🇬🇧BRIT Reacts To THE BEST STATE PARK IN EVERY US STATE!

🇬🇧BRIT Reacts To THE BEST STATE PARK IN EVERY US STATE!
If You Would Like To Support The Channel: www.paypal.me/kabsayofe
/ kabirconsiders
• The Best State Park in...
Hi everyone, I’m Kabir and welcome to another episode of Kabir Considers! In this video I’m Going to React To THE BEST STATE PARK IN EVERY US STATE!
Follow me on social media:
Instagram: @kabirayofe
Twitter: @kabirconsiders
Email me for business inquiries:
[e-mail]
If you would like to send me anything, my PO Box address is;
Kabir Considers
PO Box 5026
Hornchurch
RM12 9JG
United Kingdom
___________________________________________________________________________
COPYRIGHT DISCLAIMER
FAIR USE ACT
Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing. Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favour of fair use.
ALL RIGHTS BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS

[@phxartistaz]

There are 3,729 state parks in the United States, with 11 states having more than 100 state parks each. There are 423 national parks. Of course, there are also numerous county and municipal parks, some rival state parks in beauty and size. I believe Native American reservations also contain parks that include rather spectacular features and scenery.

[@bamachine]

Yeah, that Alabama one he pointed out, I live about 20 minutes from there but also just a few miles from my home is both another state park and a national park. There are another couple sate parks within an hour from my home.

[@chrisrenemans5026]

Just as a specification, there is 423 location in the national park service, but only around 65 full fledge national parks

[@StevenDietrich-k2w]

@@chrisrenemans5026 63 to be precise

[@kathygreenbean3132]

State parks can be better than some national parks!

[@Alex-kd5xc]

Also there’s a chance they’re a lot less crowded than national parks!

[@nbaer5050]

And sometimes even county parks!

[@thomasbarr2856]

I agree. I have been to 51 National parks so far. In my opinion, there are definitely some state parks that I have visited that are better than some of the lower rung National parks.

[@jariemonah]

Majority of New York State (aka upstate) is wilderness and farmland. NYC occupies 3 islands at the coast next to New Jersey.

[@Subzer039]

Stala"C" for ceiling. Stala"G" for ground

[@ESUSAMEX]

Adirondack State Park is in northern New York State-- just south of the US-Canada border. It's about 5 hours north of NYC by car. Remember NY State is huge. I lived near the park for about three years.

[@key3605]

For me the best state park to go to in Nevada is valley of fire state park

[@RoadDoug]

As an over the road truck driver I can tell you, the scenery from most any State Highway can be breathtaking.

[@evilproducer01]

I was told as a kid while touring Cave of the Mounds, that the easiest way to remember is, stalactites hang “tightly,” from the ceiling, and stalagmites, “might,” reach the ceiling.

[@cbraun4u]

Being from California, it’s very easy to find a state park that’s beautiful and not packed with tourist. Most tourist go to the beaches and big cities like LA.

[@auntiex5343]

Keep in mind that winter in the northern states usually lasts until March or April (we even get snow in May). Buffalo, NY just got 6 FEET of snow this past week end!! The southern states will be pretty nice this time of year. Most of the pictures you saw were taken in the summer months and very early fall. You will need to purchase a pass to get into the state park of your choice, which you can do at the park. The pass is cheaper if you don’t camp overnight, but both fees are very reasonable. The state parks will have websites giving more info on what facilities they have, hours of operation, etc.

[@susanfontaine5214]

Some places near stadium ft. I’m in Rochester. We were lucky. Lake Erie, lake effect snow ❄️ is crazy!

[@hisownfool1]

@@susanfontaine5214 Same here.

[@andrelee7081]

For living in a state park, it depends on that specific park's policy. I live in upstate NY and the Adirondacks definitely have quite a few people living there. Also, people might not know this but Niagara Falls is a state park and not a national one.

[@meghanhause9435]

Yes, Niagara Falls state park is a beautiful state park and one that you wouldn't think of in a highly urban area of the state. While Canada got the better deal in the name of the falls, it way to commercialize to enjoy the falls on your own time without running into people. The American side of the falls isn't as good in the terms of the falls, but the land surrounding the falls in fact better, because it wasn't built up.

