15 State Parks with Breathtaking Scenic Overlooks

You don't have to head across the county to find a national park for some spectacular views and awe-inspiring vistas. If you're seeking a first-hand encounter with the grandeur of America's most stunning natural landscapes, state parks can offer some of the most impressive views imaginable – sometimes even more impressive than those found at national parks. Read on for fifteen of some of the most beautiful state parks with scenic overlooks around the country; they might be closer to home than you think!

1. Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah

Dead Horse Point State Park offers some of the most iconic and breathtaking views in Utah, and that's saying something! Located high above the Colorado River, some of the park's most scenic overlooks provide a dramatic panorama of rugged canyon landscapes that have many similarities to the Grand Canyon. The vista features a sweeping view of the layered rock formations, which are particularly striking during sunrise and sunset, illuminating the red color of the rocks even more brightly.

2. Palo Duro Canyon State Park, Texas

Palo Duro Canyon State Park, often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” is renowned for its stunning views and expansive landscapes. The park features a vast canyon carved by the Red River, creating a dramatic display of deep cliff faces with layers of stone created over the millennia. From the park’s numerous viewpoints, which are accessible by both beginner-friendly hikes and more strenuous routes, visitors can enjoy vistas of the canyon’s most intricate patterns.

3. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, Michigan

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park, located in Michigan's Upper Peninsula, is a haven for nature lovers that too few locals even know about. The park's scenic overlooks provide expansive views of its ancient forests coating rolling hills and mountains as far as the eye can see. Views of the expansive Lake of the Clouds, nestled amid dense woodlands, are another memorable highlight of this state park and are especially enchanting during the fall when the foliage transforms the hillsides with color.

4. Smith Rock State Park, Oregon

Smith Rock State Park in Oregon is renowned for its dramatic and awe-inspiring landscapes, with towering rock spires and deep canyons that seem to rise out of otherwise flat terrain. The park offers impressive scenic overlooks that provide panoramic views of the meandering Crooked River that cuts dramatically across the landscape. These overlooks are particularly popular with rock climbers and hikers of a variety of skill sets.

5. Letchworth State Park, New York

Letchworth State Park, often referred to as the “Grand Canyon of the East,” is widely celebrated for its breathtaking natural beauty, though few too Upstate New York residents are aware of its acclaim. The park's scenic overlooks offer expansive views of the Genesee River as it cascades through deep gorges and over dramatic waterfalls. Located near Rochester, New York, Letchworth State Park is especially striking during the fall, when the region's breathtaking foliage turns into what is considered one of the most vibrant displays of autumn colors in the country.

6. Tettegouche State Park, Minnesota

Tettegouche State Park, located along Minnesota’s North Shore, is known for its rugged landscapes, plunging cliffside, and striking overlooks. The park's Palisade Head overlook offers spectacular panoramic views of Lake Superior's shoreline and the surrounding forested cliffs. From this vantage point, visitors can enjoy sweeping vistas of the lake’s vast expanse and the rocky bluffs that frame it.

7. Red River Gorge Geological Area, Kentucky

The Red River Gorge Geological Area in Kentucky is famous for its impressive rock formations and natural arches, some of which rival those found out west. The park’s scenic overlooks provide breathtaking views of the gorge's expansive landscape, featuring a blend of towering cliffs and intricate rock formations. The unique geological features, including natural bridges and rock shelters, make it a favorite destination for hikers and climbers.

8. Custer State Park, South Dakota

Custer State Park in South Dakota is renowned for its scenic drives and spectacular overlooks with vehicle-accessible viewpoints. The park features the dramatic Needles Highway and Iron Mountain Road, which provide stunning views of the park’s unique granite spires, rolling prairies, and abundant wildlife and are accessible via car, which makes it particularly helpful for visitors who don't have a level of physical fitness that allows them to explore on foot.

9. Cloudland Canyon State Park, Georgia

Cloudland Canyon State Park in Georgia is known for its dramatic and picturesque overlooks. The overlook from the top of the West Rim Trail offers particularly impressive views, making it a popular spot for hikers and nature lovers visiting the park. Of course, the park’s beauty is especially pronounced during the fall, when the colorful foliage adds a vibrant array of colors to every viewpoint and makes the area one of the best in Georgia to enjoy fall colors.

10. Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

Valley of Fire State Park in Nevada is famous for its stunning red sandstone formations and ancient petroglyphs. The park’s overlooks provide views of vibrant, undulating, and almost other-worldly rock formations that create a dramatic desert landscape unlike many that you'll find elsewhere. The park's unique geological features and expansive desert vistas make it a captivating destination for photographers, though the area is so naturally beautiful that even the basic camera on your phone will capture breathtaking images.

11. Devil's Lake State Park, Wisconsin

Devil's Lake State Park in Wisconsin is renowned for its picturesque landscapes and serene natural beauty. The park's lake is framed by steep bluffs and lush woodlands. The park’s trails provide access to several vantage points, each offering unique perspectives of the lake and its surroundings, making for a tranquil and visually captivating experience that draws many local hikers, campers, and outdoorsmen.

12. Chimney Rock State Park, North Carolina

Chimney Rock State Park in North Carolina is home to the iconic Chimney Rock formation, which offers some of the most breathtaking viewpoints in the Blue Ridge Mountains. From the top of the rock, visitors can enjoy uninterrupted vistas of Hickory Nut Gorge and the surrounding mountainous landscape. The park’s most famous overlook provides panoramic views of the lush, rolling hills and the rugged terrain below; crowned by an American flag, it's a particularly patriotic spot that is popular year-round.

13. Castle Rock State Park, California

Castle Rock State Park in California is celebrated for its rugged rock formations and dense woodlands, with scenic overlooks providing views of the forested valleys, rocky outcrops, and even the distant Pacific Ocean. The dramatic landscape is shaped by the unique geological features of the park, including its iconic rock spires and the surrounding Santa Cruz Mountains. Located in the San Francisco Bay area, it's an increasingly popular getaway spot for city-dwelling locals.

14. Great Falls Park, Virginia

Great Falls Park in Virginia is renowned for its waterfalls and powerful rushing river scenery. The park's overlooks provide spectacular views of the Potomac River as it rushes over a series of cascading falls and rugged rock formations, which is particularly impressive during periods of high water. Vantage points offer a variety of levels of accessibility, both for beginner hikes and more experienced hikers looking for less-visited and less-crowded viewpoints.

15. Petit Jean State Park, Arkansas

Petit Jean State Park in Arkansas is one of the state's hidden gems, offering numerous scenic overlooks from which to enjoy its most impressive landscapes. The park is known for its lush forested areas and bluffs in the Ouachita Mountains and along the Petit Jean River. Whether you're hiking, picnicking, or simply taking in the views, Petit Jean State Park offers a tranquil and visually stunning experience considered by locals as among the best in the state.