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| See Beautiful Waterfall at South Mountains State Park in NC © Katrena |
If you are looking for ways to connect with the kids and to connect with nature, our country's state parks offer a wealth of opportunities. Some parks have a minimal or no admission price and may offer camping, swimming, and other fun activities at very reasonable rates.
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| Enjoy Amazing View at Hanging Rock State Park © Katrena |
The state park system may offer scheduled educational programs, guided hikes, and more at various times and locations throughout the year. We've met several rangers while visiting state parks, and they have been friendly and knowledgeable, offering interesting tidbits of information about that park. Some rangers may rotate to different parks, so they may offer information about other parks in the area as well. Volunteers are often quite educated as well and may provide a wealth of information about various aspects of the area.
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| Boardwalk at Hunting Island State Park © Katrena |
I have noticed that many of the parks are adding features on a regular basis. Some may be working on adding trails that are more accessible while others may be adding interactive indoor educational opportunities, for example. Many of the hiking trails we have enjoyed included information about the local animals and plants one might see along the way.
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| Many State Park Trails and Campgrounds are Pet Friendly © Katrena |
One particularly nice perk of many of state parks is that quite a few of them are pet-friendly. We have not ventured out with our pooch, but we have met lots of friendly folks with furry friends along the trails and in the campgrounds. We have found camping at state parks to be particularly enjoyable as it gives us time to see more of the park and to relax on site.
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| Enjoy Natural Beauty of Beach at Hunting Island State Park © Katrena |
Many of the parks offer a vast display of beauty that only nature can provide. I remember taking my nephew hiking to the top of Hanging Rock State Park. Once we were at the top, he could scarcely believe his eyes and shouted, "I'm on top of the world!" Hearing the rushing waters of a waterfall, the ebb and flow of the ocean, the gentle swaying of trees rustled by the wind, or listening to birds singing can be a calming, renewing experience that is hard to achieve any other way.
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| See Wildlife While Camping at a Hunting Island State Park © Katrena |
If you are thinking of visiting a state park, I would encourage you to visit the park's web site. Yep, the park systems have added technology, and you might be surprised to find all sorts of added information, photos, reviews, newsletters, and more. You can also find hours, information about any closings, amenities, rules, and other helpful information before visiting. The
StateParks.com/usa site includes a map of the United States where you can see at a glance how many state parks are located in each state.
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| Interactive Educational Area at South Mountains State Park © Katrena |
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