These Are the Only States in the Country Without a National Park—and What to Do There Instead

If you love national parks, you might be thinking, "What is there to do in a state without one?!" Well, below we've compiled a list of our favorite outdoor adventures in these states!
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There’s a total of 63 national parks in the United States. One might assume the parks would cover most of the country—but that’s not the case! While there are dozens of parks, they only exist in a little more than half of the country’s states. There are still 20 states that don’t have a national park. Chances are, you’ll either vacation or pass through many of those states at some point. We’ve compiled a list of those 20 states and something to do there instead. 

Alabama

Hike to DeSoto Falls in DeSoto State Park

Desoto Falls

Connecticut

Explore the Midieval-Looking Mansion at Gillette Castle State Park

Gillette Castle State Park

Delaware

Stand-Up Paddleboard at Fenwick Island State Park

Fenwick Island State Park

Georgia

Walk Through Wormsloe State Historic Site: Former Plantation & Oldest Standing Structure in Savannah

Wormsloe Historic Site

Idaho

Soak in Goldbug Hot Springs Outside of Salmon, Idaho

goldbug hot springs

Iowa

Explore the Caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park

Caves

Kansas

Photograph Monument Rocks National Natural Landmark

monument rocks national natural landmark

Louisiana

Go Bird Watching at One of Louisiana’s Many Wildlife Refuges

bird watching

Maryland

Visit Great Falls Park and Go for a Hike

Maryland

Massachusetts

Photograph the Annisquam Lighthouse at Sunset
anniquam lighthouse

Mississippi

Drive the Great River Road National Scenic Byway in Mississippi

scenic byway

Nebraska

Hike Through Scotts Bluff National Monument

Scotts Bluff National Monument

New Hampshire

Drive and Hike Through the White Mountains During Peak Leaf-Peeping Season

white mountains nh

New Jersey

Enjoy Sunset Picnic at Island Beach State Park

island beach state park

New York

Experience the Views from the Top of New York’s’ Tallest Cascading Waterfall—Kaaterskill Falls

catskill falls

Oklahoma

Go Wildlife Watching at Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge

wildlife oklahoma

Pennsylvania

Photograph Fall Foliage at Factory Falls in Childs Park

factory falls

Rhode Island

Walk Along the Base of the 200-Foot-Tall Mohegan Bluffs at Block Island

Mohegan Bluffs

Vermont

Ski Powder at Killington Ski Resort—The Largest Ski Area in the Eastern U.S.

Ski area vermont

Wisconsin

Spend a Summer Weekend at Devil’s Lake State Park

devil's lake wisconsin

Other Places & Experiences

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