Add These State Parks to Your Bucket List
We’ve hiked them, camped in them, and made lifelong memories, here’s where we think you should go next.
Growing up in Eastern New York, I had a pretty negative view of state campgrounds. Most in our area were outdated, couldn’t accommodate larger RVs, and worst of all offered no hookups. No water. No electric. Nothing.
When we owned our RV rental business, we’d often see renters booking sites at local state parks, and I never understood it. Why rent an RV just to park it somewhere you can’t even use the shower or A/C? To me, it felt like glorified tent camping.
That was the image I had whenever I heard the words "state campground."
But that perspective has completely changed.
We’ve now traveled to state parks all across the country, and I’ve learned that not all state campgrounds are created equal. In fact, even in New York, especially as you head west, you’ll find parks that are not only beautiful, but also RV-friendly, with spacious sites and full hookups.
The benefits of state campgrounds? They often come with lower nightly rates, peaceful settings, fewer crowds, and easy access to nature. Some even offer full hookups and modern amenities.
If you haven’t given state parks a chance lately, you might be surprised. Below, I’m sharing some of our favorite state campgrounds that are worth adding to your travel list. Just be sure to book early because of the affordable rates, these parks tend to fill up fast. Bonus tip: If you’re a resident of the state, you may get a discount or access to extended booking windows.
Letchworth State Park – New York
Often called the "Grand Canyon of the East," Letchworth State Park is a must-visit, especially in the fall when the foliage is at peak. The park features stunning waterfalls, scenic overlooks, and miles of hiking trails that wind through gorges and forests. It's high on our list for autumn adventures and is perfect for photographers, nature lovers, and families.
Big Bone Lick State Park – Kentucky
History meets nature at Big Bone Lick. This unique park offers a glimpse into prehistoric times with fossil displays and bison herds, plus it’s conveniently located just 30 minutes from The Ark Encounter.
Nolin Lake State Park – Kentucky
If you're visiting Mammoth Cave National Park, this is a fantastic campground option nearby. Nolin Lake offers spacious campsites (great for RVs!) and a peaceful lakeside setting. Enjoy boating, swimming, hiking and then wind down with a campfire under the stars. This one makes a great home base for adventure and relaxation.
West Branch State – Ohio
Tucked away in northeastern Ohio, West Branch State Park offers wooded, full-hookup paved sites that are perfect for RVers looking for comfort and nature. The campground is peaceful with plenty of tree cover, making it a great spot to unwind. In the fall, you won’t want to miss the Halloween weekend celebration, which includes trick-or-treating and fun activities for the whole family.
Anastasia State Park – Florida
On our bucket list for good reason! This stunning coastal park near St. Augustine offers lush, wooded campsites, beautiful beaches, and a peaceful atmosphere. It's known for its natural beauty and excellent bird watching. The only catch? It’s incredibly hard to snag a reservation so plan ahead or watch for last-minute cancellations!
Fort McAllister State Park – Georgia
A hidden gem outside of Savannah, Fort McAllister blends history, nature, and family fun. We loved exploring the preserved Civil War fort and watching the kids run wild on the huge playground. With wooded campsites, fishing opportunities, an outdoor fitness trail, geocaching, and even armadillo sightings, this park made for a fantastic homeschool field trip and nature day. Highly recommended!
📍 Worth the Stop
I’ve already shared some of our favorite state park stops, but let me recommend one more place to add to your bucket list.
While going through photos to jog my memory, I came across snapshots from our trip to James Island County Park in South Carolina. During that stay, we took a little day trip south to Patriots Point in Charleston, a local recommendation that did not disappoint.
We spent the entire day exploring historic naval ships, including a massive aircraft carrier that completely wowed the kids. For lunch, we wandered off-site to a little hole-in-the-wall restaurant where the kids' meals were served on frisbees, a small detail they loved and still talk about four years later!
🚐 RV Tip of the Week
Maybe not so much a tip, but definitely an important reminder: Don’t forget to shut off your A/C units and clean those air filters!
It’s been a hot summer, and those RV air conditioners have been working overtime. I did mine this week when the temps finally cooled down for a day, and I couldn’t believe how dirty they were! A quick rinse made a big difference.
Take a few minutes to check yours, regular maintenance like this keeps your A/C running efficiently and can help extend its lifespan. Your future self (and your RV) will thank you!
🛒 Add to Cart: My Current Favs
Just because you're camping doesn't mean you have to sacrifice style for comfort. With this loungewear set from Amazon, you can have both! You no longer have to worry about hanging in your pajamas while you’re reading a book by the fire or strolling the campground with the dogs (yes, even with a bag of dog poop in hand), this loungewear will keep you cozy and cute!
📚 What I’m Reading
This week, I completed 2 great thrillers, The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware (did you hear it’s being adapted into a Netflix series this fall?) I followed it up with the sequel, The Woman in Suite 11, and couldn’t put either down. The first book introduces Lo, a travel journalist who finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time while on assignment aboard a luxurious cruise ship. The sequel picks up ten years later, when ghosts from her past resurface in chilling ways. If you love twisty thrillers add these to your TBR!
🏕️ Campground Update
I decided to bring this section back to the newsletter to help keep myself accountable, because I truly believe that small steps lead to big action.
For those who may not know, one of the reasons our family is full-time RVing is because we’re on the hunt for a campground to purchase. It’s a big dream of ours to find a place where we can live, work, and welcome other families on their own adventures.
Lately, I’ve been feeling a bit discouraged that we haven’t found the right one yet. But one of my mentors recently reminded me, you have to put in the reps. And they’re right.
In the past three months, we’ve made three offers on different campgrounds. None have been accepted, but just being in the game is a big win. Each offer teaches us more about researching deals, running numbers, and refining what we’re looking for.
To keep leveling up, I joined the RV Park Blueprint program with Heather Blankenship to sharpen my skills and stay focused on getting our first park under contract.
If you happen to hear of a park for sale that would be a good fit for an owner-operator family of five, I’d love to hear about it. This dream is still alive and we’re taking the steps to make it a reality.
📬 Before You Go…
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📖 Book Club for RV Moms
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