The 5,124-acre lake is surrounded by 4,958 acres of gently rolling land, covered with native grasses and forbs.
Chadron State Park – Chadron, NE
Chadron State Park is a 972-acre park that lies in the Nebraska National Forest. The park offers a swimming pool, horseback trail rides, tennis and sand volleyball courts, craft center, snack bar, souvenirs, paddle boats on the picturesque lagoon, fishing, hiking, evening programs, picnic tables, shelters (which can be reserved), water, dump station, showers and modern restrooms.
Champion Lake State Recreation Area – Enders, NE
Champion Lake is a 2-acre tract of land located on an 11-acre lake. The area offers picnicking, fishing and 8 primitive campsites.
Champion Mill State Historical Park –Enders, NE
Champion Mill is the last functional water-powered mill in Nebraska, which offers day time tours of the building and its grounds. Camping is available at the Champion Lake State Recreation Area.
Cheyenne State Recreation Area –Grand Island, NE
Cheyenne is a former wayside area with a 15-acre pond. The area offers fishing, camping and picnicking.
Conestoga State Recreation Area – Lincoln, NE
Conestoga is a 230-acre Corps of Engineers flood control reservoir with 486 acres of land. The area offers power boating, picnicking and fishing.
Cottonwood Lake State Recreation Area – Merriman, NE
Cottonwood has a lake encompassing 60 acres and 180 acres of land adjacent. The area is partially forested and offers power boating, picnicking and swimming.
Cowboy Trail – Lincoln, NE
Cowboy Trail is a projected 321 mile long trail that is currently being developed. The trail encompasses 221 bridges that require more than 3.5 miles of decking. The trail follows the gentle slopes of the old Chicago Northwestern rail line which allows easy peddling for biking.
Crystal Lake State Recreation Area – Doniphan, NE
Crystal Lake is a 33-acre park adjacent to the Little Blue River and features a 30-acre lake. The area offers picnicking, swimming, a playground along with a tennis court.
Dead Timber State Recreation Area - Scribner, NE
Dead Timber is a 200-acre area near Scribner on the Elkhorn River, which has 50 acres of water and offers traditional camping, picnicking, fishing and non powered boating. The area has 17 pads with 30-amp electrical hookups.
DLD State Recreation Area - Doniphan, NE
DLD is a former wayside area encompassing 7 acres of land. The area offers picnicking and 4 non-designated campsites.
Enders Reservoir State Recreation Area - Enders, NE
Enders Reservoir has 3,278 acres of land on a 1,707-acre lake, part of which is a waterfowl refuge. There are modern restrooms, coin-operated showers, dump station, fish cleaning station, and 32 (30-amp) hook-ups.
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park - Ashland, NE
Eugene T. Mahoney State Park offers year-round accommodations and recreational use. The dominant feature of the park, the Peter Kiewit Lodge, offers 40 guest rooms, each with private bath. There are sleeping lofts and fireplaces in 16 rooms.
Fort Atkinson State Historical Park - Fort Calhoun, NE
Fort Atkinson was established in 1820 on recommendation of the Lewis and Clark expedition. The grounds are open year-round, and the Harold W. Andersen visitor center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. during the summer. There is a small picnic area near the fortification parking area. While no food or lodging is available at the park, camping, restaurants and overnight accommodations are available nearby.
Fort Hartsuff State Historical Park - Burwell, NE
Fort Hartsuff's Visitor Center is located in a historical building built in 1874, which originally housed the commanding officer's office. The area's Visitor Center features interpretive displays and brochures. The gift shop includes books for the serious historian along with a wide range of gifts for people of all ages.
Fort Kearny State Historical Park - Kearney, NE
Fort Kearny near Kearney was a stage station, home station for the Pony Express, outfitting depot for Indian campaigns and home of the Pawnee Scouts. Camping is available at nearby Fort Keany State Recreation Area.
Fort Kearny State Recreation Area - Kearney, NE
Fort Kearny consists of an area that is 186-acres which is dotted with sandpit lakes. In the spring, the world's largest concentration of sand hill cranes and waterfowl gathers in the central Platte River valley. Facilities include electrical and traditional camp pads, showers, dump station, modern restrooms, water, picnic tables, grills, shelters, wheelchair-accessible fishing pier, nature trail, non power boating and hike-bike trail.
Fort Robinson State Park - Crawford, NE
Fort Robinson is western Nebraska's premier state park, with more than 22,000 acres of exquisite Pine Ridge scenery, compelling old west history, exceptional lodging, loads of fun-time activities, scenic camping and the park's own buffalo and longhorn herds.
Fremont Lake State Recreation Area - Fremont, NE
Fremont has around 40 land acres and nearly 300 water acres in 20 sandpit lakes. Facilities include modern campgrounds with dump stations, picnic tables, shelter houses, fireplaces, playground equipment, water, lights, modern restrooms and boat launch sites.
Gallagher Canyon State Recreation Area - Elwood, NE
Gallagher Canyon offers access to the 400-acre Johnson Lake. Traditional camping is offered on the 24-acre area. Gallagher Canyon offers good spring crappie fishing in the coves, as well as channel and flathead catfish. Drum and carp are common catches also. The area has a gravel boat ramp.
Indian Cave State Park - Shubert, NE
Indian Cave State Park has 3,052-acres bordering the mighty Missouri River. Indian Cave is a pristine area, devoted to camping, hiking and backpacking, picnicking, nature and wilderness activities. Campers can make reservations 1 year to three days in advance of arrival for campsite numbers 1-70 by calling the reservation call center at (402)471-1414 9 am - 6 pm, Monday-Friday
Johnson Lake State Recreation Area - Elwood, NE
Johnson Lake Recreation Area is 68-acres, and provides three access points to the 2,068-acre lake. Campers will find electrical hookups, non-pad sites, showers, modern restrooms, dump station, water, picnic tables, grills, shelters, vault toilets, boat ramp, fish cleaning stations, swimming beach and accessible fishing piers.
Keller Park State Recreation Area - Bassett, NE
The Keller Park 196-acre area has 10 acres of water which includes access to five fishing ponds. Nature lovers will find the area a gathering zone for all types of wildlife, from songbirds to whitetails and an occasional mule deer. The campground has electrical hookups and traditional tent camping.
Lake Maloney State Recreation Area - North Platte, NE
Lake Maloney offer campsites with electrical hookups, a dump station, water, boat ramps, swimming, vault toilets, picnic tables, fish cleaning stations and grills. The campground area has 132-acres on a 1,000-acre lake.
Lake McConaughy State Recreation Area - Ogallala, NE
Lake McConaughy is Nebraska's largest reservoir at 35,700 acres, and has a spectacular Visitor-Water Interpretive Center. The center houses parks offices, aquariums, a theater with interactive displays that interpret the benefits of the Platte River and the High Plains Aquifer.
Lake Minatare State Recreation Area - Minatare, NE
Lake Minatare recreation area claims choice camping and boating facilities. The modern campground has gravel pads with electrical hookups, modern restrooms and showers. It is home of Nebraska's only lighthouse and a federal waterfowl refuge. Lake Minatare is closed each year from October 15 - January 15 for all camping and lake use as it is a Wildlife Refuge for migratory birds.
Lake Ogallala State Recreation Area - Ogallala, NE
Lake Ogallala has 320 acres of water and 339 acres of land and is located below the Kingsley Dam Hydroelectric Plant. This area offers a shady modern campground with 82 pads, 62 have electrical hook-ups. There is an additional 180 non-designated campsites. All campers must register and reservations are accepted up to one year in advance.
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area - Crofton, NE
Lewis and Clark State Recreation Area offers housekeeping cabins situated on the shore of Lewis and Clark Lake, offering a beautiful scenic view of the lake and the bluffs. The cabins can be rented one year in advance. Camping facilities are excellent at Lewis & Clark SRA, and this has been an extremely popular area with campers and boaters for a long time. RVers will find some choice new facilities, complete with 30/50-amp electrical hookups.
Long Lake State Recreation Area - Bassett, NE
Long Lake State Recreation Area is a natural sand hill lake consisting of 155 acres at normal water level that offers local fishing. A camping and picnic area is on the southwest shore of the lake and is equipped with tables, fireplaces and toilets.
Long Pine State Recreation Area - Bassett, NE
Long Pine is a 153-acre tract of Pine Ridge land straddling Long Pine Creek. The area offers traditional camping, hiking, picnicking, wildlife viewing, and an archery range.
Louisville State Recreation Area - Louisville, NE
Louisville hosts 192-acres and has five sandpit lakes with some 50 surface acres of water. Surrounded by towering cottonwood trees, this inviting area offers picnicking, swimming, fishing, non-power boating, and canoe access to the Platte River in addition to camping.
Medicine Creek State Recreation Area - Cambridge, NE
Medicine Creek State Recreation Area and wildlife land encompasses some 8,500 acres of public land and water in southeastern Frontier County. Medicine Creek State Recreation Area has 4 lakefront cabins on the East Side of the lake in the Shady Bay Campground, Trail 4. Each two-bedroom cabin is approximately 532 square feet has air conditioning, full bathroom, furnished kitchen and a covered deck overlooking the lake.
Memphis State Recreation Area – NE
Memphis State Recreation Area is a 163-acre state recreation area with a 48-acre lake. The area offers Traditional camping, fishing, hiking, picnicking and wildlife viewing. Nearby attractions include the Strategic Air and Space Museum, and Eugene T. Mahoney State Park.
Merritt Reservoir State Recreation Area - Valentine, NE
Merritt Reservoir offers some of Nebraska's premiere fishing. It is a deep lake with excellent inflow from the Snake River and Boardman Creek. Cedar Bay Campground offers 28 electrical campsites. Traditional overnight facilities are available at all the areas on this scenic reservoir, along with drinking water and vault toilets. Merritt Dam Trading Post, the area concession, is located at the east end of the dam and offers fee camping with water and electrical hookups.
Mormon Island State Recreation Area - Doniphan, NE
