Did you know that the oldest state park in the United States is right here in New York State? It's true! This 400 acre park, nearly half of which is under water, was established in 1885 as the Niagara Reservation. Niagara Falls State Park in Niagara Falls, NY is the oldest but is it the best?

According to the National Association of State Park Directors, there are 6,792 state parks in the United States. To be ranked among the Top 10 Best State Parks in America is impressive. One New York State Park made it into the Top 5.

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The pandemic of 2020 ushered many people out of doors for recreation. In 2021 New York Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York's State parks, historic sites, campgrounds, and trails set a record of more than 78 million visits that year. The numbers have remained strong since.

The same park popularity was felt from coast to coast and, based on research by Time Out, these are the Top 10 Best State Parks in the United States of America.

518 news, top 10 best state parks, Texas
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#10 - Big Bend Ranch State Park - Presidio, Texas

Franconia Notch, New Hampshire
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#9 - Franconia Notch State Park - Lincoln, New Hampshire

Ecola State Park, Oregon
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#8 - Ecola State Park - Near Seaside, Oregon

Quoddy Head State Park, Maine
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#7 - Quoddy Head State Park - Lubec, Maine

Chugach State Park, Alaska
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#6 - Chugach State Park - Anchorage, Alaska

Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park, Big Sur, California
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#5 - Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park - Big Sur, California

Letchworth State Park, Castile, New York
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#4 - Letchworth State Park - Castile, New York

Goblin Valley State Park, Utah
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#3 - Goblin Valley State Park - Green River, Utah

Custer State Park, Utah
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#2 - Custer State Park - Custer, South Dakota

Amelia Island, Florida
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#1 - Amelia Island State Park - North Jacksonville, Florida

The 11 Most Visited National Parks In America

With 63 National Parks in America, there are lots of places to visit, but here are the 11 most popular tourist destinations when it comes to annual visitors according to More Than Just Parks.

Gallery Credit: Nick Northern

Re-Live Your Childhood Memories at This Enchanting Park in the Adirondacks

Check out these photos of Enchanted Forest Water Safari and see if it's the way you remember it being when you were a kid (we're guessing it is!).

Gallery Credit: Traci Taylor

A Look Inside the Abandoned Letchworth Village in Thiells, NY

Letchworth Village has been closed since 1996, but the dark and haunted history of the Rockland County psychiatric hospital is still a topic of discussion today.

Gallery Credit: Emma Ferriter

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