Despite being Wisconsin's most-visited state park, I find that many people I talk to don't know about Devil's Lake in Baraboo. However, it's my favorite of Wisconsin's 50 state parks.

In my opinion, the park's East and West Bluff trails offer some of the best panoramic views in the Midwest. Additionally, the massive rock formations — like Balanced Rock and Devil's Doorway — make it a favorite for hikers and rock climbers alike.

Beyond the cliffs, the park offers kayaking, swimming, and peaceful lakeside picnic areas, making it a perfect year-round destination.

Often nicknamed the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth State Park is a natural wonder where the Genesee River carves through a deep gorge, creating three stunning waterfalls framed by towering cliffs.

With 66 miles of hiking trails, scenic overlooks, and endless opportunities for outdoor recreation, Letchworth is a paradise for nature lovers.

The park is especially magical in the fall, with its vibrant autumn foliage, making it one of the most spectacular leaf-peeping destinations in the Northeast.

West Virginia is another one of my favorite states for outdoor recreation. Its state park system is full of gems, but I always recommend visiting Coopers Rock State Forest.

I love hiking in this park or simply enjoying a sunset at Coopers Rock Overlook, which offers a panoramic view of the Cheat River Gorge.

The park also has many unique rock formations scattered throughout the forest along the miles of scenic trails.

Matthiessen State Park is a hidden gem known for its dramatic canyons, cascading waterfalls, and towering forests, creating a stunning, almost magical landscape.

With peaceful trails and fewer crowds than nearby Starved Rock State Park, Matthiessen is a must-visit for nature lovers in the Midwest. I especially love visiting in the fall to enjoy the changing foliage.

When visiting Utah, many travelers aim to see one (or all) of the state's "Mighty Five" national parks. However, Utah is also home to 46 state parks — my favorite being Kodachrome Basin.

Just over 20 miles from Bryce Canyon National Park, Kodachrome Basin feels like stepping into another world entirely.

The less-crowded landscape is a stunning mix of red, orange, and yellow hues, and striking "sand pipes" — tall, thin spires of rock that the park is known for.

Hike, camp, or drive through the rock formations of this hidden gem park for a peaceful adventure.

With four major national parks and over 40 state parks, Colorado is known for outdoor recreation. However, I've found that, outside of the locals, many people don't know about one of my favorite places to visit — Eldorado Canyon State Park.

Just 9 miles outside Boulder, the park is known for its dramatic canyon views, rock climbing, and scenic hiking trails. Its towering golden sandstone cliffs make it one of the top climbing destinations in the US, with over 500 routes.

Visitors can also choose to cross-country ski or snowshoe in the winter months.

The Big Island of Hawaii is home to the gorgeous 'Akaka Falls State Park. Named for the dramatic 442-foot 'Akaka Falls waterfall, the park is a must-visit in the area.

The small park packs a big punch, with a short trail through lush tropical greenery leading to the picturesque falls.

Dead Horse Point State Park in Utah is less than 30 miles from Arches and Canyonlands National Parks. However, in my opinion, it doesn't get the recognition it deserves.

The park is home to an overlook with a breathtaking view of the Colorado River, which sits 2,000 feet below the rim.

Hike, bike, or camp at this International Dark Sky Park for dramatic views of the river and the surrounding canyons.

California is an outdoor-lovers paradise, with nine major national parks (the most of any US state) and 280 state-park units. However, its largest state park is one you may not have heard of: Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.

The 600,000-acre park in Southern California, famed for its wildflower blooms, has a mix of desert landscapes, rugged mountains, palm oases, and sweeping vistas.

After you're done exploring the park, head to the nearby Galleta Meadows to find 130 large metal sculptures created by artist Ricardo Breceda.

Franconia Notch State Park is in the heart of the White Mountains, with scenic drives, challenging hikes, and gorgeous photo opportunities.

I love hiking through the popular Flume Gorge, a natural chasm that extends 800 feet, with boardwalks snaking through granite cliffs, moss-covered walls, and cascading waterfalls.

I recommend visiting in the fall to hike the popular Artist's Bluff Trail and enjoy the vibrant fall foliage.

In my opinion, Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is the very definition of "otherworldly." It's located about an hour northeast of Las Vegas and is Nevada's oldest and largest state park.

Valley of Fire, named for its stunning red-sandstone formations, is an amazing destination for a scenic drive, gorgeous photo opportunities, hiking, and camping.

The Oregon Coast is one of my favorite places in the country, and Ecola State Park is a big reason I love the area so much.

The coastal park offers some of the most iconic views of the rugged Oregon coastline, including Cannon Beach and Haystack Rock.

Driving into this park, which is surrounded by temperate rainforest, feels like being transported into a fairytale.

For a low-key day, I recommend visiting the beach or picnicking in the park. If you're in the mood to hike, some of my favorite trails include Clatsop Loop and Indian Beach.

I've visited all 50 states, but Maine is one of my favorite places to travel to. I particularly love the DownEast area of coastal communities, where Quoddy Head State Park is located.

The park is home to the iconic West Quoddy Head Light, which is the easternmost point of the contiguous US.

I recommend spending time hiking along the Coastal Trail and keeping a lookout for whales.

Known as the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth State Park lives up to the hype. In a way, it's like the Grand Canyon meets Niagara Falls, as the park's enormous gorge is dotted with a series of impressive waterfalls. 

The 7-mile Gorge Trail runs along much of the gorge's rim and has plenty of scenic overlooks and opportunities to hike down (or up) to the falls. There are also several bathrooms, snack bars, and restaurants along the way. 