[@babs3241]

@@meghanhause9435 Last time I went, the city around Niagara Falls had gotten a little seedy, but still, it's wonderful. I love the little Great Lakes garden (if it's still there), plus it's always fun to walk across the Canadian border.

[@carolinelawson9981]

Isn't Watkins Glen a state park as well?

[@rzawistowski33]

@@carolinelawson9981 yes, I've never been but heard it gets mobbed every summer

[@george217]

For Arkansas, I was kind of surprised that he didn't pick "Crater of Diamonds" State Park. As far as I know it is the only place in the US where you can hunt for diamonds...

[@lamp8112]

I have wanted to go there forever! Such a cool idea!

[@williambranch4283]

East of Helena Montana you can hunt for sapphires.

[@hamsandwich1782]

It’s not only NP and SP, we also have national monuments, national recreation areas, national historic landmarks, national and state lakeshores, national military parks, national preserves, national battlefield parks among many other things. The most condensed area is the northeast.

[@craigplatel813]

Also don't forget all the Bureau of land management land.

[@axshunjaxon4561]

As a North Carolinian I would love for some of the State Parks near the coast to get more love! The Wild horses and dunes next to the ocean deserve the attention

[@unnecessaryapostrophe4047]

I am terrified by the idea of wild horses.

[@smokeyverton7981]

Stalactites grow from the ceiling. Stalagmites grow from the ground. If you're hanging from the ceiling you need to hang tight. That's how I remember

[@elkins4406]

I always remember it because stalacTites are shaped like the letter T, while stalagMites are shaped like the letter M.

[@americansmark]

By far the country is mostly woodland, farmland, prairie, and mountains. My land here in Ohio looks almost identical to the photo in Nebraska. Small lake, huge hills, and trees of every type with a large meadow below my house.

[@CamoJan]

@09:45 is shown Grand Portage State Park in Minnesota. As a Minnesotan, I would have to agree with his choice. I've been there & it's stunning! Actually, any of the state parks along Lake Superior (what we call "the North Shore") would be fantastic destinations. So many waterfalls!! ♥

[@adancer3592]

In Oregon just pick a direction and you will find Amazing places. When we were young our parents would spring a surprise road trip . We would wet our finger to see what way the wind was blowing & that's the direction we would go . Never had a disappointment

[@yugioht42]

State parks are funded almost entirely by the state they are in with a few grants of national conservation. National parks are funded federally, state funded, and public donations. also the land area is different. state parks are smaller and tend to mostly be lakes, rivers or natural springs with a surrounding area set aside for nature conservation. i live by one myself called lake lotus. its a nice spot to fish every weekend or so. but it does have a wooden trail that circles around that is pretty good.

[@gmunden1]

New York is a large state so there are areas north and west of NYC to get away from urbanization: Catskills, The Berkshires, part of the Appalachian Trail, Watkins Glen, Lake George, Niagara Falls and more. Some areas are a short train ride via Grand Central Station, or you can rent a car or take the Amtrak upstate. Pennsylvania has lots of places to go on a day-trip or a weekend trip to Bucks County, Pocono Mountains, or travel to Valley Forge for a historic tour.

[@TechNextLetsGo]

Lived in NY for 24 years. Never once went to NYC as it is basically New Jersey.

[@lamp8112]

I grew up in Connecticut and it has quite a few State Parks and they don't have to be far off the beaten path to be beautiful. I really like Kent Falls State Park. I now live in Minnesota and his pick was great but there are other state parks that are just as great like Itasca State Park where the head waters of the Mississippi River are and you can walk across them. Every state has quite a few state parks. The difference between State and National parks are usually size and who pays for the upkeep. New York is a huge state. There are more farms and woods than cities and towns. My Mom was brought up in the Catskills. Just so you are aware: There are over 6,600 state park sites in the United States covering 14 million acres of land.

[@NurseEmilie]

Most states have lots of wooded areas that are exceptionally beautiful. I can't think of any states that don't have gorgeous wooded areas, lakes and picnic areas.

