Discover Parks & Wildlife contains affiliate links and is a member of the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. If you make a purchase using one of the Amazon links (or other affiliate links), we may receive compensation at no extra cost to you. See our disclosure policy for more information.
13 Scenic RV Parks Off The Beaten Path (That You’ll Want To Keep To Yourself)
Are you craving the perfect blend of nature and comfort but refuse to trade your cozy RV bed for a tent pitched on a rock-hard mystery patch? You’re in the right place. Parks are smorgasbords of adventure (and mosquitoes), but fear not, some spots are the crème de la crème for rolling in style.
Think towering trees mingling with Wi-Fi signals, starry skies, and campfires where your s’mores won’t taste like sad, smoky regrets. Feeling skeptical? Challenge accepted.
And don’t forget to drop your own nuggets of wisdom or hidden gems in the comments on MSN. Who doesn’t love a little unsolicited camping advice?
Lake Murray State Park, Oklahoma
Think Oklahoma is nothing but endless flat land? Think again. Lake Murray State Park is the state’s first and largest state park, and no, it’s not just a giant lake slapped into the middle of nowhere. It’s a sprawling 12,500 acres of trails, rolling hills, and yes, one seriously stunning lake.
Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps, this place practically breathes history hidden behind a facade of tranquility. Ever wanted to hike, bike, and paddleboard in one day? Boom, this is your spot. And that breeze off the water? Crisp, like nature’s own air conditioner.
Kissimmee Prairie Preserve State Park, Florida
Take Florida and subtract the sticky beaches, add endless skies, and toss in more stars than a Hollywood gala. Kissimmee Prairie Preserve is smack dab in the middle of nowhere (in the best way) and famous for being a designated Dark Sky Park.
By day, it’s all about the wide-open prairies and spotting rare grasshopper sparrows (a bird so fancy you’ll need binoculars to keep up). By night? Cue the Milky Way stretching across the heavens, breaking your brain with its beauty. Bug spray is mandatory, though… because, Florida.
Fort De Soto Park, Florida
Fort De Soto isn’t just another pretty beach; it’s a five-island paradise with a sprinkle of history for the overachievers out there. Built during the Spanish-American War, the fort itself looks like something pirates might’ve fought over (they didn’t).
Kayak through mangroves, lounge on one of “America’s Best Beaches” (whatever committee decides that), or bike around while pretending those sea breezes are cheering you on. And if you’re into ghost stories? The fort at night gives “chilling history” a run for its money. Just don’t blame me if you hear whispers in the wind.
Cloudland Canyon State Park, Georgia
Cloudland Canyon? Sounds like a place out of your favorite story as a child… and it kind of is. Tucked into Georgia’s Appalachian Plateau, this park delivers views so jaw-dropping you might actually risk tripping over your own feet.
Dramatic cliffs, waterfalls that look straight out of a screensaver, and trails ranging from “grandma could do this” to “who needs knees anyway?” await. It’s like the universe decided to bundle awe and exhaustion into one perfect package. Word of advice though? Pace yourself. Those stairs to the waterfalls aren’t playing around.
Jonathan Dickinson State Park, Florida
Jonathan Dickinson has a wild past. Once home to a secret WWII radar training camp (low-key awesome, right?), it’s now a sprawling playground of ponds, rivers, and Florida scrub. Want to pet an alligator? Don’t.
But you can paddle past them on the Loxahatchee River, Florida’s first federally designated wild and scenic river. It’s humid, it’s sweaty, and it’s absolutely worth it. And if you squint long enough, you might even spot a bald eagle doing laps.
Tallulah Gorge State Park, Georgia
Tallulah Gorge isn’t just a gorge… it’s the gorge, and honestly, that name? Doesn’t really do it justice. It’s two miles long and nearly 1,000 feet deep (basically Georgia’s version of flexing on the Grand Canyon).
For thrill-seekers, there’s a suspension bridge swaying perilously above the river below. For everyone else, the waterfalls cascading through the park are more than enough to induce a dramatic gasp or two. And autumn here is a total show-off with those fiery leaves painting the landscape.
