These are just our opinions….what we’ve come across as pleasant surprises along our journey. They are not the typical touristy places – which makes them even greater because they’re probably not busy (and most likely FREE, or cheap!)
I will try to keep to just one per state.
PALISADES STATE PARK, SOUTH DAKOTA
Rock formations, swimming river COST: $8 day use fee or $35 for camping
Sophie picked this place out and although the camping was full by the time we looked into it, we camped nearby and then visited here for a couple hours and were blown away by the natural beauty and fun swimming river. This state park is just minutes from the freeway (90) and we’ve passed it dozens of times on our travels from Minnesota to out West.
AYRES NATURAL BRIDGE near DOUGLAS, WYOMING
Pretty, free camping COST: Free
Maybe because this was within our first week; maybe because this was a free campsite – either way it makes it to “the list”. It literally is a hidden gem because it’s off the freeway about 15 minutes down into a rocky canyon (no cell or internet). Great for a dip in the creek (we floated down a couple times in tubes). The caretaker did say this county park gets crazy on weekends but we had the luxury of feeling the whole park was ours on this particular weekday. Volleyball court, horseshoes, picnic areas, and fun hidden treasures to find like fairy houses and monkeys hanging in trees. I wouldn’t go out of my way for this spot but if you’re ever driving highway 25 in Wyoming (between Casper and the Black Hills) I’d definitely stop by – especially for a free night to RV or tent camp.
CITY BEACH in SANDPOINT, IDAHO
Beautiful – sand, water, and view! COST: Free
This was just a quick stop (after a fellow traveller recommended Sandpoint) on our way to our first Harvest Host in Laclede, Idaho. Wished we would have had more time here. It was a perfect day for the lake and it couldn’t have been more clear – the sky and water! The white sandy beach was soft and warm and in Northern Idaho!? If you’re up in the Sandpoint area definitely stop at City Beach – free parking and walking distance to the cutest part of town (shopping and ice cream!).
ROCKPORT STATE PARK, WASHINGTON
Great hike, magical COST: $10 day use/parking
Rockport State Park is in Rockport, WA just west of the Cascade Range. A 2.4 mile hiking loop takes you through a whole Jurassic-like world. The ferns, moss, towering trees, rushing creeks, and slimy slugs were so magical! It was a bit humid (especially coming from the dry North Cascades) but we were so pleasantly surprised at what this park and short hike had to offer! If you find yourself on Hwy 20 in northern Washington this is a must!
SILVER FALLS STATE PARK, OREGON
Great hike, waterfalls! COST: $10 day use/parking or $35 to camp
Your choice of different lengths of hikes will bring you by (and behind) several waterfalls! We chose the 5.6 mile hike that took us past 7 waterfalls! The Trail of Ten Falls is an 8.7 mile hike. We opted for the 5.6 but then drove to an 8th waterfall (North Falls) that had a 0.6 round trip walk. It was a relatively easy hike with only a 500 feet elevation gain. The magic was walking behind these 200 foot waterfalls! This area was built/conserved during the Great Deperession when the government tried to provide jobs as well as conserve the beautiful parts of America. I’d say that was a win-win that we can enjoy to this day!