[@mindofzay2024]

In Northern Indiana you gotta drive to Michigan if you want to see a bunch of wooded areas and a beautiful great lake, and the giant dunes you find there as well. Otherwise we've got corn fields, a few trees between them, and some more cornfields, and a whole lot of rundown small towns and factories 😃 but one day I'll be living somewhere else and when I visit I might see a charm I wouldn't have without moving away. And I'd like to visit the southern portion of the state more often, which has a lot nicer scenery and plus a ton of caves and a lot more trees and nature from all I've seen.

[@debbieelholm7921]

Each state park offers something unique to experience. I live in Wisconsin and my favorite park (which is also very popular) is Wyalusing State Park. This park has the most hiking trails. It borders the Mississippi River and it overlooks the the meeting of the Wisconsin River joining the Mississippi River. You can camp, hike, take a canoe out on the river or just sit and relax and enjoy the scenery. The other. When you come to the states, buy a golden passport for the National Park system. The passport gets you into every national park, forest and monument areas. It’ll save you money. This passport doesn’t get you into the state parks. Each state has its own pass to get you into all the state parks within its borders.

[@JodiLWK]

As a Michigander (a person from the state of Michigan), I would have picked one of our State Parks located on the Lakeshore/West Michigan side of the state. The views are beautiful. Like most states in America, Michigan has several National Parks and over a hundred State Parks. As someone who does and loves international travel (minus the jet lag 🙂) some of my favorite places I have visited are located here, in the good ol' U.S.A.

[@robynaboverubiesorpearls]

I agree about Michigan. That choice was a little underwhelming.

[@bmorg5190]

I don’t know why he use the word hipster with Michigan either. I am in those areas he mentioned all the time and I have no clue what hipster hast to do with it.. 🤦‍♂️🤣🤷‍♂️ The cringe is ridiculous.! I hate when people from other places in the world try to tell people what is up with where they live their entire lives..

[@daveparker839]

I’ve not been to much in Michigan (from Illinois) but some of the views you can get in the U.P. are incredible and now hearing what you said I’m also disappointed in his selection.

[@bmorg5190]

@@daveparker839 There aren’t many great views in Michigan compared to other states but yes.. I would for sure go to the porcupine mountains in the U.P. Just really anywhere up there. It’s always funny the amount of people that don’t even think about the upper peninsula of Michigan. I’m talking more about people from other states. It’s left out on so many maps I’ve noticed over the years as well haha. Wish we could go back to around before the Europeans arrived and check out all of the North American land. would be amazing. I can’t say much about Illinois though. I’ve only been to Chicago a couple times and Chicago isn’t Illinois. That’s just common sense but I know how it is hearing people from states other than Michigan I think that all of Michigan is just like Detroit 🤣🤣🤦‍♂️🤦‍♂️🤯🤯 that just tells you how ignorant so many people are. They don’t actually visit those places but go by bad stereotypes. All right I’m done rambling 😆🦃

[@michaelschemlab]

I’ve never been to Garret State Forest, but I would recommend Assateague Island State Park. It’s an Island on the Atlantic coast where wild horses roam in abundance on the beaches

[@Indigolily80]

I finally went to Assateague back in August. It took us almost 3 hours to drive from Newport News. Hopefully, next time we can fo camping.

[@hollyheikkinen4698]

Fun Fact - St Louis County in Northeastern Minnesota is bigger than 3 States in the Northeast - Rhode Island, Connecticut & Delaware. St Louis County is almost 7,000 square miles in size & is the largest county East of the Mississippi River (the Headwaters of the Mississippi River are a little west of St Louis County in a neighboring county). We have multiple County Courthouses & County Fairs because the county is so big. A lot of the county is forested, farmland, active & inactive Iron Ore/Taconite mines & pits, lakes, rivers, etc. There's ample State & National Parks to explore.

[@peggyjones3282]

The red rocks are from the iron in the soil. Yes. It's oxidized, like rust. If you work in the park, sometimes they have employee housing. You can't build a house there. There are some state forests where people have privately owned cabins, but those are usually grandfathered in because they were built before the area was designated as state forest land.

