Summertime is the time to go big, travel, and make once-in-a-lifetime family memories. Or that’s what everybody says.
So what if you’re not lucky enough to have a week of paid vacation? Or the idea of planning and packing for a big family trip is so stressful that it throws you into an ice cream binge? Are our kids missing out because their summer isn’t some bucket list national tour?
Luckily, you don’t need to go into a sugar coma from all the stress of planning outdoor family adventures. They’re right at your back door! No week-long road trip or credit card debt required.
Look Local
It’s easy to overlook what’s right in our backyard but public lands are the easiest, cheapest and closest outdoor family adventures you can have.
Public lands are just what the name says: lands owned by us the public. This includes national lands like National Parks, wildlife refuges, scenic byways, and monuments. But it also includes our state and local parks. They’re everywhere!
So what are the benefits of these public lands over some big road trip?
They Are Close
You don’t need a planning session to get there. You just need a half a day and an adventurous spirit.
They Are Cheap
Being closer costs less in gas money but many are also free entrance as well. Taxpayer dollars have already gone into these lands so why not use them? When there are entrance fees, they’re pretty reasonable, especially compared to some theme park we can think of that’s a popular summer visit. And there are discounted state and national passes like the Every Kid in a Park program (current 4th graders) and the America the Beautiful annual passes.
You Get More Time Together
A small jaunt means you can go every weekend! And when family time should be measured in quantity and not Pinterest-worthy quality that makes a big difference.
It’s a New and Unexpected Adventure
When you head to all the usual summer vacation spots, you know what you’re getting into and you know what to expect, which is great sometimes. But when you head out into public lands, you will find something new and unexpected.
You Might Actually Learn Something
Public lands do not just give you recreation. Many will teach you about the area’s history or culture. In Oregon, you have lighthouses, ghost towns, and caves. Not to mention all the interpretive signs like the one we read about burial customs on Memaloose Island at Memaloose State Park.
In Gulch Dinosaur Tracksite near Greybull, Wyoming, for just a couple hours, you will see fossilized dinosaur tracks, get a little bit of area history, and take home a few shell fossils (allowed per the sign at the sight). Kids will be ecstatic, showing everyone their fossils and explaining all about the little prehistoric shrimp digging in the ancient lake bed.
Where to Find Public Lands
Now that we’ve convinced you that you need to get a taste of your public lands today, how do you actually find them? Where do we find some of these hidden gems that are, well hidden.
Unfortunately, we haven’t found any great all-in-one public land list for the United States but luckily, our national and state governments have a pretty good list. You just have to know where to look for it.
Get Social
Social media is a great place to get inspiration for local family outings. Just follow your local agencies and see what they are posting.
Public Lands websites
Check out these other websites and apps to find public land near you!
United States
Recreation.gov
The go-to place for national public lands. Parks, byways, educational sites. Search for activities and reserve campsites and other spaces. You can also explore trip ideas and build your own trip. It helps us for local lands because you can easily search by location and activity. It also has a reservation iPhone app but it does not have great reviews.
National Parks
Findyourpark.com lets us search through the National parks, memorials, waters, and monuments. All those places are run by the National Park Service. You can easily search by location and activity.
State Lands
Pick your state below for quick links to state public lands and apps. States have more than just parks. Many have forests, hatcheries, and more! So explore around.
Alabama
The Alabama Department of Conservation & Natural Resources gives you a gateway to the list of state parks but also check under “Things to Do” for other activities like the State Lands Canoe Trails.
Or you can find the Outdoor Alabama hunting, fishing, & wildlife app and the official Alabama State Parks app.
Also find the State Parks on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Alaska
Alaska Division of Parks & Outdoor Recreation
Also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Arizona
Arizona State Parks & Trails
Also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram @AZstateparks
Arkansas
Arkansas State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest
California
California State Parks
Also check them out on their Facebook, Twitter, or YouTube
Ecological Reserves and Wildlife Areas of California
California Dept. of Fish and Wildlife keeps a searchable list of ecological reserves and wildlife areas. If you click on a place, it will also tell you the recreation opportunities there.
Colorado
Colorado Parks & Wildlife
Not just a parks website, you can also find fish hatcheries, wildlife areas, and learn more about the Colorado Trail System, hunting, and fishing.
Also find them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Snapchat, and Vimeo. Seems like they are just about everywhere!
Connecticut
Connecticut State Parks and Forests
Also on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
Delaware
Delaware State Parks
They also have an app for Android, iOS, and Amazon
Florida
Florida State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest
Or get the Florida State Parks app for Android, iOS, or Amazon
Outdoor Florida
This site lets you explore Florida’s statewide outdoor spaces! Sports fields, fishing, hunting, trails, educational stops. Plus they have an app!
Georgia
Georgia State Parks
Also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Or get the George State Parks app for Android, iOS, or Amazon
Georgia Outdoor Map
The Georgia Department of Natural Resources runs an outdoor map covering just about everything! Trails, picnic area, historic sites, geocaching, trails, and more. Head on over to explore more.