Ozarks RV Resort On Table Rock Lake, Arkansas
What’s better than camping? Camping with luxury! The Ozarks RV Resort on Table Rock Lake is the Ritz-Carlton of RV parks (minus the robes, but you can BYO). Situated along the shimmering lake in Arkansas, it’s where nature meets high maintenance.
Picture yourself sipping coffee on a balcony (yes, some RV sites have balconies) in between rounds of golf or a sunset paddle. The warm breeze tangles with the quiet hum of life at the lake, but here’s the catch: you’re still in nature. Bring bug spray. Lots of it.
Silver Falls State Park, Oregon
If a place could audition for a shampoo commercial, Silver Falls State Park would crush it. “Ten falls, endless trails, and hair so hydrated it glistens in the mist!” Located in Oregon’s lush forests, this park flaunts its star attraction on the Trail of Ten Falls.
And spoiler: you can walk behind waterfalls like you’re in some over-the-top movie scene. It’s all moss, earthy smells, and that constant roar of tumbling water. But don’t get too starry-eyed. The Pacific Northwest rain won’t hesitate to outshine the falls by drenching you.
Hunting Island State Park, South Carolina
Meet South Carolina’s extremely photogenic island getaway, Hunting Island State Park. It’s got sandy beaches that stretch like a yawn, marshy tidal pools reflecting the soft pinks of dawn, and a lighthouse.
This one dates back to 1859, and you can climb its 167 steps. The reward? Sweeping ocean views that almost make you forget your legs are now noodles. The salty air and screeching gulls are free, but beware… those mosquitoes? Absolute freeloaders.
Custer State Park, South Dakota
Wildlife safari, but make it Midwestern. At Custer State Park, you’re rolling in South Dakota’s Black Hills, where buffalo quite literally own the road. Forget car horns; these big guys saunter wherever they please, and you’re just a visitor.
Add pristine lakes, granite peaks, and winding roads like the Needles Highway, and you’ve got something truly special. Oh, and if you hear an elk bugling during mating season? It’s not a weird trumpet, it’s love, Black Hills-style. Romantic, right?
Assateague State Park, Maryland
Want horses with your beach? At Assateague, it’s all about wild ponies strutting like they pay the rent. Maryland’s slice of this barrier island is sparkling shoreline meets untamed charm. Think waves crashing as herds of ponies trot through sand dunes, looking indifferent to your camera angle.
Don’t even think about feeding them; stay for the views, not a lecture on wildlife ethics. Bonus? Waking up in a campsite as the ocean practically knocks on your door. Yeah, not bad.
Hocking Hills State Park, Ohio
Ohio isn’t all cornfields. It’s also got Hocking Hills, a spot where nature really went all out. Picture twisting canyons dripping with ferns, waterfalls tumbling into emerald pools, and caves whispering secrets of the past.
Old Man’s Cave takes center stage. And no, it’s not your grumpy neighbor’s hideout. It’s a sandstone marvel. Expect the occasional hiker gasp here (it’s stunning) or wheeze (that incline always wins).
George Washington Carver National Monument, Missouri
Peanuts might’ve made him famous, but George Washington Carver? Total Renaissance man. This Missouri monument celebrates his genius, from his agricultural innovations to his artwork. Walk the serene paths surrounded by tall grass prairie while considering how much smarter Carver was… than, well, anyone.
There’s his childhood home, plus a museum. Thinking about complaining? Carver once said, “How far you go in life depends on your being tender with the young.” Translation? Stop whining and enjoy the hike.
Like Our Content? Follow Us on MSN (or click the Follow Button above) for more from Discover Parks & Wildlife.
12 Volcanic Wonders You Can Actually Walk On
Take a stroll through a smoldering landscape that’s more than a little fiery. Who wouldn’t want to tiptoe across nature’s hot plates and feel like a contestant on a daring survival show where the ground could literally be lava?
15 Enchanting Desert Destinations You’ll Be Amazed You’ve Never Heard Of
Ready to uncover some secret sandy and hot spots that’ll make you throw shade at every other vacation you’ve had?
11 Breathtaking Mountain Lakes That Demand Your Attention Now
Prepare to have your jaw hit the floor; these mountain lakes redefine the meaning of “scenic.”