[@cridgeway666]

I learned stalactites are from the ceiling & stalagmites are from the ground. I'm from New Jersey and grew up in the southern end of the state which no one ever mentions. Parvin State Park is fairly local to where I live & have visited it many times as I was growing up. It has a river, Maurice River that runs through it and is very wooded. They have campgrounds, kayak & canoe rentals, a public beach with barbecue grills & many beautiful areas & nowhere near the megalopolis to the north.

[@djdoss2775]

Stalac”tite”s have to hold on “tight” to keep from falling down. That’s how I learned the difference. ❤️

[@tvc1848]

I agree with the C but ceiling and G for ground. It is that simple.

[@RogCBrand]

I like to think of it as Stalactites have a "T" which looks like it's hanging down, while Stalagmites have an "M" which could be a couple pointing up.

[@Tiffany-ne9fr]

You'd be amazed how many people go missing in national and state parks and the only thing left behind of them is the clothes they had on their backs, just left in the woods/forests. I have traveled out of the US and lived in many parts of Mexico but no matter how much I try I always return home to the US! There really isn't a need to travel, we can get authentic foods from elsewhere here, we have just about every climate within our nation....beaches, deserts, mountains, forests, swamps, tropical, cold, hot....whatever your heart desires really. I live on the river in a small city but I can drive just a few miles and be in the middle of nowhere. I can drive a short distance and be at different lakes, be in a forest, be in a big city, or just disappear all together. People do own private property that happens to be within a national or state park, it's called in-holding. There's over 6,600 state parks with over 14 minion acres of land. There are 423 national parks that span more than 84 million acres.

[@jimgreen5788]

Tiffany, technically there are 423 units, but only 63 of those units thus far have been awarded Park status, the others being monuments, lakeshores, seashores, scenic byways, battlefields, historic sites, etc. However, you're not the only one to lump them together. A very good channel here is America's Parks, and he (Randy) calls the Park level ones "the big 63", but all are parks to him.

[@Perfectly_Cromulent351]

For your trip, I hope you consider visiting Northern California, especially wine country in and around Santa Rosa in Sonoma Country, which is about an hour north of San Francisco. There are vineyards that rival Italy in beauty and in between them are redwood forests that look exactly like Endor from Star Wars (the real Endor was actually shot further north). You’re also a short drive away from insanely picturesque beaches. The food, wine and beer are also incredible. Also, the state is MASSIVE. There are so many parks, both state and national, that they never really feel crowded or touristy.

[@susanfontaine5214]

In NY we do get amazing fall foliage! Tons of amazing parks, trails, etc. in NY. 😊❤

[@GenXfrom75]

South Carolina has many beautiful state parks 💞

[@bradb3248]

My favorite in Ohio is Hocking Hills State Park, haven’t been to Shawnee. None compare though to the ones out west.

[@TheBubbaClemson]

Most of America has vibrant flora and fauna, the vast majority of our population is on the coasts and great lakes, leaving 80% of America with small cities, a few large ones but mostly open area. And yes, if you think about it, if you visit one state a year, that's 50years, so we generally don't visit other countries as in many ways each region is like another country within a country.

[@garrymoore2161]

He missed by about 30 miles in Michigan. Where the mighty Au Sable River flows into Lake Huron, the Tawas State Forest comes up through nearly 40 miles of primeval forest to the river's southern shore. Going along it's northern shore for 50 miles into the center of the state and 60 miles or so north through nothing but rivers and woods is the Huron national Forest. Few roads go through the area and several small villages exist within them.

[@hisownfool1]

New York has a bunch of great parks. Besides Adirondack, you also have Letchworth, about 40 minutes from my home, which has been dubbed the "Grand Canyon of the East," and Watkins Glen State Park. Much of Central and Western New York was shaped by the glaciers and there are gorges everywhere. Then there's the Finger lakes whose water can be an unreal shade of blue, almost sapphire.