If you prefer a more isolated and facility-free trek, head to the lesser-visited Finger Lakes Trail. During a recent 15-mile hike along it, I only ran into one person.

Watkins Glen State Park is about an hour-and-20-minute drive from Letchworth, so it's easy to get both in on the same trip. In fact, both parks are often featured on lists of the best state parks in the country.

Watkins Glen is much smaller and has fewer hiking trails than Letchworth, but it packs a pretty punch of beauty along its short, main trails. 

The two-mile main trail follows the glen's stream, which generates 19 waterfalls as it dives down 400 feet. The path winds over and under waterfalls through refreshing sprays of water.

Because you can start and finish the walk at various places, you can walk a distinct route each way.

Like the national parks, Watkins Glen State Park has a ton of options for tent camping and RVs.

However, since you're only 10 minutes from the city of Watkins Glen, you could easily go the hotel and restaurant route instead.

Montana's largest state park, Makoshika State Park, is also the most unusual.

Come for the out-of-this-world badland formations and stay for the fossilized remains of prehistoric creatures.

Makoshika comes from the Lakota phrase meaning "bad land" or "bad earth," and here, mudstone and sandstone badlands stretch across over 11,500 acres.

Mushroom- and Mars-like formations shoot up from the land like orange, gray, and rust-colored stone tents in a fossilized fairy forest.

The delightfully distinctive landscape also makes it a pristine place for photography lovers.

South Carolina is loaded with photo-worthy locations, but the most-photographed natural wonder in the state is the exquisite Table Rock State Park.

Nestled along the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this underrated state park is basically a huge chunk of metamorphic rock that geology nerds and happy hikers can both get excited about. 

The challenging seven-mile Table Rock Trail hike requires visitors to climb more than 2,000 feet in elevation, but the epic views at the top are well worth it. 

My favorite feature, however, might be the adorable accommodations inside the park. Think rustic wood cabins with fireplaces, flannel bedspreads, porches with rocking chairs, and full kitchens, so you don't need to leave the park if you don't want to.

If hiking isn't your thing, you can also explore the park by kayak, raft, or even hot-air balloon.

Kachemak Bay State Park was declared Alaska's first state park in 1972, and its mountains, forests, beaches, glaciers, and ocean are home to an astounding number of wildlife species. 

Sea otters, seals, porpoises, and even whales make frequent appearances along the bay, as do eagles and the ever-popular puffins.

Inland dwellers include moose, mountain goats, coyotes, wolves, and black bears, which you might be lucky enough to spot while hiking or skiing.

The park's remoteness helps preserve its ecological diversity and wilderness status, and its limited access points mean the park receives fewer visitors than other parks on the list.

Since there are no roads into the park, you'll need to fly or water taxi in from Homer, Alaska. If you plan to head into the backcountry, be prepared and bring a satellite device.

Tettegouche State Park is about an hour north of Duluth, Minnesota. 

Hiking along the waterfront trails of Tettegouche reminded me of the jagged cliffs of Acadia National Park in Maine — but with far fewer tourists.

Lake Superior is so vast — and can get so whipped up on a windy day — that it really feels like the Atlantic Ocean. The crashing waves provide even more ambiance to the already astonishing scenery.

The park also has a range of trails, from the short-and-sweet waterfront walk to Shovel Point with 300 steps to climb (but plenty of scenic overlooks to stop at) to the over 300-mile Superior Hiking Trail.

Not to throw shade on Acadia, which truly is a stunning national park, but Baxter State Park is basically its lesser-known and lesser-visited cousin.

Like Acadia, Baxter has amazing hiking, but it can also claim both Maine's highest peak, Mount Katahdin, and the terminus of the Appalachian Trail.

Head out on the northernmost end of the Appalachian Trail or tackle the Knife's Edge Trail, where you hike along the peak's ridge and feel like you're at the top of the world.

If hiking isn't your thing, you have 200,000 acres of parkland to wander around at your own pace, taking in tranquil lakes and gushing waterfalls while watching for hawks, eagles, and even black bears.

Because the park's main priority is preserving wilderness, it lacks paved roads, running water, and electricity, so you can really enjoy an off-the-grid experience.

In my opinion, Custer State Park is the most beautiful park in South Dakota. This stunning 71,000-acre park is a wildlife wonderland in the middle of the rolling Black Hills.

My family spent several days exploring the park, and while the hiking was great, the highlight of our weeklong trip was the buffalo jeep safari tour. 

Hundreds of buffalo wandered the hills, lazily sauntering in front of and around the open-air vehicle. Many of them were only a few inches from us.

Hawaii has some of the most stunning scenery in the country, so it's no surprise that its state parks are also jaw-droppingly beautiful.

Nāpali Coast State Wilderness Park takes its name from the pali, or cliffs, that rise thousands of feet above the Pacific Ocean and create deep and narrow valleys punctuated with waterfalls.

Like many of the most remote and well-preserved wilderness areas, the park is not accessed by bridge or road. Rather, you need to either hike the coast or take a boat in.

Once you're in the park, you'll have more than 6,000 acres of remote beaches, lush valleys, and forested cliffs to explore by foot, kayak, or snorkel.

If you're looking for spectacular scenery and dreamy desert views without the crowds of nearby Arches National Park, head to the lesser-known Dead Horse Point State Park. 

Its desert canyons and woodlands very closely resemble the Grand Canyon, and the immensity of this park is the sort of thing you need to see to believe.

Hike along red-rock trails and down into deep canyons, bike the thrilling single-track Intrepid Trail System, or simply just look up for some world-class stargazing.

Dead Horse Canyon is an official International Dark Sky Park. On a clear night, you can see thousands of sparkling stars illuminating the desert landscape.