Mormon Island hosts a spectacular gathering each spring, as hundreds of thousands of sand hill cranes stop to rest and pursue their courtship rituals. The world's largest concentration of these magnificent birds draws thousands of visitors to the region every year. Mormon Island offers modern camping facilities, restrooms, electrical hookups, a shower building and a laundromat.
Niobrara State Park - Niobrara, NE
Niobrara State Park offers a modern swimming pool, horseback trail rides led by wranglers, fishing in the nearby rivers, hiking the 14 miles of trail, bird watching, and other nature studies. Niobrara State Park also offers beautiful tent camping spots tucked in to the hills overlooking the confluence of the Niobrara and Missouri Rivers.
North Loup State Recreation Area - Doniphan, NE
North Loup is a 13-acre area adjacent to the Loup River with 2 ponds totaling 7 acres. This area offers fishing, picnicking, a playground and primitive campsites.
Olive Creek State Recreation Area – NE
Olive Creek State Recreation Area has 612 (437 For Hunters) acres of land and water available to outdoor recreation enthusiasts. Although small, the 175-acre lake supports a variety of fish from largemouth bass to bluegill to two kinds of catfish, making for a diversity of fishing excitement.
Oliver Reservoir State Recreation Area - Gering, NE
Oliver Reservoir has over 917-acres of land and a 270-acre lake, Oliver Reservoir State Recreation Area is the only water based recreational facility in the southwest Panhandle. This area offers camping; power boating, fishing, picnicking and a swimming beach.
Pawnee State Recreation Area - Lincoln, NE
Pawnee State has more than 1,800 acres of land are open to hiker, hunters, shutterbugs and anyone else who enjoys the out-of-doors. Hunters will find abundant upland and small game, waterfowl and deer.
Pelican Point State Recreation Area - Fort Calhoun, NE
Pelican Point is a 36-acre tract of land adjacent to the Missouri River. This area has a picnic shelter and traditional camping.
Pibel Lake State Recreation Area – NE
Pibel Lake is a 72-acre state recreation area set in a small valley hidden from the highway. The lake was recently renovated and stocked with bluegills, largemouth bass and channel catfish. A boat dock for smaller boats also has been added.
Pioneer State Recreation Area – NE
Pioneer State Recreation Area is for day use only. No facilities.
Platte River State Park - Louisville, NE
Platte River State Park is an innovative area, where the Commission has implemented some intriguing concepts in park lodging, management and design. Activities range from swimming at the supervised pool to guided horseback trail rides through the timbered hills. Sights to see include the quaint Red Barn (converted to a group camp) and a charming little waterfall. Recreational equipment is available at Owen Landing, where you can rent a paddleboat to churn around Jenny Newman Lake. At sunset, free campfire programs that change regularly are on tap at the amphitheater.
Ponca State Park - Ponca, NE
Ponca State Park features one of the state's most comprehensive outdoor/environmental education programs. Onsite staff and volunteers are available to provide visitors with hands-on educational opportunities in cultural and natural history, conservation and stewardship, along with outdoor skills. Outdoor skill programs include outdoor cooking, shooting sports, fishing, orienteering, hunting, and much more. Programs are given daily Memorial Day through Labor Day and on weekends only during the spring and fall.
Red Will Reservoir State Recreation Area – McCook, NE
Red Willow Reservoir covers 1,628 acres of the nearly 6,000 acres managed for public recreation and wildlife. Some of the finest fishing and hunting in the state are found at Red Willow, and they are excellent facilities for camping and water-oriented recreation. Willow View Campground offers electrical camp sites with a panoramic view of the lake.
Riverview Marina State Recreation Area - Nebraska City, NE
Riverview Marina has access to the Missouri River, which makes it very popular. It is a 47-acre site adjacent to the Missouri River that offers electrical and primitive campsites with a shower house. The area offers camping, fishing and picnicking.
Rock Creek Lake State Recreation Area - Enders, NE
Rock Creek State Recreation Area is a 50-acre lake on Rock Creek with 54 acres of land. This area offers camping, hiking, boating, fishing and picnicking. There are non-designated campsites available.
Rock Creek Station State Recreation Area - Fairbury, NE
Rock Creek has an area designated where visitors can camp with their horses. Some corrals are available or visitors may use their own portable pens or tie to trailer. The horse camp is traditional camping with a vault toilet, water, campfire rings, and picnic tables.
Rock Creek Station State Historical Park - Fairbury, NE
Rock Creek Station Visitor Center overlooks some 350 acres of prairie hilltops, timber-studded creek bottoms, rugged ravines and deep trail ruts. A visit to the Visitor Center can help start a mental journey back to the 1800's. Interpretation of the road ranches, "Wild Bill" Hickok and tales of trail traffic bear mute testimony to the rich history of the area.
Rockford State Recreation Area – NE
Rockford offers shady primitive campsites and campsites with electricity around a 150-acre lake. The area offers boating, fishing, and picnicking.
Sandy Channel State Recreation Area - Kearney, NE
Sandy Channel is a 134-acre area adjacent to the Platte River with 47 acres of ponds. The area offers traditional camping. Travelers can visit the Chevy land U.S.A. Auto Museum. While you're at Sandy Channel, you may see some of the local scuba divers enjoying the local underwater scenery.
Schramm Park State Recreation Area - Louisville, NE
Schramm Park is another picturesque Platte River area and home of the exceptional Ak-Sar-Ben Aquarium. Also the site of the state's first fish hatchery (1882), the old hatch house is now a fish management museum, and there is an interesting geologic display nearby. The picnic areas offer spectacular views of the countryside, and there is a 3-mile nature-hiking trail divided into two mile segments.
Sherman Reservoir State Recreation Area - Loup City, NE
Sherman Reservoir has a 2,845-acre lake and 4,721 land acres, 5 miles northeast of Loup City. The traditional camping includes 360 non-pad sites. Other facilities include picnic tables and shelters, water, dump station, modern restrooms, vault toilets, 3 boat ramps, fish cleaning stations, coin-operated showers and concession.
Smith Falls State Park - Valentine, NE
The Smith Falls Park protects the biological and scenic significance of the location, while allowing the public to view the state's highest waterfall. The area primarily serves day-use visitors, canoers on the Niobrara River and canoe campers.
Stagecoach State Recreation Area – NE
Stagecoach is a 195-acre Corps of Engineers flood control impoundment with 607 acres of land. This area offers boating, fishing and picnicking. There are 50 non-designated campsites and a handicapped-accessible fishing pier.
Summit Lake State Recreation Area - Fort Calhoun, NE
Summit is a 190-acre Natural Resources District lake with 345 acres of land. This area offers fishing, hiking, hunting, picnicking, trailer dump station and a swimming beach. There are 26 camper pads and an additional 32 non-designated campsites.
Sutherland Reservoir State Recreation Area - North Platte, NE
Sutherland is a 3,017-acre lake with 37 acres of land on three accesses. The area offers traditional camping, power boating, fishing and a swimming beach. The Oregon Trail 9 hole golf course is located just a few minutes north of the lake.
Swanson Reservoir State Recreation Area - Stratton, NE
Swanson is the largest of four state recreation areas in Southwest Nebraska. It is located near Trenton and has a 4,974-acre lake alongside 3,957 land acres. Campers will find 62 pads with 30/50 amp electrical hookups, plus 150 non-pad sites. Other facilities: Showers, 2 dump stations, concession.
Two Rivers State Recreation Area – Waterloo, NE
Two Rivers is located southwest of Venice. The 622-acre area boasts 320 acres of water in several sandpit lakes. Besides a variety of fishing opportunities and non-powered boating, there is an unsupervised swimming beach, has bicycles for rent, and an accessible fishing pier.
Union Pacific State Recreation Area - Kearney, NE
Union Pacific is a former wayside area comprising 26 acres of land and 12 acres in a sandpit. This area offers boating, picnicking and fishing. Located near Kearney, Union Pacific allows easy access to numerous restaurants, shopping, and the Museum of Nebraska Art.
Verdon State Recreation Area - Shubert, NE
Verdon has a 45-acre lake and 30 acres of land adjacent. This area offers traditional camping and picnicking.
Victoria Springs State Recreation Area - Anselmo, NE
Victoria Springs is a 55 acre park with a 5 acre pond. This area offers a modern campground with a shower/latrine building. Both fishing and non-power boating are permitted in the small lake.
Wagon Train State Recreation Area – Hickman, NE
Wagon Train is a 315-acre Corps of Engineers watershed impoundment with 746 acres of land. This area offers electrical camp pads, traditional camping, boating, fishing, picnicking and a swimming beach.
Walgren Lake State Recreation Area - Chadron, NE
Walgren is an 80 acre area with a 50 acre lake. This area offers traditional camping, boating, fishing and picnicking. A rock shelter house is available at Walgren Lake SRA on a first-come, first-served basis, and the area's 50-acre lake, which has a 5-mph speed limit, features a handicapped-accessible fishing pier and two boat ramps and boat docks.
War Axe State Recreation Area - Gibbon, NE
War Axe is a former wayside area with 9 acres of land and a 16-acre lake. This area offers boating, fishing and picnicking.
Wildcat Hills State Recreation Area - Gering, NE
Wildcat Hills and Big Game Reserve encompass 761 acres of rugged rock buttes and pine-covered canyons, 10 miles S of Gering. It is also home to an extraordinary Nature-Visitor Center. The area features picnic tables, shelters, water, vault toilets, hiking trails and 30 non-pad campsites.
Willow Creek State Recreation Area - Pierce, NE
Willow Creek has 1,633 acres with a 700-acre lake. The features include access to 100 camping pads, picnic tables, shelters, fire grates, water, showers, modern restrooms, accessible fishing pier, archery field course, unsupervised swimming, two playgrounds, and an 8-mile hiking/horseback trail around the lake.
Windmill State Recreation Area – Gibbon, NE
Windmill State serves travelers today with modem camping facilities, a 14-acre man-made lake, and a fascinating assortment of antique windmills. Traditional tent camping, swimming beach, picnicking is also available

