State Parks for Kids
58 family-friendly spots across Hawaii, New York, Oklahoma, & Texas, with costs, best ages, parking tips, and what to bring.
58 adventures found
Cedar Bluff Nature Trail
Broken Bow, OK
HikingEasy 0.8-mile river-view loop across from Dogwood Campground in Beavers Bend State Park - one of …
Green Lakes State Park
Fayetteville, NY
SwimmingSwim in Caribbean-blue glacial lakes at Green Lakes State Park near Syracuse NY - sandy lifeguarded …
Allegany State Park
Salamanca, NY
HikingLargest state park in New York with beaches, boulder fields, and 80+ miles of trails. Paid entry. …
Bear Mountain State Park
Bear Mountain, NY
HikingHistoric Hudson River park with trails, pool, merry-go-round, and Appalachian Trail. Paid entry. …
Chimney Bluffs State Park
Wolcott, NY
HikingOtherworldly clay spires sculpted by erosion on the shore of Lake Ontario. Free. Best from about age …
Clarence Fahnestock State Park
Cold Spring, NY
HikingHudson Highlands park with lake swimming, Appalachian Trail, and camping. Paid entry. Best from …
Clark Reservation State Park
Jamesville, NY
HikingGlacial plunge basin with cliff-rimmed lake and unique geology near Syracuse. Paid entry. Best from …
Finger Lakes National Forest
Hector, NY
HikingThe only national forest in New York with free camping and 30+ miles of trails. Free. Best from …
Harriet Hollister Spencer State Recreation Area
Honeoye, NY
HikingEasy hilltop trails with stunning views over Honeoye Lake and the Finger Lakes. Free. Best from …
Harriman State Park
Stony Point, NY
HikingMassive park with 200+ miles of trails, swimming lakes, and mountain views. Paid entry. Best from …
Hosmer Grove Trail (Haleakala)
Kula, HI
HikingEasy shaded loop through a unique forest with native bird watching at 6,800 feet. Paid entry. Best …
Koke'e State Park
Waimea (Kauai), HI
HikingHighland trails and Na Pali Coast cliff-top lookouts in a mountain forest park. Paid entry. Best …
Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area
Kula, HI
HikingCool mountain forest of redwoods and pines on Haleakala that feels like the Pacific Northwest. Free. …
Seneca Lake State Park
Geneva, NY
SwimmingLakefront park with splash pad, playground, and marina on Seneca Lake. Paid entry. Works from …
Storm King State Park
Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY
HikingRugged Highland trails with dramatic Hudson River panoramas. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. A …
Waimea Canyon State Park
Waimea (Kauai), HI
HikingGrand Canyon of the Pacific with 3,600-foot colorful canyon views and rim trails. Paid entry. Best …
Beaver Lodge Nature Trail
Broken Bow, OK
HikingEasy 2-mile forest loop trail through towering pines in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Best from …
Beavers Bend Depot & Trail Rides
Broken Bow, OK
NatureMiniature train rides and guided horseback rides through the Ouachita pines. Paid entry. Works from …
Beavers Bend State Park
Broken Bow, OK
HikingOklahoma's premier family state park with trails and river access in the Ouachita Mountains. Paid …
David Boren Hiking Trail
Broken Bow, OK
HikingPremier 12-mile trail system with lake views and flexible routes in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. …
Bastrop State Park
Bastrop, TX
HikingLost Pines hiking with swimming pool and Junior Rangers. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
Big Bend National Park
Big Bend National Park, TX
HikingSpectacular desert mountains and canyons along the Rio Grande. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. …
Big Bend Ranch State Park
Presidio, TX
Hiking300,000-acre desert wilderness along the Rio Grande for experienced families. Paid entry. Better for …
Big Thicket National Preserve
Kountze, TX
HikingUNESCO Biosphere Reserve with nine converging ecosystems. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day …
Blanco State Park
Blanco, TX
SwimmingSmall-town river swimming and tubing perfect for young children. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
Brazos Bend State Park
Needville, TX
NatureWild alligator viewing from boardwalks and stargazing at the observatory. Paid entry. Best from …
Caddo Lake State Park
Karnack, TX
KayakingKayaking through a moss-draped cypress swamp on Texas' only natural lake. Paid entry. Best from …
Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway
Quitaque, TX
HikingRed rock canyons with free-roaming bison and a bat colony tunnel. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. …
Davis Mountains State Park
Fort Davis, TX
CampingCool mountain camping with skyline trail and historic pueblo lodge. Paid entry. Best from about age …
Eisenhower State Park
