After visiting all 50 US states, these are the 7 state parks I think all travelers should experience at least once

• After visiting all 50 states, some of my favorite places to explore are state parks.
• I think Dead Horse Point State Park deserves just as much recognition as Utah’s national parks.
• I also love traveling to Anza-Borrego Desert in California and Ecola State Park in Oregon.

National parks are often celebrated as “America’s Best Idea,” safeguarding the country’s most breathtaking and unique landscapes.

Yet, even after exploring all 63 US national parks, some of my favorite places to explore are outside the National Park System.

State parks may not often enjoy the same level of recognition as their national counterparts, but many are equally — if not more — stunning.

After traveling to all 50 states and visiting hundreds of state parks, these are the ones that left the greatest impression on me.