Study Reveals Most Highly Rated State Parks of 2026

State parks may not often get the same attention as national parks, but many are still plenty worth a trip all on their own.

To help you decide which to visit this summer, RV rental marketplace RVezy conducted a study to identify the most highly rated state parks in the country. The brand looked at TripAdvisor ratings, only comparing parks with more than 50 reviews, looking at not only individual parks, but also how states ranked against one another based on their highest rated parks. The study also included state properties such as reserves and natural areas.

According to the rankings, the top state park in the country is Custer State Park in South Dakota, with the study citing the park’s landscapes, wildlife and scenic drives as factors adding to its popularity. Then, California came second with Point Lobos State Natural Reserve, with its coastal setting and hiking trails, followed by North Carolina with its Mount Jefferson State Natural Area.

Other destinations rounding out the top 10 include Maidstone State Park, Vermont; Moro Bay State Park, Arkansas; Beartown State Park, West Virginia; Quoddy Head State Park, Maine; Fort Abraham Lincoln State Park, North Dakota; Cedar Rock State Park, Iowa; and Kartchner Caverns State Park, Arizona.