New Hampshire

2012-06-21T16:25:00.002-07:00

The State of New Hampshire was named for Hampshire, England, by Captain John Mason. It became the 9th state on June 21, 1788. New Hampshire was one of the original 13 colonies that broke away from the British Empire, and is one of the six New England States. The state has four unique nicknames that it is commonly referred to by its residents. The nicknames are The Granite State, Mother of Rivers, White Mountain State, and Switzerland of America. These nicknames are showcased in a wide variety of ways throughout the state parks that provide a host of outdoor interests such as camping, hiking, fishing, boating, and a multitude of winter recreation activities.

To find out more information about New Hampshire and its state parks you can visit the Division of Parks and Recreation site.

Ahern State Park – Laconia, NH
Ahern Park spans 128 acres, with 3,500 feet of shoreline on Lake Winnisquam. The area includes fishing, hiking, and trail biking.
Androscoggin Wayside Park – Errol, NH
Androscoggin Wayside is located along the Androscoggin River and lies within the Thirteen Mile Woods. It is a scenic spot for picnicking and fishing, and a favorite for canoeing.
Annett Wayside Park – Rindge, NH
Annett Wayside is part of the 1,494 acre Annett State Forest and is located near the Cathedral of the Pines National Shrine. The area includes hiking, picnicking, and leashed pets.
Bear Brook State Park – Allenstown, NH
Bear Brook Park is the largest developed state park in New Hampshire. Located in the southeast region of the state, there is plenty to do and see for everyone. Forty miles of trails through the heavily forested park lead to seldom visited marshes, bogs, summits, and ponds. The park offers a variety of options for hikers, mountain bikers and equestrians. Bear Brook has a museum complex within the park which is home to New Hampshire Antique Snowmobile Museum, Old Allenstown Meeting House, and the Richard Diehl Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) Museum.
Beaver Brook Falls Wayside - Colebrook, NH
Beaver Brook Falls Wayside is 7.3 acres in size and is a popular place for hiking. The park has a scenic picnic area with picnic tables and small picnic shelter. A group use area for weddings and reunions is also available.
Bedell Bridge State Park – Haverhill, NH
Bedell Bridge State Park is a 38-acre park located along the Connecticut River. The park was the site of a historic two-span covered bridge, the second longest in the country. The Burrtuss bridge, which connected New Hampshire to Vermont, was destroyed by wind in 1979 and is no longer there. A Fish and Game boat launch is located within the park.
Cardigan State Park – Orange, NH
Cardigan Mountain State Park spans 5,655 acres and is an excellent area for hiking. A mountain road leads to trails on the west slope of Mount Cardigan as well as a trail to the summit. Mount Cardigan's 3,121-foot treeless granite summit affords outstanding views of west central New Hampshire, with a panorama that includes Mount Monadnock and the White Mountains, Camel's Hump in Vermont, and Pleasant Mountain in Maine.
Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area – Chesterfield, NH
Chesterfield Gorge Natural Area spans 13 acres. It offers great opportunities for hiking as you explore the footpaths along the gorge and enjoy the scenic views. The area provides nature viewing, information on how the gorge was formed, and plant species of the gorge.
Clough State Park Weare, NH
Clough State Park is located on the shore of Everett Lake, a 150-acre lake formed by a dam on the Piscataquog River. The park has a 900-foot sandy beach, playing fields, and large picnic areas. Clough State Park is open weekends only beginning on June 16, 2012 and closes September 3, 2012. Operating hours are Saturday and Sunday from 8:30 am to sunset.
Coleman State Park - Stewartstown, NH
Coleman State Park lies on the shore of Little Diamond Pond in Stewartstown, twelve miles east of Colebrook in New Hampshire's remote North Country. The trout fishing in Little Diamond Pond and nearby streams makes Coleman an excellent location for fishing, hunting, and camping enthusiasts.
Crawford Notch State Park - Harts Location, NH
Crawford Notch State Park has 5,775 acres providing access to numerous hiking trails, waterfalls, fishing, wildlife viewing, and spectacular mountain views. Crawford Notch State Park is rich in history with the famous Willey House. The campground in the park is Dry River Campground and offers 36 wooded sites.
Crawford Notch/Dry River Campground – Harts Location, NH
Crawford Notch State Park has 5,775 acres providing access to numerous hiking trails, waterfalls, fishing, wildlife viewing, and spectacular mountain views. Crawford Notch State Park is rich in history with the famous Willey House. The campground in the park is Dry River Campground and offers 36 wooded sites.
Daniel Webster Birthplace - Franklin, NH
The Daniel Webster Birthplace is associated with the birth and early childhood years of Daniel Webster, one of our country's most respected orators and statesmen. While the site affords a view of the early years of Daniel Webster, it also provides a glimpse of 1700s farm life in the infant years of the United States.
Deer Mountain Campground - Pittsburg, NH
Deer Mountain Campground is located in Connecticut Lakes State Forest, adjacent to the Connecticut River between Second and Third Connecticut lakes, Deer Mountain Campground is just five minutes south of the Canadian border. It is adjacent to the stretch of Route 3 north of Pittsburg, referred to as Moose Alley, which makes it a prime location for moose viewing. The campground consists of 25-site primitive campground.
Dixville Notch State Park - Dixville, NH
Dixville Notch State Park spans 127 acres. Within the park is a scenic gorge and waterfalls on two mountain brooks. Hiking trails lead to Table Rock and nearby mountains.
Echo Lake State Park - Conway, NH
Echo Lake State Park is a great place to take the family for a swim and picnic. A scenic trail around the lake provides great views of sheer, 700-foot Cathedral Ledge which towers over the lake. A mile-long auto road and hiking trails lead to the top of Cathedral Ledge where views across the Saco River Valley to the White Mountains can be enjoyed. Both Cathedral and nearby White Horse ledges are popular rock and ice climbing walls.
Eisenhower Memorial Wayside Park - Carroll, NH
Eisenhower Memorial Wayside Park is a seven-acre memorial park, established in 1979 as a gift from the Bretton Woods Corporation and honors the late President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Views of the Presidential Range in the White Mountain National Forest are a short walk away. Picnic tables are available.
Ellacoya State Park - Gilford, NH
Ellacoya State Park is located in Gilford on the southwest shore of Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire's largest lake. The 600-foot long sandy beach, with views across the lake to the Sandwich and Ossipee mountains, is a great place to spend with the family for a full day of swimming and picnicking. The campground includes 37 sites available by reservation only, and offers three-way hook-ups.
Endicott Rock - Laconia, NH
Endicott Rock may be the oldest public monument in New England. The name of John Endicott, Governor of Massachusetts Bay, and the initials of Edward Johnson and Simon Willard, Commissioners of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, and of John Sherman and Jonathan Ince, Suveyors, were inscribed on the rock on August 1, 1652.
Forest Lake State Park - Dalton, NH
Forest Lake State Park, one of the ten original state parks, was created in 1935. The park spans 397 acres and its 200-foot sandy beach lies on the shore of Forest Lake. Popular activities in the park include swimming, picnicking, mountain biking, fishing, and boating.
Fort Constitution Historic Site - New Castle, NH
Fort Constitution State Historic Site is located on a peninsula on the northeast corner of New Castle Island. It overlooks both the Piscataqua River and the Atlantic Ocean. The grounds provide a casual gathering spot for picnics. In 1791, the State of New Hampshire gave the United States the neck of land on which Fort William and Mary and a lighthouse were situated.
Fort Stark Historic Site - New Castle, NH
Fort Stark Historic Site is located on a peninsula historically called Jerry's Point on the southeast corner of New Castle Island. It overlooks the Piscataqua River, Little Harbor and the Atlantic Ocean. Fort Stark was named in honor of John Stark, commander of N.H. forces at the Battle of Bennington (1777). An unmarked walking trail traverses the ten-acre fort site.
Franconia Notch State Park - Franconia, NH
Franconia Notch is a spectacular mountain pass traversed by a unique parkway which extends from the Flume Gorge at the south to Echo Lake at the north. Visitors can go to the Flume Gorge Visitor Center and walk through the renowned Flume Gorge, ride the exciting aerial tramway at Cannon Mountain, and visit the New England Ski Museum. There is also swimming at Echo Lake, trout and fly fishing at Profile Lake, bike riding on the Recreational Trail, nature viewing of hawks and falcons on Cannon Cliffs, or hiking on the Appalachian Trail.
Franklin Pierce Homestead - Hillsborough, NH
Franklin Pierce Homestead reflects the gracious and affluent living of the nineteenth century. A ballroom, which extends the entire length of the second floor, was used for entertaining neighbors and distinguished families of the state and nation. Franklin Pierce shared Daniel Webster's dedication to national unity and led our country during the most trying of times, the time of slavery. Private tours & large group tours, both coinciding & outside the public hours & months, can be arranged.
Gardner Memorial Wayside Park - Springfield, NH
Gardner Memorial Wayside Park is part of Gile State Forest, which spans 6,675 acres, and includes hiking along with picnicking. The Wayside includes a memorial to Walter C. Gardner II, whose father established Gile State Forest.
Governor Wentworth Historic Site - Wolfboro, NH
At Governor Wentworth Historic Site, explore the remains of an extensive northern plantation built just before the outbreak of the American Revolution. Built by New Hampshire's second Royal Governor, John Wentworth, the mansion burned to the ground in 1820. It has been the site of an archaeological dig where artifacts have been carefully pieced together.
Greenfield State Park - Greenfield, NH
Greenfield State Park is tucked away in this 400-acre park in the southwest corner of the Granite State and features ponds, bogs, camping, and a forest that extends to the shore of undeveloped Otter Lake. Walking paths lead to ponds and other points of interest in the park. A small park store offers refreshments and souvenirs for sale.
Hampton Beach State Park - Hampton, NH
Hampton Beach State Park provides year-round recreation, with Atlantic ocean-front facilities situated along miles of sandy beach. Activities in the park include swimming, fishing, picnicking, and RV camping with full hook-ups in the campground. The new Seashell Complex, Visitor Services and Administration buildings will also be open for the 2012 Summer season.
Hannah Dustin Memorial - Boscawen, NH
Hannah Duston Memorial was erected in 1874 and is the first publically-funded statue in New Hampshire. Located on a small island at the confluence of the Contoocook and Merrimack Rivers, the statue commemorates the escape of Hannah Duston, who was captured in 1697 in Haverhill, Massachusetts during the French and Indian War. A short walk from the parking area brings visitors to a pretty picnic spot on the shore of the river.
Jenness State Beach – Rye, NH
Jenness State Beach is a great family location with an Atlantic ocean-front setting - its sandy beach is ideal for swimming and picnicking. Amenities at the beach include a bathhouse.
Jericho Mountain State Park – Berlin, NH
Jericho Mountain State Park provides opportunities for miles of trail riding for ATV, UTV, trail bike, and snowmobile enthusiasts alike. Open to the public, but still in development, the park will continue to have more miles added to the trail network over the next several years.
Kingston State Park – Kingston, NH
