Here's my Favourite State Parks in the US:
National Public Lands Day 

This is easily my favourite state park, and I do think that it is hard to beat. I was sold on visiting this place from the photos online before even visiting, by the iconic view from Saw Mill Pond of the bald cypress trees, which almost look other-worldly.

Caddo Lake State Park has a variety of trails to explore, we ended up doing a longer hike round which incorporated a few different shorter hikes; Pine Ridge Loop, Caddo Forest Trail and the Pine Ridge Spur. It was a great way to spend an afternoon between stops on our road trip of the US Southern States.

Hiking Trails: 

There are several interconnecting trails at Caddo Lake, we did a mixture of 4 of them. Starting from the Pine Loop Trail at the visitor centre, we headed North to where it meets the Cut Through (Blue Trail), which took us directly out to the jetty overlooking Saw Mill Pond (a must see!). Next, we went back up through the Cut Through (Blue Trail) and took the Caddo Forest Trail North to the Big Cypress Bayou for a view of the open river. Finally, we took the Caddo Forest Trail back South to the Pine Ridge Spur. Then followed that trail South to meet back up with the Pine Ridge Loop, and headed South again back to the visitor centre.

I should note that there are alligators present at the park, we were fortunate enough not to spot any, although we did stand on the jetty for a good amount of time trying to spot them in Saw Mill Pond! When researching for this post, I even found out that Caddo Lake is "renowned as the most alligator-dense lake in Texas"... But I also did find that there have not been any fatalities at the park due to these, the Caddo Lake State Park website has some really good guidance to help you prepare.

A lot of the trails interlink so it's easy to make your own route to suit your itinerary. Information about the trails, including the trail map, can be found here.

Location: 

It is located Northwest of Shreveport, just over the border in Texas. We visited on route between Shreveport and Dallas, as it wasn't too much of a detour from Interstate 20.

Time Needed: 

1-2 hours

Parking: 

There are a number of car parks dotted around the area, but we parked at the Visitor Centre.

If you ever happen to be in Amarillo, or perhaps you're on Route 66, I highly recommend visiting the iconic Palo Duro Canyon State Park. I really enjoyed Palo Duro Canyon as it gives you a taste of the dramatic canyon landscapes of the Texas panhandle, without the crowds of a national park. It feels like you're in the wilderness, yet you're only half an hour from the city.

Hiking Trails: 

There are plenty of different trails available at Palo Duro Canyon, we opted to do the most popular one; the Lower Comanche Trail to Lighthouse Rock (commonly known as the Lighthouse Trail). If you'd like to read a more in-depth review, then check out my previous blog post here, Best Leg-Stretchers on Route 66: Lighthouse Trail at Palo Duro Canyon.

Information about the trails, including the trail map can be found here.

Location: 

It is located about half an hour Southeast of Amarillo in Texas.

Time Needed: 

2.5 - 3.5 hours

Parking: 

There is parking available at the visitor centre, and at a number of trailheads, including the start of the Lighthouse Trail.

After a traumatic drive through rush-hour traffic in Atlanta (for context, we're British, and a 16-lane highway is somewhat unheard of in the UK!). It was a relief to enter Sweetwater Creek State Park and enjoy the peace and quiet as we hiked along the creek. The park has a good bit of history, as it is home the ruins of a five-story mill alongside the white-water rapids known as New Manchester Mill, which was put out of use during the American Civil War.

Hiking Trails: 

There are a number of different trails at Sweetwater Creek, we decided to mix them up and head South from the visitor centre via the Red Trail, directly next to the creek, and back up via the White Trail through the woods. A lot of the trails interlink and can be extended onto other trails, so it's easy to make your own route to suit the itinerary, although note that we did find some of the trails difficult to follow, particularly the end of the red trail on South. The trail map can be found here.

Location: 

The state park is only about half an hour from Atlanta, making it a perfect stop off point, if like us, you are avoiding (or recovering from) the chaos of the traffic in Atlanta.

Time Needed: 

1-2 hours

Parking: 

There is parking available at the visitor centre.

This place was the perfect place to experience early-autumn in the South. Tallulah Gorge State Park is home to 5 waterfalls, and 20-miles (32km) worth of hiking and biking trails around the area. I will say, a lot of the trails involve a lot of stairs, particularly those that go down into the canyon to view the waterfalls.

We visited Tallulah Gorge on route between Greenville and Atlanta, and was a perfect pit stop between the endless miles of interstate. Despite the park being located just next to US 441, it feels like you are in the middle of nowhere due to the density of the forest.

Hiking Trails: 

There are a number of trails available at Tallulah Gorge, and we decided to do a mixture of several in order to make it into a worthwhile stop. We parked at the visitor centre and took the Hurrican Falls stairs down into the canyon to view Hurricane Falls, before heading up to meet the South Rim Trail. We went North on this trail which eventually pops you out on a path on the side of US 441 to go over the dam. After the dam, we joined onto the North Rim Trail to head back towards the visitor centre, but we did extend and go over to Inspiration Point before we finished up.

It's worth noting that the trail between the visitor centre and Hurrican Falls involves over 1,000 steps and a suspended bridge.

A lot of the trails interlink so it's easy to make your own route to suit your itinerary. Information about the trails, including the trail map, can be found here.

Location: 

Tallulah Gorge is located between Greenville and Atlanta, just adjacent to US 441.

Time Needed: 

1-2 hours

Parking: 

Parking is available at the visitor centre.