Discover these amazing state parks with kid-friendly hikes

Named for its haunting pillars of eroded sandstone, Goblin Valley State Park has appeal beyond the geological. By day, you can take a kid-friendly hike among hoodoos (tall, thin spires of rock formed by erosion), play disc golf, or ride the seven-mile Wild Horse Mountain Biking Trail System. By night, Goblin Valley is a certified International Dark Sky Park, which means incredible opportunities for stargazing.

While Shenandoah is celebrated for its panoramic vistas, Cacapon Resort State Park in neighboring West Virginia offers a more tranquil alternative. Cacapon’s rolling hills, lush forests, and the Cacapon River set the scene for excellent hiking, fishing, and birdwatching. Visitors can also enjoy a round of golf while taking in the serene beauty of the Appalachian Mountains.

Often overlooked by tourists, Rifle Falls State Park may be small—only 48 acres, compared to Rocky Mountain National Park's 200,000+—but its lush vegetation and breathtaking triple waterfall are well worth a visit. Popular outdoor activities for kids at Rifle Falls include picnicking, hiking, and, for the more adventurous, rock climbing and spelunking. The caves are horizontal and not too deep, so they are great for kids of all ages. In the winter, you can witness the magic of frozen waterfalls and 20 ft icicles, a true winter wonderland. There is also cross-country skiing or snowmobiling on groomed trails.

Can’t get a reservation at Arches? Watching a sunrise or sunset light up the canyon walls at Dead Horse Point State Park is a great alternative. About seven miles of kid-friendly hiking trails traverse the mesa top, connecting eight different overlooks. Dead Horse Point is also the location of an iconic scene from the film Thelma & Louise where the title characters drive off a cliff.

Most people attribute the beauty of Wyoming to Yellowstone, but Sinks Canyon State Park offers an equally captivating outdoor experience. The product of retreating glaciers, Sinks Canyon is named for a unique geological formation, “The Sinks,” where the Popo Agie River disappears underground at the mouth of the canyon. Park activities include hiking, fishing, and a stunning 70-mile scenic drive called “The Loop Road.”

Known as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” Letchworth State Park runs along the Genesee River, which has carved a deep 600-foot gorge over the past 400 million years. The park features more than 66 miles of hiking trails, whitewater rafting and kayaking, and hot air balloon rides. Winter activities include snow tubing, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

While a record number of visitors flock to Acadia National Park on the Maine coast to enjoy the rugged outdoors, you’ll find less commotion at Baxter State Park in north-central Maine. Baxter offers great opportunities for wildlife watching, canoeing, and kayaking. The park’s most popular hike brings you up Mount Katahdin, the state’s highest peak. It’s a challenging but rewarding climb suitable for older children and teenagers.