Kingston State Park is only 14 miles from the New Hampshire seacoast and is close to many attractions such as Canobie Lake Park, The Fox Run Mall, various antique shops, and fine restaurants. The park is 44 acres in size and includes fireplaces and picnic areas, a playground, softball field, and three game areas for horseshoes and volleyball.
Lake Francis State Park - Pittsburg, NH
Lake Francis State Park lies on the shores of Lake Francis a 2,000 acre lake near the Connecticut Lakes of the Great North Woods region. Hunters and anglers enjoy this park as a base for their respective activities. Canoeists enjoy exploring the upper part of the Connecticut River. Lake Francis campground provides 45 sites.
Lake Tarleton State Park - Piermont, NH
Lake Tarleton, at 315 acres, offers an unguarded swimming beach and opportunities for fishing and hunting in season. A N.H. Fish and Game boat launch is available less than a quarter mile from the park.
Madison Boulder Natural Area - Madison, NH
Madison Boulder Natural Area is home to the largest known erratic in New England, and among the largest in the world. Madison Boulder is a huge granite rock measuring 83 feet in length, 23 feet in height above the ground, 37 feet in width, and weighs upwards of 5,000 tons! The 17-acre site was acquired by the state of N.H. in 1946.
Milan Hill State Park - Milan, NH
Milan Hill State Park is known for hiking, picnicking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and wildlife viewing. From this hilltop campground and the fire tower located there, you can get a complete view of the mountain ranges in New Hampshire, Maine, Vermont, and Canada.
Miller State Park - Peterborough, NH
Miller State Park is located on the 2,290-foot summit and flank of Pack Monadnock in Peterborough and is the oldest state park in New Hampshire. A winding 1.3-mile paved road leading to the scenic summit is open for visitors to drive in summer and on spring and fall weekends. Three main hiking trails ascend Pack Monadnock to the summit.
Mollidgewock State Park - Errol, NH
Mollidgewock Park offers great canoeing and kayaking opportunities for both novice and expert paddlers. The area is a favorite of fishing enthusiasts and is popular for watching moose and other wildlife. The campground offers 44 tent sites.
Monadnock State Park - Jaffrey, NH
Monadnock State Park is located in and around the 3,165-ft. Mount Monadnock. The park is surrounded by thousands of acres of protected highlands. In 1987, Mount Monadnock was designated a National Natural Landmark. The park offers year-round recreational opportunities such as camping, hiking, skiing, along with a winter recreation area.
Moose Brook State Park - Gorham, NH
Moose Brook State Park is in an area of unparalleled scenery and offers a variety of outdoor activities including camping, hiking, nature viewing, biking, and fishing. The park is ideally located for fishing in the Peabody and Moose Rivers. Moose Brook flows through the park and after passing through a shallow warming pool, feeds the swimming area with cool, clear mountain water.
Mt. Sunapee State Park - Newbury, NH
Mount Sunapee State Park is a major recreation area in the Dartmouth-Lake Sunapee Region offering year-round activities including camping, fishing, swimming, and hiking. In the winter, alpine skiing is available at Mt. Sunapee Resort, owned by the state of New Hampshire and managed by the Okemo Mountain Resort. The 4,085 acre lake at Mt.Sunapee State Park Beach is an ideal spot for family and group outings.
Mt. Washington State Park - Sargent's Purchase, NH
Mount Washington State Park, a 60.3-acre parcel perched on the summit of the Northeast's highest peak, is surrounded by the extensive 750,000-acre White Mountain National Forest. The Sherman Adams building, a modern summit building, houses The Sherman Adams Visitor Center, a cafeteria, restrooms, gift shops, the Mount Washington Observatory and its museum.
Nansen Wayside Park - Milan, NH
Nansen Wayside Park is located near the banks of the Androscoggin River and is a popular place for picnicking, fishing, and boating. A boat launch is available. The park spans 14 acres and is the site of the 170-foot steel-framed Nansen Ski Jump, seen towering over the area.
North Beach - Hampton, NH
North Beach is a great family location with an Atlantic ocean-front setting - its sandy beach is ideal for swimming and picnicking. Amenities at the beach include a bathhouse, which is open year-round.
North Hampton State Beach - North Hampton, NH
North Hampton State Beach is an ideal family location with an Atlantic ocean-front setting that is great for swimming and picnicking. Amenities at the beach include a bathhouse.
Northwood Meadows State Park - Northwood, NH
Northwood Meadows State Park spans 674.5 acres in a wilderness setting. This wooded park has a vast wetlands area and is excellent for nature walks, picnicking, fishing, and winter recreation.
Odiorne Point State Park - Rye, NH
At Odiorne Point State Park picnickers can enjoy sweeping views of the ocean and rocky shore, and explorers can uncover evidence of past military occupation. An extensive network of trails wind through the dense vegetation and traverse the park. The Seacoast Science Center, which is located in the park, has exhibits relating to the natural and human history of Odiorne and the seacoast area.
Pawtuckaway State Park - Nottingham, NH
Pawtuckaway State Park offers a variety of landscapes, with something to do and see for everyone. The park includes a large family beach on the lake. There are many opportunities for hiking, with trails leading to many special points of interest, including a mountaintop fire tower; an extensive marsh where beavers, deer, and great blue herons may be seen, and a geologically unique field where large boulders called glacial erratics were deposited when glacial ice melted near the end of the Ice Age.
Pillsbury State Park - Washington, NH
Pillsbury State Park is one of the more primitive and lesser known gems of the New Hampshire State Park system. Heavily wooded and sprinkled with several ponds and wetlands, its diversity of habitats makes it home to a great variety of wildlife, including moose and loons. The area offers camping, fishing, hiking, skiing, snowmobiling, and other winter recreation activities.
Pisgah State Park - Winchester, NH
Pisgah State Park includes over 13,300 acres of rough forested terrain, encompassing a complete watershed north of the Ashuelot River that is known for biking, fishing, hiking, and winter recreation. Within the Cheshire County towns of Winchester, Chesterfield and Hinsdale, the park protects seven ponds (popular for fishing), four highland ridges and numerous wetlands.
Rhododendron State Park - Fitzwilliam, NH
Rhododendron State Park is named after the 16-acre grove of Rhododendron Maximum, which is the focal point of the park. A 0.6 mile-long universally accessible trail encircles the grove allowing visitors to observe, close up, the fragrant clusters of pink blossoms as they burst into bloom in mid-July.
Robert Frost Farm - Derry, NH
The Robert Frost Farm Historic Site was home to Robert Frost and his family from 1900-1911. Frost, one of the nation's most acclaimed poets whose writings are said to be the epitome of New England, attributed many of his poems to memories from the Derry years. The simple two-story white clapboard farmhouse is typical of New England in the 1880s.
Rollins State Park - Warner, NH
Rollins State Park, located in Warner, is situated on the south slope of Mt. Kearsarge. A 3-1/2 mile long scenic auto road rises from the park entrance through woodlands to the parking and picnic areas. The picnic area, located in a natural wooded glen beneath granite ledges, is historically referred to as the "Garden." It affords views that stretch from Mt. Monadnock to the hills of New Hampshire's coastal plain.
Rye Harbor State Park - Rye NH
Rye Harbor State Park affords scenic views of the Atlantic Ocean, the Isles of Shoals, and Rye Harbor, also called Ragged Neck. Favorite activities enjoyed in the park include saltwater fishing and picnicking with ocean breezes. Rye Harbor State Park is a great location to hold a family reunion, corporate outing, wedding, and more.
Sculptured Rocks Natural Area - Groton, NH
Sculptured Rocks Natural Area, which spans 272 acres, is a unique example of nature's powerful yet delicate artistry. The Cockermouth River carved a narrow canyon in bedrock on its way to Newfound Lake, beginning as the last ice age drew to a close. Nature used grains of sand suspended in the current to carve the walls of the canyon into curious shapes and create potholes in the bedrock.
Silver Lake State Park - Hollis, NH
Silver Lake State Park spans 80 acres and its sandy 1,000-foot beach curves along 34-acre Silver Lake. Popular activities in the park include swimming, picnicking, and boating. Amenities include picnic tables, kayak and paddleboat rentals, flush toilets, and a park store.
Taylor Mill State Historic Site –
The Taylor Sawmill is situated on the Ballard State Forest in Derry, New Hampshire. Robert Taylor, for whom the mill is named, bought the property in 1799 and began operating an "up and down" sawmill similar to the current one about 1805. This entire property, including the sawmill, the house nearby, and 71 acres of land, were very generously donated to the State of New Hampshire in 1953 by Mr. Ernest R. Ballard.
Umbagog Lake State Park - Cambridge, NH
Umbagog Park includes a base park campground with 27 sites with electrical and water hook-ups available, three cabins, and 33 remote campsites in isolated locations around Umbagog Lake accessible only by boat.
Wadleigh State Park - Sutton, NH
Wadleigh State Park offers swimming on beautiful Kezar Lake. Tall pine trees shade the picnic sites located adjacent to the beach, making it an ideal location for camping, fishing, boating, hiking, and trips for families and group outings.
Wallis Sands State Beach - Rye, NH
Wallis Sands State Park offers oceanfront swimming, views of the Isles of Shoals, and a sandy beach that families especially enjoy. Beach amenities include a store that sells a variety of items, food, and drinks; and a large bathhouse with hot and cold showers.
Weeks State Park - Lancaster, NH
John Wingate Weeks Historic Site's Mt. Prospect estate was built at the direction of John Wingate Weeks, leading conservationist, U.S. congressman, U.S. senator, and Secretary of War under Presidents Harding and Coolidge. The 420-acre Mt. Prospect estate was given to the state of New Hampshire in 1941 by John Weeks' children, Katherine Weeks Davidge and Sinclair Weeks.
Wellington State Park - Alexandria, NH
Wellington State Park boasts the largest freshwater swimming beach in the New Hampshire State Park system. Hiking trails and picnic areas along the shore afford views of one of the deepest and clearest lakes in the state. The park maintains volleyball and horseshoe courts.
Wentworth State Park - Wolfeboro, NH
Wentworth State Park spans 50 acres and is located on the shore of scenic Wentworth Lake. Popular activities in the park include swimming, picnicking and fishing.
Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion - Portsmouth, NH
Wentworth-Coolidge Mansion Historic Site is the former home of New Hampshire's first royal governor, Benning Wentworth, who served in office from 1741 to 1767. The rambling 40-room mansion which overlooks Little Harbor, is one of the most outstanding homes remaining of the colonial era. Its stateliness and impressive interior and furnishings reflect aristocratic life in Portsmouth in the 1700s.
White Lake State Park - Tamworth, NH
White Lake State Park offers some of the best camping and swimming in the White Mountain region. The park lies along the shore of White Lake, which is an example of a typical glacial lake. During the Ice Age, glacial ice was buried beneath glacial till or debris. When the ice melted, a depression was created which gradually filled with water.
Winslow State Park - Wilmot, NH
Winslow State Park, is located on the northwest slope of Mt. Kearsarge in Wilmot, New Hampshire. The picnic area is on an 1,820-foot plateau with outstanding views of the White Mountains to the north and the taller of the southern and central Vermont peaks. Mt. Sunapee, Ragged Mountain, and Pleasant Lake dominate the closer landscape.

