Contents
How Many State Parks Are There in Every State?
| State | Number of Parks | Total Park Area (Acres) |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama | 21 | 48000 |
| Alaska | 34 | 3427895 |
| Arizona | 29 | 64000 |
| Arkansas | 46 | 54400 |
| California | 139 | 1600000 |
| Colorado | 43 | 210000 |
| Connecticut | 102 | 32500 |
| Delaware | 17 | 26000 |
| Florida | 158 | 800000 |
| Georgia | 49 | 84000 |
| Hawaii | 20 | 30000 |
| Idaho | 27 | 43000 |
| Illinois | 41 | 475000 |
| Indiana | 23 | 170000 |
| Iowa | 54 | 53000 |
| Kansas | 28 | 117000 |
| Kentucky | 38 | 48262 |
| Louisiana | 21 | 45000 |
| Maine | 32 | 500000 |
| Maryland | 48 | 97000 |
| Massachusetts | 48 | 450000 |
| Michigan | 77 | 357000 |
| Minnesota | 65 | 267000 |
| Mississippi | 25 | 450000 |
| Missouri | 55 | 160000 |
| Montana | 46 | 41000 |
| Nebraska | 17 | 35000 |
| Nevada | 20 | 80000 |
| New Hampshire | 43 | 64000 |
| New Jersey | 27 | 430000 |
| New Mexico | 35 | 192000 |
| New York | 164 | 350000 |
| North Carolina | 33 | 250000 |
| North Dakota | 13 | 3800000 |
| Ohio | 74 | 170000 |
| Oklahoma | 38 | 60000 |
| Oregon | 54 | 113000 |
| Pennsylvania | 124 | 300000 |
| Rhode Island | 14 | 8200 |
| South Carolina | 37 | 90000 |
| South Dakota | 13 | 96000 |
| Tennessee | 56 | 200000 |
| Texas | 76 | 580000 |
| Utah | 42 | 90000 |
| Vermont | 56 | 350000 |
| Virginia | 41 | 75895 |
| Washington | 142 | 140000 |
| West Virginia | 35 | 164000 |
| Wisconsin | 48 | 60000 |
| Wyoming | 11 | 46000 |
Nature has a way of clearing your mind and relieving the stress of a world that is so often set at high speed.
Natural settings may seem to be quickly disappearing, but each state has areas of refuge for both humans and animals.
These are state parks.
There is a grand total of 6,792 state parks throughout this country, and each is a unique place.
Why State Parks Were Created
It was becoming clear that many of the natural areas of the country were disappearing quickly as the population grew.
In order to help preserve some of this natural environment so that future generations could also enjoy the beauty, state parks were created.
These areas were set aside with their own protectors and rules.
They give people from every walk of life a place to enjoy nature without having to spend a lot of money, as these parks are free to enter and explore throughout the day.
What State Parks Offer
State parks offer people a chance to enjoy the beauty and peace of nature.
Most of them offer a wide variety of lakes, creeks, streams, and many other habitats.
You have a chance to see animals that are in their natural environment and not shut up in cages at zoos.
People can enjoy hiking, fishing, and even hunting within limits.
Natural beauty is often the only place to see and experience many plants that have disappeared due to human settlements.
All of this is offered at no cost to visitors, who visit state parks at the rate of 322 million people a year.
This is a great indication of how humans yearn for nature and its benefits.
How Many Parks Are in Each State?
There are six states that have over 100 state parks.
These states are New York, Florida, Washington, California, Pennsylvania, and Connecticut.
Of these, New York boasts the largest number of state parks in the country at 164.
Four states offer visitors between 60 and 80 parks to choose from.
These are Minnesota, Ohio, Texas, and Michigan.
Sixteen states in the country offer anywhere from forty to sixty state parks.
Another 18 states offer between 20 and 40.
These two categories cover the majority of state offerings and offer a wide variety of experiences to visitors.
The lowest number of state parks is in Rhode Island, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Wyoming.
Rhode Island has 14, North and South Dakota each have 13, and Wyoming has 11 state parks.
United States Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: United States Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: MEDIUM
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
- MUGGING RISK: LOW
- TERRORISM RISK: MEDIUM
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the largest state park in Pennsylvania, and the smallest?
Pymatuning State Park is the largest one in the state of Pennsylvania, and it also extends into Ohio.
The smallest state park in Pennsylvania is Sand Bridge State Park, at a mere three acres.
What is the nation's oldest state park?
The first state park, Niagra Falls State Falls in New York, was created in 1885 and is the oldest state park in the country.
What is the largest state park in the United States?
Adirondack State Park in New York is the largest in the country.
It offers approximately six million acres of land to explore.
Can you camp in state parks?
State parks are a favorite of many travelers.
Most offer camping free for one night.
Others charge only a minimal fee for camping, including the use of amenities such as water.
You need to check with individual parks to see what their restrictions may be.
State parks offer a peaceful escape into nature and with a total of 6,792 parks across the country, there are plenty of options for everyone to enjoy.