[@mikaylawalsh6069]

for Minnesota, grand Portage is one of about 6 state parks/private parks on the main highway that goes along Lake Superior. I would start my journey in Duluth at the maritime museum and hit the road north. Split Rock Lighthouse is easily worth half a day itself!

[@WhatDayIsItTrumpDay]

Yes, as an Illinois resident myself, as he said, one might only think of Illinois as being flat farmland, but that's really only in the interior or the state...away from the river channels/valleys. But once you get close to the Mississippi and Ohio River Valley areas, you will see lots lot bluffs, and really rocky hills with out croppings and even a few water falls here and there. I live close to the southern tip of Illinois. Just north of the Shawnee National Forest. If you look at a Google Map or Earth image of Illinois, you'll see a large green area all throughout the southern tip, framed by Mississippi and Ohio Rivers. That's the Shawnee National Forest. And it gets pretty hilly in that area too. Now nothing too major in terms of elevation, but we're talking about 300 feet higher than the lower flatter areas around it. Just checked some elevations and my home town just north of the Forest is about 400 ft above sea level, and what appears to be the highest point is 760 feet above sea level. While that may not sound like much, but like I said, it's enough to create some very cool rock outcroppings, waterfalls and rocky streams. In fact, there's a small recreation area, called Garden of the Gods, which is dubbed a Hiking Wilderness Area that is kind of a tourist attraction for folks who visit the area. If you'd like to check out a few pics from it, do a search on Google Earth for Garden of the Gods, Herod, Illinois, and then select the user submitted photos of the place in the upper right of the selection window. This area is actually in the extreme southeast corner of my county. But to get there, you have to travel through the surrounding counties because it's just back up in dem dar hills, if you know what I mean. Unfortunately there's been several accidental deaths there from people falling off these rocks. Seems like we get a death or two every year there.

[@stevenmutzu8940]

I live in Missouri, we have 92 state parks with more then 150,000 acres. But we have a thing called the Department of Conservation. The Department of Conservation has 975,000 acres.

[@danbaker300]

For Minnesota, you really can't go wrong with any of the North Shore parks - Grand Portage, Split Rock Lighthouse, Temperance River, Cascade River, Gooseberry Falls, and Tettegouche are all pretty. Texas has too many for me to judge whether he got the best one; I'm personally partial to Lost Maples. Many state parks allow temporary camping but there generally aren't any permanent houses there. It's all state-owned land and kept specifically to preserve the wilderness.

[@lucky4leafedclover442]

Personally for Minnesota, I’d do Itasca State park. It’s the headwaters of the Mississippi River and is absolutely beautiful

[@hashbrownfob]

Gooseberry and Split rock are one of my favorite places. We used to take a trip up there every year when I was growing up, I've tried to keep up on it as an adult but haven't always followed through.

[@hashbrownfob]

@@lucky4leafedclover442 Hell yeah Itasca is great!

[@MISHTION]

I live in a small town 10 minutes away from tonto natural bridge, Arizona. I'm a native Arizonan but I have never been to the tonto natural bridge. Im thinking about going now

[@BigglesworthTheGrey]

There are somewhere around 5,000+ state parks in the US. Up to 12,000 depending on classification.

[@samhutchison9582]

The Oregon Beaches are great parks. Just be prepared for the weather to suuuuuuuck. Good Oregon runner up is Silver Falls.

[@ViolentKisses87]

There are sometimes existing homes /properties you can buy within parks. But there are lots more touching the outer edges of parks.

[@ixchel55]

I checked and there are actually 2,474 state parks in the US. What he said is very true, you can see scenery in state parks that rivals national parks without the crowds or the much higher admission price.

[@kazeryu17]

For Virginia, all of the parks are nice. The one thats closest to me is First Landing State Park (the location where the Jamestown settlers First touched American soil, and the hideout for Blackbeard the pirate). It is a decant Park with beaches, and trails that wind through the swamp, and over hills in the woods. I have heard alot of nice things about Grayson Highlands State Park. Fun fact: the Appalachian mountains, and the Scottish Highlands are the same mountain range. They were once connected.