Oklahoma

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Oklahoma offers a diverse getaway with a multitude of Mid-Western adventures. Visitors can go see Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, which has more than 50 mammal, 240 bird, 64 reptile and amphibians, 36 fish, and 806 plant species living there. The National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum offers a look into the rough lifestyle and culture of the old west.

Oklahoma is known for its part in the trail of tears, where over 16,000 Cherokee were relocated in the 1830’s. The name Oklahoma means “Red People”, where over 39 tribes now call the state home. Oklahoma later became a state in 1907, and is well known for its Mid-Western culture along with its pioneering past.

The State offers almost 40 parks and recreation areas to visit. Visitors can find out more information about Oklahoma tourism at the Travel Website.

Alabaster Caverns State Park – Freedom, OK
Alabaster Caverns highlight of the 200-acre park the ¾ mile cavern formed of alabaster, a rare form of gypsum, making it the largest natural gypsum cave in the world that is open to the public. The area includes daily guided tours, camping, gift shop, and hiking.
Arrowhead State Park – Canadian, OK
Arrowhead State Park is located on a peninsula of Lake Eufaula, which is one of the largest manmade lakes in the southwest. Arrowhead State Park features tent/rv camping, picnic shelters, a marina, playgrounds, trails, miniature golf course, swimming area, mountain biking, and stables.
Beavers Bend and Hochatown State Park – Broken Bow, OK
Beavers Bend is located along the shores of Broken Bow Lake. Recreation opportunities include the 18 hole Cedar Creek Golf Course, hiking, biking, boating, nature trails, tennis, softball, volleyball, trout fishing, water skiing, nature center activities, river float trips, miniature golf, paddleboats, bumper boats, canoeing, horseback riding, picnic areas, hayrides, and train rides. A gift shop, grocery, and the Forest Heritage Center are also on-site.
Bernice Area at Grand Lake State Park – Bernice, OK
Bernice offers fishing for crappie, largemouth bass, white bass, channel catfish and bluegill. Visitors will find campsites, showers, boat ramp, courtesy boat dock for loading and unloading, picnic areas, playground, a one mile paved walking and jogging path that is handicap accessible, two wildlife watch towers, along with a swimming and a nature center.
Black Mesa State Park and Natural Reserve – Kenton, OK
Black Mesa Park takes its name from the layer of black lava rock that coated the mesa about 30 million years ago. Visitors can hike to the top of the plateau, Oklahoma's highest point at 4,973 feet above sea level, go camping, and watch wildlife.
Boiling Spring State Park – Woodward, OK
Boiling Springs Park is one of seven original state parks built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps and was named after a natural "boiling" spring that still flows. The area includes camping, hiking, fishing, volleyball, swimming, and watchable wildlife.
Cherokee Area at Grand Lake State Park – Langley, OK
Cherokee Area is one of Oklahoma's largest lakes with over 59,000 surface acres and 1,300 miles of shoreline. The park consists of several smaller parks that are located near the Pensacola Dam and around the lake. The area is known for great fishing, camping, hiking, boating, and a variety of water sports.
Cherokee Landing State Park – Park Hill, OK
Cherokee Landing is located in the Cookson Hills, south of Tahlequah and next to Lake Tenkiller. The park features RV hookups with electric/water, traditional campsites, restrooms with showers, lighted boat ramp, swimming beach, playgrounds and a softball field.
Clayton Lake State Park – Clayton, OK
Clayton Lake Park is a 95-acre lake is open to fishermen and boaters, but no water sports are allowed. In addition to a lighted boat and ADA accessible fishing dock, the park also has a swimming beach and playground.
Disney/Little Blue Area at Grand Lake State Park – Disney, OK
The Disney/Little Blue Area has become a popular area for bass fishing, water sports, and offers a lighted boat ramp. Nestled between the trees and Grand Lake are a total of 40 tent campsites, and each site has its own picnic table. The park is also a great place for family reunions where everyone can mingle in the group shelter picnic area.
Dripping Springs State Park – Okmulgee, OK
Dripping Springs offers boating, fishing, swimming, and watchable wildlife. The park is located along beautiful Dripping Springs Lake, built in 1979, which spans 1,150 acres. The lake was designated Oklahoma's first "Trophy Bass Lake" and has an abundant stand of timber still in the water, which make an ideal habitat for trophy bass.
Fort Cobb State Park – Fort Cobb, OK
Fort Cobb offers visitors a variety of outdoor activities and attractions. The park borders Fort Cobb Lake, a large lake with 4,000 surface acres for swimming, golf, fishing, boating and water sports. Sunset Cove Marina offers boat and boating equipment rentals, boat slip rentals, a convenience store, fuel and a restaurant.
Foss State Park – Foss, OK
Foss State Park activities include hiking, biking, horseback riding, fishing, boating, swimming and camping. Foss State Park has an equestrian camp with a multi-purpose trail for horseback riding, hiking and mountain biking.
Gloss Mountain and Great Plains State Park – Mountain Park, OK
Gloss Mountain’s and Great Plain’s rocky terrain of the Wichita Mountain foothills provides miles of mountain biking trails for experts and beginners alike. Hiking trails give visitors a chance to explore the park on foot and take in the scenery at a slower pace. Whether biking or on foot, visitors will have access to over 400 acres of park land. Rock climbing in granite boulder fields is also a favorite activity at Great Plains State Park.
Great Salt Plains State Park – Jet, OK
Great Salt Plains barren landscape is comprised of salt left over from an ocean that covered Oklahoma in prehistoric times, and the saltwater lake in the park, Great Salt Plains Lake, is about half as salty as the ocean. Visitors can take their pick of activities in the park, such as swimming in Great Salt Plains, camping, boating, fishing, or hiking along bike trails.
Greenleaf State Park – Braggs, OK
Greenleaf Park is one of Oklahoma's original seven state parks and one of its most scenic and family-oriented. The park has 14 cabins with bathroom, kitchen, heat and air, dishes, and linens. The park features RV and tent campsites, community building, pavilion, enclosed shelter, seasonal grill, miniature golf, a laundry center and arcade room.
Honey Creek Area at Grand Lake State Park – Groves, OK
Honey Creek is on the shore of Grand Lake, which boasts 1,300 miles of shoreline, with more than 60 miles winding through the Ozark mountains. The area includes, camping, biking, boating, hiking, and fishing.
Hugo Lake State Park – Hugo, OK
Hugo Lake is located in scenic southeastern Oklahoma; this long established recreation destination offers family fun, boating, abundant fishing opportunities and spectacular sunsets. The site includes cabins with satellite TV, or campsites for traditional camping. Each site offers a grill and picnic table, swimming, fishing, or swimming with coves located on two sides of the campsite.
Keystone State Park – Sand Springs, OK
Keystone Park offers many different activities and accommodation choices for guests. For an action-packed time, load up the family in your own boat, or rent one and cruise off onto the lake for water skiing or fishing. Those who want to stay on land can explore the hiking trail around the edge of Keystone Lake or watch for birds and other wildlife among the trees and hills of Oklahoma's Green Country.
Lake Eufaula State Park – Checotah, OK
Lake Eufaula can be observed on hiking trails such as the Bluebird Trail. Visitors can bring bikes to get around the expansive park and take a ride on one of the mountain bike trails. The Deep Fork Nature Center educates visitors about native animals and plant species, and kids and adults can participate in naturalist programs and activities. There is a swimming area with a beach, and multiple boat ramps provide easy access to the lake.
Lake Murray State Park and Lodge – Ardmore, OK
Lake Murray State Park is Oklahoma's first and largest state park consisting of 12,500 acres located on the shores of beautiful Lake Murray. The park's diverse terrain, exceptional trails and historic sites make Lake Murray State Park a favorite destination among outdoor, water sport and ATV riding enthusiasts.
Lake Texoma State Park – Kingston, OK
Lake Texoma is Oklahoma's second largest lake and one of the premier striped bass hot spots in the southwest. Besides fishing and a myriad of watersports, Lake Texoma State Park offers swimming, camping, picnic areas, wildlife viewing opportunities and hiking.
Lake Thunderbird State Park – Norman, OK
Lake Thunderbird offers a variety of water activities and recreation. The park features two marinas, camping, hiking, nature viewing, and swimming.
Lake Wister State Park – Wister, OK
Lake Wister has five camping areas around the scenic 7,300 surface acres of Lake Wister, this state park is a haven of outdoor recreational activity. Visitors to Lake Wister State Park can enjoy a variety of activities including hiking, camping, biking, boating and water skiing.
Little Sahara State Park – Waynoka, OK
Little Sahara has over 1,600 acres of sand dunes with a diverse terrain. Visitors can motor bike for sport, picnic, and hike.
McGee Creek State Park – Atoka, OK
McGee Creek occupies the southwest edge of the Ouachita Mountain Range. McGee Creek State Park offers recreational opportunities including water activities, camping, hiking and fishing, as well as hunting in the adjacent wildlife management area. This 2,600-acre park is the perfect place to stay while fishing in one of Oklahoma's finest trophy lakes, the 3,350-acre McGee Creek Reservoir. Fishermen will find an abundance of large and smallmouth bass, channel catfish, perch, crappie and sunfish.
Natural Falls State Park – West Siloam Springs, OK
Natural Falls features a 77-foot waterfall cascading through rock formations and creating a hidden, serene atmosphere at the bottom of a narrow V-shaped valley. A railed observation platform allows hikers to overlook the falls and another observation deck with seating is located at the foot of the falls offering two vantage points to enjoy one of the most scenic wonders in the state.
Okmulgee State Park – Okmulgee, OK
Okmulgee State Park, on beautiful Okmulgee Lake, is a wonderful place for your family outing. Visitors can fish, hike or bring your mountain bike, and camp. A public hunting area is on the north side of Okmulgee Lake.
Osage Hills State Park – Pawhuska, OK
Osage Hills has a wide range of activities to choose from while visiting the area. Features include camping, hiking, fishing, and boating. Fishing is a favorite activity in Osage Hills State Park. Anglers can test their skills and try their luck at Lookout Lake or at Sand Creek, which winds through the park.
Raymond Gary State Park – Fort Townson, OK
Raymond Gary Park offers fishing, boating, and swimming. Camping and picnic facilities are available, and include RV sites with full hookups, tent sites, group pavilions, comfort stations with showers, a playground, swim beach, and cabin rentals.
Redrock Canyon State Park – Hinton, OK
Redrock Canyon visitors can take a serene walk on one of the park's two nature trails, or enjoy a more strenuous hike through the rocky terrain on a hiking trail. Hikers can still see wagon wheel ruts left by settlers traveling to California on one of the trails, as the park was once a stop along the historic California Trail.
Robbers Cave State Park – Wilburton, OK
Robbers Cave is a favorite of rappellers, cave explorers, equestrians, and hikers. The park and adjoining wildlife management area offers acres of discovery and enjoyment including caves, trout fishing in season, boating, hunting, trails for hikers and horses, sandstone cliffs for climbing and rappelling, and fall foliage viewing.
Roman Nose State Park – Watonga, OK
Roman Nose Park activities include an 18 hole golf course, swimming pools, tennis courts, volleyball court, hiking trails, two lakes, trout fishing in season, miniature golf, canoeing, paddle boats, horse stables and hayrides. Group camps, tent and RV campsites are located throughout the park. The area also offers good opportunities for fall foliage viewing.
Sequoyah Bay State Park – Wagoner, OK
Sequoyah Bay Park is located near the Western Hills Guest ranch. It offers camping, hiking, a golf resort, fishing, boating, and swimming.
Snowdale Area at Grand Lake State Park – Salina, OK
Snowdale is located on the shore of Lake Hudson and is a popular destination for bass, catfish, perch and crappie fishing. A wide variety of water sports are allowed on the lake. Other recreational activities include camping, swimming, volleyball and hiking.
Spavina Area at Grand Lake State Park – Spavina, OK
Spavina Area offers fishing opportunities at Lake Spavinaw. Varieties of fish in the lake include channel catfish, crappie, large and smallmouth bass, sunfish, spotted bass, walleye and white bass. There is also camping and hiking.
Talimena State Park – Talihena, OK
Talimena Park is a scenic drive that offers winding roads through the Ouachita Mountains that is known for spectacular spring and fall foliage. Hiking and backpacking trails throughout Talimena State Park offer a wide range of scenic, wooded terrain. Dirt bikes and ATVs are permitted in the park as an entrance point to the national forest lands.
Tenkiller State Park – Vian, OK
Tenkiller Park activities include picnics, camping, horseback riding, hiking, biking, and swimming. Picnic facilities include tables and a group shelter.
Twin Bridges Area at Grand Lake State Park – Fairland, OK
Twin Bridges is known for its quiet country atmosphere and excellent fishing for trophy-sized bass, catfish, bluegill, and spoonbill. A fishing center with bait, tackle, and enclosed fishing dock is located within the park. Lighted boat ramps, picnic areas, RV and tent campgrounds, snacks, lake huts, playgrounds, volleyball court, and horseshoe pits are also available.
Walnut Creek State Park – Prue, OK
Walnut Creek offers fishing, boating, water skiing and more. Visitors have access to swim beaches, lighted and unlighted boat ramps, a softball field, group picnic shelter and playground areas. The park has 73 full and semi-modern RV hookups, tent sites and comfort stations with showers and picnic areas.

