State Parks for Kids

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58 family-friendly spots across Hawaii, New York, Oklahoma, & Texas, with costs, best ages, parking tips, and what to bring.

58 adventures found

Broken Bow, OK

Cedar Bluff Nature Trail

Easy 0.8-mile river-view loop across from Dogwood Campground in Beavers Bend State Park - one of Broken Bow's best quick family hikes

  • Hiking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~0.5h
  • Free

Fayetteville, NY

Green Lakes State Park

Swim in Caribbean-blue glacial lakes at Green Lakes State Park near Syracuse NY - sandy lifeguarded beach, flat lakeside trails, $10 per car

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Salamanca, NY

Allegany State Park

Largest state park in New York with beaches, boulder fields, and 80+ miles of trails. Paid entry. Works from toddler age.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 2+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

Bear Mountain, NY

Bear Mountain State Park

Historic Hudson River park with trails, pool, merry-go-round, and Appalachian Trail. Paid entry. Works from toddler age.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 2+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

Wolcott, NY

Chimney Bluffs State Park

Otherworldly clay spires sculpted by erosion on the shore of Lake Ontario. Free. Best from about age 5. About two hours.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 5+
  • ~2h
  • Free

Cold Spring, NY

Clarence Fahnestock State Park

Hudson Highlands park with lake swimming, Appalachian Trail, and camping. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Jamesville, NY

Clark Reservation State Park

Glacial plunge basin with cliff-rimmed lake and unique geology near Syracuse. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. About two hours.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~2h
  • Paid

Hector, NY

Finger Lakes National Forest

The only national forest in New York with free camping and 30+ miles of trails. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Stony Point, NY

Harriman State Park

Massive park with 200+ miles of trails, swimming lakes, and mountain views. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Kula, HI

Hosmer Grove Trail (Haleakala)

Easy shaded loop through a unique forest with native bird watching at 6,800 feet. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About an hour.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~1h
  • Paid

Waimea (Kauai), HI

Koke'e State Park

Highland trails and Na Pali Coast cliff-top lookouts in a mountain forest park. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Kula, HI

Polipoli Spring State Recreation Area

Cool mountain forest of redwoods and pines on Haleakala that feels like the Pacific Northwest. Free. Better for ages 6 and up.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 6+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Geneva, NY

Seneca Lake State Park

Lakefront park with splash pad, playground, and marina on Seneca Lake. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 1+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Cornwall-on-Hudson, NY

Storm King State Park

Rugged Highland trails with dramatic Hudson River panoramas. Free. Better for ages 7 and up. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 7+
  • ~4h
  • Free

Waimea (Kauai), HI

Waimea Canyon State Park

Grand Canyon of the Pacific with 3,600-foot colorful canyon views and rim trails. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Broken Bow, OK

Beaver Lodge Nature Trail

Easy 2-mile forest loop trail through towering pines in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Best from about age 3. About an hour.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~1h
  • Free

Broken Bow, OK

Beavers Bend Depot & Trail Rides

Miniature train rides and guided horseback rides through the Ouachita pines. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About two hours.

  • Nature
  • Ages 2+
  • ~2h
  • Paid

Broken Bow, OK

Beavers Bend State Park

Oklahoma's premier family state park with trails and river access in the Ouachita Mountains. Paid entry. Works from toddler age.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Broken Bow, OK

David Boren Hiking Trail

Premier 12-mile trail system with lake views and flexible routes in Beavers Bend State Park. Free. Better for ages 6 and up.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 6+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Bastrop, TX

Bastrop State Park

Lost Pines hiking with swimming pool and Junior Rangers. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Big Bend National Park, TX

Big Bend National Park

Spectacular desert mountains and canyons along the Rio Grande. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. Easily a full day. A tough one.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 5+
  • ~8h
  • Paid

Presidio, TX

Big Bend Ranch State Park

300,000-acre desert wilderness along the Rio Grande for experienced families. Paid entry. Better for ages 8 and up. Easily a full day.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 8+
  • ~6h
  • Paid

Kountze, TX

Big Thicket National Preserve

UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with nine converging ecosystems. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip. Moderate effort.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Blanco, TX

Blanco State Park

Small-town river swimming and tubing perfect for young children. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Stroller-friendly.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 2+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Needville, TX

Brazos Bend State Park

Wild alligator viewing from boardwalks and stargazing at the observatory. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

  • Nature
  • Ages 3+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Karnack, TX

Caddo Lake State Park

Kayaking through a moss-draped cypress swamp on Texas' only natural lake. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

  • Kayaking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Quitaque, TX

Caprock Canyons State Park & Trailway

Red rock canyons with free-roaming bison and a bat colony tunnel. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip. Moderate effort.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Fort Davis, TX

Davis Mountains State Park

Cool mountain camping with skyline trail and historic pueblo lodge. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip. Moderate effort.