Denison, TX
CampingBlufftop trails and lake swimming on Lake Texoma. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day …
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
Fredericksburg, TX
HikingIconic granite dome summit scramble with 360-degree Hill Country views. Paid entry. Best from about …
Franklin Mountains State Park
El Paso, TX
HikingLargest urban park in the US with aerial tramway and desert hiking. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 …
Garner State Park
Concan, TX
SwimmingLegendary Frio River swimming and summer dances in the Hill Country. Paid entry. Best from about age …
Guadalupe Mountains National Park
Salt Flat, TX
HikingHighest point in Texas and stunning McKittrick Canyon fall foliage. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 …
Guadalupe River State Park
Spring Branch, TX
SwimmingCypress-lined Guadalupe River swimming with guided paddles and hikes. Paid entry. Best from about …
Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site
El Paso, TX
Rock-ClimbingWorld-class bouldering with ancient pictographs in El Paso. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. A …
Huntsville State Park
Huntsville, TX
CampingPine forest camping with lake paddling and a sandy swim area. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
Inks Lake State Park
Burnet, TX
SwimmingSpring-fed lake swimming and cliff jumping at Devil's Waterhole. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. …
Lake Bob Sandlin State Park
Pittsburg, TX
CampingShaded lakeside camping with fishing pier and bike trails. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …
Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway
Somerville, TX
CampingTwo-unit park connected by 21-mile trail with lake swimming. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …
Lake Whitney State Park
Whitney, TX
CampingWhite limestone shoreline swimming and easy trails on Lake Whitney. Paid entry. Works from toddler …
LBJ National Grasslands
Decatur, TX
Hiking20,000 acres of prairie with mountain biking and primitive camping. Free. Best from about age 4. A …
Martin Creek Lake State Park
Tatum, TX
FishingYear-round warm-water fishing with unique island campsites in East Texas - a hidden gem for family …
Meridian State Park
Meridian, TX
CampingCCC-era lake park with screened shelters and paddleboating. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A …
Mission Tejas State Park
Grapeland, TX
HikingHistoric Spanish mission replica in towering East Texas hardwood forest. Paid entry. Best from about …
Monahans Sandhills State Park
Monahans, TX
Hiking70-foot sand dunes with disc surfing and spectacular sunsets. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. …
Mother Neff State Park
Moody, TX
HikingFirst Texas state park with limestone sinkhole pool and historic CCC buildings. Paid entry. Best …
Palo Duro Canyon State Park
Canyon, TX
HikingSecond-largest US canyon with the iconic Lighthouse Trail hike. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A …
Possum Kingdom State Park
Caddo, TX
SwimmingClear blue lake swimming and canyon trail hiking. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day …
Purtis Creek State Park
Eustace, TX
FishingStocked catch-and-release lake where kids always catch fish. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
San Angelo State Park
San Angelo, TX
Hiking50 miles of trails with Texas longhorn cattle on the reservoir. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A …
Seminole Canyon State Park & Historic Site
Comstock, TX
Hiking4,000-year-old rock art and dramatic canyon views on the Rio Grande. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 …
Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
Houston, TX
NatureWetland wildlife viewing and hands-on nature center east of Houston. Free. Works from toddler age. …
Village Creek State Park
Lumberton, TX
KayakingTannin-clear creek paddling through Big Thicket sandbars. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
Cedar Hill State Park
Cedar Hill, TX
HikingFamily-friendly state park on Joe Pool Lake just 20 minutes from Dallas - swimming, hiking, camping, …
Cleburne State Park
Cleburne, TX
CampingNo-wake lake for safe paddling and swimming near Fort Worth. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
Dinosaur Valley State Park
Glen Rose, TX
HikingReal dinosaur tracks in a riverbed plus 20 miles of trails. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A …
Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway
Mineral Wells, TX
Rock-ClimbingNatural rock climbing at Penitentiary Hollow plus lake swimming and trails. Paid entry. Best from …