New Mexico

2012-06-21T16:23:00.000-07:00

New Mexico is most notably known for its role in the Mexican-American War. This has led to its name in-addition to the Hispanic culture that is still present today. The state includes historic sites honoring Veterans, parks with star gazing, along with multiple places to camp and fish year round. New Mexico has 35 diverse state parks, including lakes, mountain forests, canyons, desert attractions, informative historical sites, along with dinosaur tracks.

The state offers a host of attractions that include space observatories, nature centers, local events, along with state parks and lakes. These areas provide enthusiasts with outdoor education, informative nature programs, and outdoor activities year round.

Tourists who wish to learn more about New Mexico and it’s vacation opportunities at each park can visit the New Mexico State Parks Division Site.

Bluewater Lake State Park – Cibola, NM
Bluewater Lake has Rolling hills studded with pinion and juniper trees encircle the lake, which is stocked with trout and catfish. Bluewater Lake State Park is popular for boating and year-round fishing.
Bottomless Lakes State Park – Chaves, NM
Bottomless Lakes are water filled sinkholes in the local gypsum terrain. Odd geology and water chemistry create homes for unusual plants and animals, like the Pecos sunflower. The area includes camping, fishing, boating, trails, and a visitors center.
Brantley Lake State Park – Eddy, NM
Brantley Lake is the southernmost lake in New Mexico, offering water sports and year-round camping to visitors. Anglers can catch a variety of warm water fish such as largemouth bass, walleye, channel catfish, white bass, bluegill and crappie.
Caballo Lake State Park – Sierra, NM
Caballo Lake has boating, sailing, swimming, water skiing, fishing and windsurfing are some of the wet and wild activities available at the Park. Lake and river provide anglers with the opportunity to catch a variety of fish including catfish, largemouth bass, walleye, white bass, crappie, bluegill, northern pike and sunfish.
Cerrillos Hills State Park – Sante Fe, NM
Cerrillos Hills is a year-round, day-use park located off the Turquoise Trail National Scenic Byway between Santa Fe and Albuquerque. You will cross paths with over 1,100 years of mining history here along the five miles of trails and enjoy spectacular views of the Sandias, Ortiz, Jemez, and Sangre de Cristo mountain ranges. The park has 5 miles of trail among rolling juniper and pinon hills that are accessible year-round for hikers, horseback riders and mountain bikers.
Cimarron Canyon State Park – Colfax, NM
Cimarron Canyon can fish eight miles of premier brown trout waters for stocked browns or rainbows. Smaller trout and solitude can be found in the Cimarron River's tributaries --Clear Creek and Tolby Creek. The area provides camping, fishing, trails, and nature viewing.
City of Rocks State Park – Grant, NM
City of Rocks is famous for its clear night skies and New Mexico State Parks established its first astronomical observatory at City of Rocks State Park. Rock formations like those at the City of Rocks State Park exist in only six other places in the world. Imaginative visitors may see the rock formations as a small city with houses, chimneys, courtyards and streets. The area provides camping, star gazing, geology exploration, and wildlife viewing.
Clayton Lake State Park – Union, NM
Clayton Lake offers outstanding fishing. Along the spillway, more than 500 dinosaur footprints have been preserved and identified. The area provides camping, fishing, sailing, and wildlife viewing.
Conchas Lake State Park – San Miguel, NM
Conchas Lake is one of the state's largest lakes includes 60 miles of varied shoreline, secluded coves, canyons, and sandy beaches. Ancient rock formations date back to the Age of Dinosaurs. Conchas Lake State Park offers a wide variety of water sport activities including boating, fishing and water-skiing at this refreshing, 25-mile long reservoir.
Coyote Creek State Park – Mora, NM
Coyote Creek has the most densely stocked waters in New Mexico. Trout are abundant and provide excellent fishing for children of all ages. In addition, the park offers 1.5 miles of hiking trails through a forest of ponderosa pines.
Eagle Nest Lake State Park – Colfax, NM
Eagle Nest offers a cool retreat from the summer heat for fisherman, boaters, campers and wildlife enthusiasts. The new campground offers 19 dry sites with a vault toilet and community water available. A new state of the art green visitor center features exhibits, a classroom, and expansive patio overlooking the lake.
Elephant Butte Lake State Park – Sierra, NM
Elephant Butte is the largest and most popular lake in New Mexico, Elephant Butte Lake provides camping, boating, water skiing, swimming, fishing, hiking and bird watching. Southern New Mexico’s mild climate makes this park a popular year-round destination.
El Vado Lake State Park – Rio Arriba
El Vado Lake offers fishing, boating, water-skiing and cross-country skiing. A 5.5-mile scenic trail along the Rio Chama connects El Vado with nearby Heron Lake. The lake and surrounding area are a major wintering ground for bald eagles and other birds including red-tail hawks, water ouzels, and ospreys.
Fenton Lake State Park – Sandoval, NM
Fenton Lake is a year-round retreat surrounded by a beautiful ponderosa pine forest, Fenton Lake State Park features a cross-country ski and biathlon trail and wheelchair-accessible fishing platforms.
Heron Lake State Park – Rio Arriba, NM
Heron Lake is ideal for sailing and windsurfing, as well as fishing for record-size trout. Ice fishing is popular in winter for the arctic set. Several scenic campgrounds line the shore of this lake. This beautiful park is known for its excellent sailing, kayaking, canoeing, fishing, cross-country skiing, and hiking.
Hyde Memorial State Park – Santa Fe, NM
Hyde Memorial is vegetated with dense stands of evergreens, as well as aspen and shrubs. As a natural refuge for wildlife, the park provides the opportunity for the quiet and cautious visitors to view deer, raccoon, fox, coyote, squirrels, porcupine, and numerous species of butterflies and birds. Hike to a waterfall, along the Little Tesuque Creek, or make the 3-mile loop on the Circle Trail.
Leasburg Dam State Park – Dona Ana, NM
Leasburg Dam provides peace and relaxation, beautiful cactus gardens, several trails and opportunities for fishing and canoeing in the Rio Grande. The park has attractive picnic and camping facilities on the Rio Grande, hiking trails, a modern restroom with showers, a new playground for the young at heart, a new campfire circle for evening programs, and a new visitor center with exhibits.
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens State Park – Eddy, NM
Living Desert Zoo and Gardens is an indoor/outdoor living museum displaying more than 40 native animal species and hundreds of succulent plants from around the world. While on the 1.3 mile self-guided tour, visitors discover many faces of the Chihuahuan Desert, from sand dunes and pygmy forest to the desert floor.
Manzano Mountains State Park – Torrance, NM
Manzano Mountains is an excellent place for fishing, bird watching, photography, hiking and cross-country skiing. During the winter months, Manzano Mountain State Park offers the outdoor enthusiast exhilarating opportunities for snow shoeing and cross country skiing.
Mesilla Valley Bosque State Park – Dona Ana, NM
Mesilla Valley is a day-use park that offers a variety of opportunities for walkers and wildlife watchers to enjoy the outdoors. The park is a refuge for wildlife and a haven for people seeing the quiet enjoyment of nature.
Morphy Lake State Park – Mora, NM
Morphy Lake is stocked with trout and is a great place to launch a canoe or kayak, while a hiking trail around the lake provides access for anglers. The area provides camping, boating, fishing, and wildlife viewing.
Navajo Lake State Park – Rio Arriba and San Juan, NM
Navajo Lake includes a visitor center with interpretive exhibits, developed campgrounds, picnic area, boat ramp, and a full service marina. Sims Mesa is across the lake, accessible by NM 527, and includes a visitor center with interpretive exhibits, developed campgrounds, boat ramp, and a full service marina. The San Juan River Recreation Area below the dam is a world renowned trout fishery and includes wheelchair-accessible fishing facilities at Texas Hole Day Use Area, Cottonwood Campground, two boat launches, seven day use areas and hiking trails along the river.
