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
Connecticut
Explore the Midieval-Looking Mansion at Gillette Castle State Park
Delaware
Stand-Up Paddleboard at Fenwick Island State Park
Georgia
Walk Through Wormsloe State Historic Site: Former Plantation & Oldest Standing Structure in Savannah
Idaho
Soak in Goldbug Hot Springs Outside of Salmon, Idaho
Iowa
Explore the Caves at Maquoketa Caves State Park
Kansas
Photograph Monument Rocks National Natural Landmark
Louisiana
Go Bird Watching at One of Louisiana’s Many Wildlife Refuges
Maryland
Visit Great Falls Park and Go for a Hike
Massachusetts
Photograph the Annisquam Lighthouse at Sunset
Mississippi
Drive the Great River Road National Scenic Byway in Mississippi
Nebraska
Hike Through Scotts Bluff National Monument
New Hampshire
Drive and Hike Through the White Mountains During Peak Leaf-Peeping Season
New Jersey
Enjoy Sunset Picnic at Island Beach State Park
New York
Experience the Views from the Top of New York’s’ Tallest Cascading Waterfall—Kaaterskill Falls
Oklahoma
Go Wildlife Watching at Wichita Mountain Wildlife Refuge
Pennsylvania
Photograph Fall Foliage at Factory Falls in Childs Park
Rhode Island
Walk Along the Base of the 200-Foot-Tall Mohegan Bluffs at Block Island
Vermont
Ski Powder at Killington Ski Resort—The Largest Ski Area in the Eastern U.S.
Wisconsin
Spend a Summer Weekend at Devil’s Lake State Park