Hawaii
Hawaii Division of State Parks
Idaho
Idaho Parks and Recreation
Also on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
Illinois
Illinois State Parks and Outdoor Recreation
Indiana
Indiana Dept. of Natural Resources
The natural resources site give a list of state parks, forests, trails and nature preserves.
Follow the department on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
Iowa
Iowa Dept. of Natural Resources
Explore Iowa’s outdoor things to do and places to go, such as state parks, forests, and preserves.
Follow the department on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest
Kansas
Kansas Wildlife, Parks, and Tourism
All the state parks, hunting, and fishing information in one place.
Also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube. Or get the app for Android, iOS, or Amazon
Kentucky
Kentucky Tourism Page
Find information on state parks, preserves hunting, fishing, and boating. And of course horse racing.
Louisiana
Louisiana State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Or grab the parks app for Android, iOS, or Amazon
Maine
Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands
Find parks, historic site, or other public lands.
Maryland
Maryland Park Service
Also on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr
Or grab the Department of Natural Resources app
Massachusetts
Massachusetts Dept. of Conservation and Recreation
Find parks, local beaches, wading pools, or trails.
Also on Twitter and Instagram
Michigan
Michigan Dept. of Natural Resources
Find parks, campgrounds, and trails.
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest
Minnesota
Minnesota Dept. of Natural Resources
Find parks, trails, forests, and natural areas.
Also on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
DNR Mobile Webpages
Minnesota also has an interesting list of resources available as mobile friendly webpages and GPS maps.
Webpages: LakeFinder, Recreation Compass, Fishing and Hunting License Sales, Fall Colors
Maps: OHV trails, Snowmobile trails, Walk-in-access data, Wildlife management area data, and Ruffed grouse management areas
Mississippi
Mississippi Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
Find state parks, trails, golf, fishing and splash pads.
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
Missouri
Missouri State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr
Or grab the app for Android, iOS, or Amazon
Missouri Dept. of Conservation
Search for things to do outdoors by activity type. Or see what outdoor skills classes are available next.
Montana
Montana State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
Nebraska
Nebraska Game and Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
Nevada
Nevada State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Flickr
New Hampshire
New Hampshire State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
New Jersey
New Jersey Dept. of Environmental Protection
Learn about state parks, forests, and historic sites.
Also on Facebook and Instagram.
New Mexico
New Mexico True
An extensive list of New Mexico tourism like state parks and other outdoor adventure.
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest
New York
New York Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest
North Carolina
North Carolina State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest
North Dakota
North Dakota Parks and Recreation Department
Find state parks, scenic byways, and nature reserves.
Also on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr
Ohio
Ohio State Parks and Watercraft
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
Or grab their parks app for Android or iOS
Oklahoma
Travel Oklahoma – State Parks
The travel Oklahoma site has a lot of things to do and places to stay in addition to information about state parks.
Also find Travel Oklahoma on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest
Oregon
Oregon State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Flickr
Or grab the app for Android, iOS, or Amazon
Rhode Island
Rhode Island State Parks and Recreation
Also on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
South Carolina
South Carolina State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, and Pinterest
South Dakota
South Dakota Game, Fish, and Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
Tennessee
Tennessee State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
Texas
Texas State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Utah
Utah State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
Or grab the parks app for Android, iOS, or Amazon
Vermont
Vermont Dept. of Forest Parks and Recreation
Find state parks, trails, and more.
Vermont State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
Virginia
Virginia State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest
Washington
Washington State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
Or grab the parks app for Android, iOS, or Amazon
West Virginia
West Virginia State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
Wisconsin
Wisconsin State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Pinterest, and Flickr
Or grab the parks app for Android or iOS
Wyoming
Wyoming State Parks
Also on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and Pinterest
TravelStorys App
Guided tours of state parks and other natural spaces. This app is not only for Wyoming but most of the tours available currently are located in the state. Android, iOS
Australia
National Parks
There are over 500 National Parks in Australia plus World Heritage sites and marine parks. Most are managed by Australia’s States and Territories listed below.
Australia Capital Territory
The ACT government site has a list of parks, waterways, skateparks, etc.
New South Wales
The National Parks and Wildlife Service in New South Wales.
Also find them on Facebook and YouTube
Northern Territory
Northern Territory Government Parks and resources
Or find them on Facebook
Queensland
Queensland National Parks
Check them out on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube. Or get park alerts on Twitter.
South Australia
National Parks South Australia
Also find them on Facebook and Instagram
Tasmania
Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service
Also on Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube
Victoria
Parks Victoria
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
Western Australia
Western Australia Parks and Wildlife Service
Also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube
Canada
Parks Canada
Parks Canada doesn’t just give you parks. They also have historic sites, waterways, conservation areas, and more.
Catch them on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube
Or download the Parks Canada app
United Kingdom
National Parks
The UK has 15 National Parks. Head over to the website to for a quick guide about the parks or help with planning your visit.
Also find them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram
Local Parks
There are just too many local parks for me to list here but there are certainly hidden gems there as well. So search around and see what your county and city have to offer.
Now get out there!! And if you have anything to add to the list, leave a comment!