Oasis State Park – Roosevelt, NM
Oasis State is set among cottonwood trees and shifting sand dunes. Points of interest include a small fishing lake and prairie trails.
Oliver Lee Memorial State Park – Otero, NM
Oliver Lee had a colorful career in New Mexico history. Experience life of late 19th-century settlers at Lee's ranch headquarters, now restored and authentically furnished. The ranch house is open to the public by guided tour only.
Pancho Villa State Park – Luna, NM
Pancho Villa is located on the grounds of former Camp Furlong from where Gen. John J. “Black Jack” Pershing launched 10,000 troops on an 11-month, 500-mile pursuit of Villa into Mexico. The Exhibit Hall tells the story that begins with the 1910 Mexican Revolution and ends with Pershing’s command of the Allied Forces when the U.S. entered World War I.
Percha Dam State Park – Sierra, NM
Percha Dam is one of the five top birding sites in New Mexico; Percha Dam State Park is particularly good for viewing during spring and autumn migration seasons. The park provides excellent fishing and bird watching along the river.
Rio Grande Nature Center State Park – Bernalillo, NM
Rio Grande Nature Center offers excellent bird watching throughout the year. The park offers regular nature walks, bird walks and twilight hikes as well as teacher workshops, seasonal classes and special events for all ages. Bosque trails, gardens, wildlife viewing blinds and hands-on exhibits are available to visitors who would like to explore on their own.
Rockhound State Park – Luna, NM
Rockhound Park consists of the main park and the Spring Canyon Recreation Area. The main park includes a 30-site campground, hiking trails and a visitor center on the west slopes of the Little Florida Mountains. The Spring Canyon Recreation Area is a day-use area located across the valley in the foothills of the Florida Mountains and includes picnic sites and hiking trails.
Santa Rosa Lake State Park – Guadalupe, NM
Santa Rosa Lake offers a variety of water recreation. Anglers are known to catch bass, catfish and walleye. Corps of Engineers visitor center has displays about area history, creation of the dam and natural history. Hiking trails wind through the wild areas around the lake.
Storrie Lake State Park – San Miguel, NM
Storrie Lake is open for fishing year-round. Storrie Lake boasts consistent winds that provide excellent conditions for sailing and windsurfing. Bird watching is a must in order to view the geese and ducks that flock to the lake during seasonal migrations. Follow walking-trails through sagebrush-covered landscape spotted with cactus, yucca and wildflowers.
Sugarite Canyon State Park – Colfax, NM
Sugarite Canyon is an extended cliff of basaltic rock columns, often referred to as "caprock," is the dominant geologic feature at the park. About 12 million years ago, broad sheets of molten lava erupted from a nearby volcano, forming layers of basalt rock 10 - 100 feet thick. Rock climbing is allowed on the caprock.
Sumner Lake State Park – De Baca, NM
Sumner Lake is base camp for exploring 19th-century history. Nearby attractions include two museums, the Bosque Redondo Memorial and Fort Sumner State Monument - a Civil War era outpost which was the destination of "The Historical Long Walk." Also nearby is the grave site of notorious outlaw Billy the Kid.
Ute Lake State Park – Quay, NM
Ute Lake offers some of the best walleye fishing in New Mexico. Anglers can also try their luck for bass, crappie, and catfish. Round-the-clock fishing is available every day of the year for angler fanatics. The lake has produced several state-record game fish.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial State Park – Colfax, NM
Vietnam Veterans Memorial provides veterans, and those who honor them, a refuge in which to reflect and heal. A representative from the Department of Veterans Services is present to offer assistance to veterans who require or request it. The 8,000 square foot visitor center and museum houses exhibits, videos and memorabilia.
Villanueva State Park – San Miguel, NM
Villanueva Park’s adobe-style picnic shelters were designed and grouped to resemble a Spanish hamlet, similar to those that existed in the area in earlier times. A footbridge gives hikers access to trails leading along the river and up to a cliff-top with panorama views.

North Dakota

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The origin of the State of North Dakota was taken from that of the Dakota or Sioux Indian Tribe which translates to the word for ‘’friend.’’ Today North Dakota is known for its wide open plains, in addition to its agricultural contributions in plants such as soybeans that are used to process over 200 billion crayons each year. Before North Dakota became a state, the Explorers William Clark and Meriwether Lewis, along with the Corps of Discovery, spent more time in the region than any other place on their journey. The benefits of their explorations along with other pioneers of the old west have laid the ground work for over a dozen state parks. These areas include laid back summer walks on trails, camping grounds, biking trails, and cross country skiing.

To find out more about each park in North Dakota you can visit the Department of Parks and Recreation site.

Beaver Lake – Napoleon, ND

Beaver Lake provides scenic views for leisurely walks. In the summer, the lake attracts visitors for boating, canoeing, water skiing and fishing. The park has a colorful and historic background relating to the early settlers of Logan, McIntosh and Emmons counties.

Cross Ranch – Hensler, ND

Cross Ranch is located along seven miles of the last free-flowing, undeveloped stretches of the Missouri River, North Dakota's Cross Ranch Centennial State Park is rich in both cultural and natural history. The park is purposely left primitive to preserve the land's natural beauty. The River Peoples Visitor Center has displays and information about the once mighty Missouri River.

Fort Abraham Lincoln - Mandan, ND

Fort Abraham Lincoln was once an important infantry and cavalry post. It was from this fort that Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer and the Seventh cavalry rode out on their ill-fated expedition against the Sioux at the Little Big Horn. Portions of the military post, including the Custer House, have been reconstructed.

Fort Ransom – Fort Ransom, ND

Fort Ransom is managed as a natural and scenic area, and is located on one of North Dakota's officially designated Scenic Byways and Backways, the Sheyenne River Valley National Scenic Byway. Canoeing is popular on the Sheyenne River during the summer, with canoe and kayak rentals available in the park. Snowmobiling and cross-country skiing are the major winter activities.

Fort Stevenson – Garrison, ND

Fort Stevenson is known as the walleye capital of North Dakota. A favorite spot for sportsmen to experience the great fishing on the lake, it is home to the Governor's Cup Walleye Fishing Derby, as well as a variety of other fishing tournaments.

Grahams Island – Devils Lake, ND

Grahams Island is home to a 1,142-acre park system including Grahams Island State Park and a boat access area on the east side of the lake, named Black Tiger Bay State Recreation Area. The lake features some of the best fishing in North Dakota, both summer and winter. Amenities at Grahams Island State Park include a boat ramp, bait shop, modern and primitive camping facilities and camping cabins.

Icelandic - Cavalier, ND

Icelandic offers visitors not only a wide array of recreational opportunities, but also glimpses of North Dakota's homesteading heritage and its natural beauty. Boating, swimming and fishing for northern pike and other game fish are popular activities.

Lake Metigoshe - Bottineau, ND

Lake Metigoshe was constructed by the Works Progress Administration (WPA) in the 1930s and is one of the most popular year-round vacation spots in North Dakota. The park has both modern and primitive camping, as well as picnicking areas. There are group dormitories, kitchen and meeting facilities and year-round cabins available for rent.

