Rather than getting caught up in the hustle and bustle that is Black Friday, many folks opt to head outdoors for a weekend of camping. Below we feature 10 state parks in gorgeous locales that are less trafficked than big-name parks and an easy drive from major urban centers. Pro tip: don’t forget to keep an eye out for weather changes, alerts, and road closures in snowy areas. You can also check your state park’s website for Opt Outside events on the weekend of Thanksgiving.
1. Deer Creek State Park, Utah
Why We Love It:
- Located on a reservoir
- Well-maintained campgrounds with spectacular views
- An hour drive from Salt Lake City
Located on the banks of the Deer Creek Reservoir, Deer Creek State Park is a fantastic destination year-round. Soldier Hollow, the 2002 Winter Olympics venue on the park’s south side, is available for summer and winter activities. Along with well-maintained campgrounds alongside the scenic reservoir, campers can enjoy spectacular views of nearby Mount Timpanogos.
2. Coyote Creek State Park, New Mexico
Why We Love It:
- Less crowded park
- Forested mountain terrain
- An hour drive from Taos
About an hour southeast of Taos is Coyote Creek State Park, a beautiful park nestled alongside a meandering stream. The park is located in the Sangre de Cristo Mountains and is comprised of spruce and pine trees, an abundance of wildflowers in spring and summer, and dramatic foliage changes in the fall. The park is favored for camping, hiking, birding, and fly fishing.
3. McKinney Falls State Park, Texas
Why We Love It:
- Picturesque Onion Creek flows through the park
- Gorgeous Hill Country woodland
- A short 20-minute drive from Austin
Only 13 miles outside of downtown Austin is a beautiful state park complete with woods, a flowing creek, splashing pools, and an early Texas homestead. Camp, hike, bike on the beautiful Hill Country grounds, or fish and swim in Onion Creek. There are over 80 campsites and remodeled cabins for rent.
4. Bald Eagle State Park, Pennsylvania
Why We Love It:
- Forested terrain with lots of hiking
- Nature Inn – perfect for a cold-weather getaway
- Centrally located within Pennsylvania
Escape to the Bald Eagle Valley of northcentral Pennsylvania this year. With two campgrounds, boating, fishing, swimming, the Nature Inn, and diverse habitats that are excellent for wildlife watching, Bald Eagle State Park is the perfect destination in the heart of Pennsylvania to opt outside.
Recommended: How to Stay Warm When Camping
5. Mount Jefferson State Natural Area, North Carolina
Why We Love It:
- Less crowded alternative to the Blue Ridge Mountains or the Smoky Mountains
- Forested mountain terrain
- Only a two-hour drive from Charlotte
North Carolina is known for its rolling hills covered in lush woodlands. Many folks flock to the Blue Ridge Mountains or the Great Smoky Mountains, but you can avoid the crowds at a similar albeit less known area: Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. Only a two-hour drive north from Charlotte, the key geographical feature in the park is Mount Jefferson, which rises abruptly to more than 1,600 feet above the surrounding forested landscape. At the summit on a clear day, you can see around you for miles. In the distance, the Blue Ridge Mountains serve as a dramatic backdrop.
6. Black Rock Mountain State Park, Georgia
Why We Love It:
- Less crowded portion of Blue Ridge Mountains
- Forested mountain terrain with outstanding views
- Only a two-hour drive from Atlanta
This state park has the highest elevation in Georgia, providing overlooks with sweeping 80-mile views. This northern Georgia location showcases some of the most outstanding scenery in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Park visitors can camp, backpack, or sleep in comfortable cottages.
7. Allegany State Park, New York
Why We Love It:
- Over 300 cabins
- Great winter recreation opportunities
- Only a 90-minute drive from Buffalo
Located in Western New York, Allegany State Parks offers lots of exciting winter activities like cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Bird watchers can be on the lookout for more than 200 species of birds in Allegany State Park, including bald eagles and osprey – even in the winter! The campground has over 300 campsites and cabins to choose from.
8. Clifty Falls State Forest, Indiana
Why We Love It:
- Forested landscape with waterfalls
- Exploring Clifty Creek’s stony fossil bed
- Short drive from Louisville, Indianapolis, or Cincinnati
City slickers can easily escape to Clifty Falls State Forest, a large 1,416-acre park in Jefferson County, IN. Less than an hour’s drive from Louisville, KY, or 1.5 hours from Indianapolis, IN, and Cincinnati, OH, this state park is known for its hiking trails among canyons, forests, and beautiful seasonal waterfalls. There is also a nature center and plenty of camping sites.
9. Cherry Creek State Park, Colorado
Why We Love It:
- Diverse ecosystems, including prairie and wetlands
- Plenty of water and land activities
- Just 20 minutes outside of Denver
A short 20-minute drive outside of Denver is 4,000-acre Cherry Creek State Park. This park boasts prairie and wetland environments, as well as an 880-acre reservoir. This provides a backdrop for a wide range of water and land activities, like sailing, paddle craft, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The park gets busy in the summer and fall months but is less crowded in late November.
10. Volga River State Recreation Area, Iowa
Why We Love It:
- Striking geographic features
- Diverse fishing throughout the area
- A 2.5-hour drive from Des Moines
Volga River State Recreation Area is located in one of the most scenic parts of the state in Northeast Iowa. The area is known for its rugged topography, rock outcroppings, and forest cover – a sharp contrast to the rolling hills, farmland, and scattered stands of timber found throughout the state. The park is a great spot for relaxing, bicycling, boating, camping, fishing, and hiking. It’s a 2.5-hour drive from Des Moines and only an hour from Cedar Rapids.
Are you ready for your adventure? Plan your camping trip!
Check with your Local Government Organization
Many policies have been established to counter and control the coronavirus outbreak. State and local officials have been taking decisive action to stop the spread. The policies vary by state, sometimes to a great degree. When you book a reservation, make sure to review the park and state’s latest rules and regulations prior to your visit.
For COVID-19 updates, please visit our Impacted Park List and Reservation Guide for the latest information.