  • Camping
  • Ages 4+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Denison, TX

Eisenhower State Park

Blufftop trails and lake swimming on Lake Texoma. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome. Moderate effort.

  • Camping
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Fredericksburg, TX

Enchanted Rock State Natural Area

Iconic granite dome summit scramble with 360-degree Hill Country views. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

El Paso, TX

Franklin Mountains State Park

Largest urban park in the US with aerial tramway and desert hiking. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day trip.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 6+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Concan, TX

Garner State Park

Legendary Frio River swimming and summer dances in the Hill Country. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. Easily a full day.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 3+
  • ~5h
  • Paid

Salt Flat, TX

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Highest point in Texas and stunning McKittrick Canyon fall foliage. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. Easily a full day.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 6+
  • ~6h
  • Paid

Spring Branch, TX

Guadalupe River State Park

Cypress-lined Guadalupe River swimming with guided paddles and hikes. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

El Paso, TX

Hueco Tanks State Park & Historic Site

World-class bouldering with ancient pictographs in El Paso. Paid entry. Better for ages 6 and up. A half-day trip. A tough one.

  • Rock Climbing
  • Ages 6+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Huntsville, TX

Huntsville State Park

Pine forest camping with lake paddling and a sandy swim area. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Camping
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Burnet, TX

Inks Lake State Park

Spring-fed lake swimming and cliff jumping at Devil's Waterhole. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Pittsburg, TX

Lake Bob Sandlin State Park

Shaded lakeside camping with fishing pier and bike trails. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Camping
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Somerville, TX

Lake Somerville State Park & Trailway

Two-unit park connected by 21-mile trail with lake swimming. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Camping
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Whitney, TX

Lake Whitney State Park

White limestone shoreline swimming and easy trails on Lake Whitney. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip.

  • Camping
  • Ages 2+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Decatur, TX

LBJ National Grasslands

20,000 acres of prairie with mountain biking and primitive camping. Free. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~3h
  • Free

Tatum, TX

Martin Creek Lake State Park

Year-round warm-water fishing with unique island campsites in East Texas - a hidden gem for family fishing trips and peaceful lake paddling

  • Fishing
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Meridian, TX

Meridian State Park

CCC-era lake park with screened shelters and paddleboating. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Camping
  • Ages 2+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Grapeland, TX

Mission Tejas State Park

Historic Spanish mission replica in towering East Texas hardwood forest. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~2h
  • Paid

Monahans, TX

Monahans Sandhills State Park

70-foot sand dunes with disc surfing and spectacular sunsets. Paid entry. Works from toddler age. About two hours. Easy going.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 2+
  • ~2h
  • Paid

Moody, TX

Mother Neff State Park

First Texas state park with limestone sinkhole pool and historic CCC buildings. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. About two hours.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~2h
  • Paid

Canyon, TX

Palo Duro Canyon State Park

Second-largest US canyon with the iconic Lighthouse Trail hike. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip. Moderate effort.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Caddo, TX

Possum Kingdom State Park

Clear blue lake swimming and canyon trail hiking. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome. Moderate effort.

  • Swimming
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Eustace, TX

Purtis Creek State Park

Stocked catch-and-release lake where kids always catch fish. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Fishing
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

San Angelo, TX

San Angelo State Park

50 miles of trails with Texas longhorn cattle on the reservoir. Paid entry. Best from about age 4. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 4+
  • ~3h
  • Paid

Lumberton, TX

Village Creek State Park

Tannin-clear creek paddling through Big Thicket sandbars. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Kayaking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Cedar Hill, TX

Cedar Hill State Park

Family-friendly state park on Joe Pool Lake just 20 minutes from Dallas - swimming, hiking, camping, and mountain biking for all ages

  • Hiking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Cleburne, TX

Cleburne State Park

No-wake lake for safe paddling and swimming near Fort Worth. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Camping
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Glen Rose, TX

Dinosaur Valley State Park

Real dinosaur tracks in a riverbed plus 20 miles of trails. Paid entry. Best from about age 3. A half-day trip. Dogs welcome.

  • Hiking
  • Ages 3+
  • ~4h
  • Paid

Mineral Wells, TX

Lake Mineral Wells State Park & Trailway

Natural rock climbing at Penitentiary Hollow plus lake swimming and trails. Paid entry. Best from about age 5. A half-day trip.

  • Rock Climbing
  • Ages 5+
  • ~4h
  • Paid