Lake Sakakawea – Pick City, ND

Lake Sakakawea is one of the three largest man-made reservoirs in the nation. It has a surface area of about 368,000 acres and is 178 miles long, reaching to Williston ND. Two large boat ramps serve the park for access to the best salmon fishing on the lake. The park hosts numerous fishing derbies throughout the summer.

Lewis and Clark – Williston, ND

Lewis and Clark is named for the Corps of Discovery explorers, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark. The expedition camped nearby on April 17, 1805, and an interpretive trail marker has been placed within the park to commemorate their historic journey through North Dakota. Lake Sakakawea offers excellent fishing (Walleye, Sauger, and Northern Pike) and boating opportunities. The park also offers a swimming beach with washed sand.

Little Missouri – Killdeer, ND

Little Missouri offers backpacking and horseback riding on the park's over 47 miles of trails are popular activities. Horse corrals are available for groups bringing in their own horses and artesian wells are located within the park for horse watering purposes.

Sully Creek – Medora, ND

Sully Creek is just minutes away from the historic town of Medora and Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This seasonal park is open from April 1 to November 30. Corrals are available for those bringing in their own horses. This primitive park also has a small campground with vault toilets. Horseback riders, mountain bikers and hikers have access to the 120-mile long Maah Daah Hey Trail.

Turtle River – Grand Forks, ND

Turtle River is located in a beautiful wooded valley. Constructed in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, the park offers year-round recreational activities, including camping, picnicking, fishing and trails for hiking, mountain biking and cross country skiing.

Nevada

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Throughout the state of Nevada, you can find an endless amount of activities in the state parks, including camping, fishing, tours, historical sites, and day hiking. The geology of Nevada gives it a variety of opportunities to visit different types of landscape all over the state. There is a total of 24 parks, recreation areas, and historic sites in the Nevada park system, which stretches across various landscapes such as alpine forests and dry deserts.

To learn more about Nevada’s State parks you can visit The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources website, or visit the Nevada Tourism website.

Beaver Dam State Park - Panaca, Nevada
Beaver Dam State Park allows visitors to experience the pristine, natural beauty and primitive, rustic character that distinguishes this park from all others. This includes camping, fishing, trails, and nature study.
Belmont Courthouse State Historic Site - Las Vegas, Nevada
Belmont Courthouse is located on the southeast slope of the Toquima Range at an elevation of about 8,000 feet. The town of Belmont had a life span of approximately 20 years. Within that time it became the county seat and produced $15,000,000 in mineral production. The courthouse operated only for 10 of those 20 years and remains erect and tall as if it should be in use today. The Courthouse is open to the public, and a bed and breakfast is nearby.
Berlin-Ichthyosaur State Park – Austin, Nevada
Berlin, a turn-of-the-century mining town, is preserved in a state of arrested decay. A trail through the town site tells the story of Berlin and its mine. Ichthyosaurs (pronounced “ick-thee-o-sores”) were ancient marine reptiles that swam in a warm ocean covering central Nevada 225 million years ago. Remains of these giant marine vertebrates are on display at the park’s Fossil House, and these official state fossils are a primary attraction for visitors from throughout the world.
Big Bend of the Colorado State Recreation Area - Laughlin, Nevada
Big Bend is one of Nevada’s newest state parks, opening in 1996. Situated on the shores of the Colorado River below Laughlin, Nevada’s southern tip, the park offers dramatic views of the river and surrounding mountains. Popular activities are picnicking, boating, fishing and swimming. The park also offers camping, hiking and group facilities.
Cathedral Gorge State Park – Panca, Nevada
Cathedral Gorge is located in a long, narrow valley where erosion has carved dramatic and unique patterns in the soft bentonite clay. Trails abound for exploring the cave-like formations and cathedral-like spires. The area includes camping, visitor center, trails, and a historic site,.
Cave Lake State Park – Ely, Nevada
Cave Lake features a 32-acre reservoir and provides excellent trout fishing, boating, swimming, hiking, camping and picnicking. The 4,500-acre park is at an elevation of 7,300 feet in the Schell Creek Range adjacent to the Humboldt National Forest. Winter activities include ice-skating, ice fishing and cross-country skiing.
Dayton State Park – Dayton, Nevada
Dayton Park consists of 160 acres with typical Great Basin desert topography. Cotton wood, desert sage, rabbitbrush and willows are prominent. Once a traditional Paiute Indian meeting place, Dayton was used by Paiute people as a base camp for fishing on the Carson River and as a winter camp sheltered from the snows of nearby Sierra. The discovery of silver later turned it into a boom town for prospectors.
Echo Canyon State Park - Pioche, Nevada
Echo Canyon offers a 35-acre reservoir with a campground, picnic area, group use facilities and boat launch. Abundant wildlife, a wide variety of native plants and unique rock formations make exploration a favorite activity. The area offers camping, trails, boating, nature study, and swimming.
Elgin Schoolhouse State Historic Site - Caliente, Nevada
Elgin Schoolhouse State Historic Site was closed indefinitely as of May 15, 2008. This was due to heavy flooding that damaged the area in 2005.
Fort Churchill State Historic Park – Silver Springs, Nevada
Fort Churchill was once an active U.S. Army fort. Built in 1861 to provide protection for early settlers, it was abandoned nine years later. Today the ruins are preserved in a state of arrested decay. A visitor center displays information and artifacts of the fort’s history. The area includes camping, visitors center, trails, historic sites, fishing, and nature study.
Kershaw-Ryan State Park – Caliente, Nevada
Kershaw-Ryan Park is situated in Rainbow Canyon in eastern Nevada. The area includes fruit trees and a grass lawn surrounding a spring-fed pond, providing a beautiful contrast to the rugged landscape. A picnic area, children’s wading pool, playground, group-use area and trails offer visitors nature study, photography, picnicking and hiking.
Lahontan State Recreation Area – Fallon, Nevada
Lahontan Reservoir, with 69 miles of shoreline, covers 12,000 surface acres when full and features fishing, boating and water skiing, as well as camping, picnicking, boat launches, restrooms with showers and RV dump stations. Horseback riding and wildlife viewing are best in spring. Canoeing from Fort Churchill to the lake makes for a great day trip when conditions allow.
Lake Tahoe Nevada State Park – Nevada
Lake Tahoe is divided into three sections.
· Sand Harbor - With 55 acres of long sandy beaches, rocky coves, shady forested areas and panoramic lake views, Sand Harbor offers visitors unparalleled opportunities to enjoy Lake Tahoe. The area includes a nature trail, visitor center, boating, and swimming.
· Spooner Backcountry - is a widespread recreational and natural oasis. Spooner Lake is popular for picnicking and catch-and-release fishing. It is also home to the Spooner Lake Outdoor Company, a park concessionaire that offers world-class cross-country skiing in the winter, an overnight stay in backcountry cabins and mountain bike rentals for riding miles of trails in the summer months.
· Cave Rock - A small day-use area is tucked beneath the rugged volcanic face of Cave Rock. Facilities include a boat launch ramp and dock, comfort station, picnic sites, and a small sandy beach. The entrance is on Highway 50, three miles south of Glenbrook, just south of the Cave Rock tunnels.
Mormon Station State Historic Park – Genoa, Nevada
Mormon Station is the site of Nevada’s first permanent non-native settlement. A replica of the original trading post, built in 1851, houses a museum with pioneer-era artifacts. Picnic and group use facilities are available.
Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort State Historic Park – Las Vegas, Nevada
Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort in the Las Vegas Valley were a group of Mormon missionaries who built an adobe fort along Las Vegas Creek in 1855. The fort was called Old Las Vegas Mormon Fort. The area includes a visitors center and historic sites.
Rye Patch State Recreation Area – Lovelock, Nevada
Rye Patch visitors enjoy camping, picnicking, fishing and water-skiing at the recreation area’s 22-mile long reservoir on the Humboldt River. Fishing for crappie, wipers, white bass, channel catfish, black bass and walleye is usually best in spring and early summer, with fall being a good season for catfish.
South Fork State Recreation Area – Spring Creek, Nevada
South Fork covers 1,650 acres and is surrounded by 2,200 acres of wildlife-filled meadow lands and rolling hills. It is popular for hunting, camping, boating, picnicking, winter sports and wildlife viewing. The park is best known for its trophy-class trout and bass fishery. Facilities include a boat launch, campground, trailer dump station and picnic area.
Spring Mountain Ranch State Park - Blue Diamond, Nevada
Spring Mountain Ranch gives visitors an opportunity to view life at the ranch as it might have been. These programs, which began in 1992, include costumed role playing, demonstrations and re-enactments of historic events such as the Civil War. The area includes a visitors center, historic sites, and tours.
Spring Valley State Park – Pioche, Nevada
Spring Valley is a popular area for fishing, camping and sight-seeing. Visitors also enjoy hiking, exploring and touring the historic Ranch House museum. Eagle Valley Reservoir is the primary attraction at Spring Valley State Park. The 65-acre reservoir is currently managed as a put-and-take sport fishery. Rainbow trout is the primary species.
Valley of Fire State Park – Overton, Nevada
Valley of Fire is Nevada’s oldest and largest state park, dedicated in 1935. Ancient trees and early man are represented throughout the park by areas of petrified wood and 3,000 year-old Indian petroglyphs. Popular activities include camping, hiking, picnicking and photography. The park offers a full-scale visitor center with extensive interpretive displays.
Ward Charcoal Ovens State Historic Park – Ely, Nevada
Ward Charcoal Ovens Park is mostly known for its six beehive-shaped historic charcoal ovens. The park offers an array of recreational opportunities including camping, trails, nature study, and historic sites.
Washoe Lake State Park – Carson City, Nevada
Washoe Lake is known for hiking, biking, camping, boating, water sports, picnicking, equestrian activities and enjoying beautiful views of the nearby Sierra Nevada, Carson and Virginia Mountain Ranges. The park provides 8,053 acres divided nearly equally between land and water for year-round recreational use.
Wild Horse State Recreation Area – Elko, Nevada
Wild Horse visitors pursue rainbow trout. German brown trout, small mouth bass, wiper, yellow perch, and catfish are also in the reservoir. Fishing seems best during spring and fall. Visitors to the area enjoy camping, picnicking, hunting, and boating.