[@Indigolily80]

I booked a cabin there for next spring

[@katw3070]

My ancestors were among the first settlers of Grayson County (originally part of Wythe Co.), Va. in the late 1700s and there are still family members living there. Grayson Highlands State Park is in Grayson County, not far from the family home. There are wild ponies in Grayson Highlands SP, of which many are not quite so “wild” and are usually not bothered by people being close. It’s beautiful there, serene and calming to the soul. My favorite place.

[@katw3070]

@@Indigolily80 I think you will love it there.

[@drakeslocum2564]

There is a place called red bluff here in my state (Mississippi). It’s not a state or national park, but it should be it is very beautiful and looks like a mini Grand Canyon

[@monicapdx]

He's right about Oregon's coast, and it's wildly dramatic, too. For much of it, the Coast Mountain Range basically plunges straight into the ocean. But we and Washington have some amazing scenery. The eastern part of both states are high desert plateau, much of it built up over vast lava beds. Washington has Dry Falls, which isn't even a park!--but has the remains of a gigantic horseshoe falls much bigger than Niagara Falls. No water going over them, but the megafloods during some of the Ice Ages carved those and the Columbia River Gorge in Oregon. Oregon has cinder cones and lava tube caves. And both our Western sides not only have the great coasts, but so many forests, mountains, rivers, and other features that it'd make you dizzy.

[@ithilnin123]

My home state of Tennessee has 56 state parks alone. 💁🏻‍♀️ There are over 6,600 state parks nationwide.

[@GTM9164]

To answer your question about 40% or 640 million acres in the US mainly out west are Public land. A lot of the public land can be used by farmers rancher and recreations sometimes logging or other industry is also allowed. It basically broken down to National parks, National forest and conservation areas, national monuments, national historical sites, protected rivers waterways and coastlines, Wilderness areas, and then state parks. Some of the best hiking and camping I've down has been in national forest and national monuments not national parks because they can be crowded in the summer.

[@scotttretten8020]

your thoughts on California are off base in that the State parks are filled with tourists there are 279 California State Parks while some are filled with tourists most are underused remember the eastern and far north of the state are quite rural

[@lt.spears1889]

I’m from Minnesota, Goosberry State Park is a stunner as well and could be considered Minnesota’s best state park

[@greggardner3229]

Michigan should be Porcupine Mountains State Wilderness Area.

[@ILike2Tinker]

Good luck on your trip to the states. I can't imagine how hard it is to select what you want to see with so many options and limited time.

[@CaoimhinP61]

On top of the National Park Service sites and all the State parks, the 154 National Forests in the United States aren't to be missed either. Arguably the most scenic spots in my home state of North Carolina (or at least the most scenic I've ever seen here) can be found in Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests in the Blue Ridge mountains

[@RDSRDSRDSReDraguns]

I was in a depression when I went into Jedediah State Park in Northern California and I came out better. The most amazing energy I have ever felt in my life

[@karenwhitt8972]

The West side of M Michigan is hillie with some cliffs.the east side of the state is flatter.its a beautiful state .but in the upper ponicela some people have doors on the second story to get out in winters.they get snow by the door up there..

[@arasdeeps1852]

Florida Caverns has gotten pretty crowded over the years. Went there once a year growing up, but it's gotten pretty expensive and you can't go in the caves anymore without the guided tour. Another less well known, smaller state park not too far away, and right off of I10 is Falling Waters State Park. It a boardwalk around a bunch of sinkhole with the "tallest" waterfall in Florida. It goes from the surface into a sinkhole dropping about 100 feet. The sinkholes are covered in ferns and moss in a forest so everything is really green and pretty.

[@stayfly3000]

I'm partial to Blue Springs State Park in Florida because its near my home and Manatees migrate there each year, Nov - March.

[@timlamb6196]

Belle Isle in Detroit which is the largest city park in America which is even larger than Central park in New York. Fishing, a beach, picnicking, Dodge fountain, great views of both the Detroit skyline and Windsor(Canada) skyline etc. In Michigan you gotta go to Mackinac Island and in Alabama you GOTTA go to Cathedral caverns or Dauphin Island and go camp out in their camp site.

[@LifeStirredUp]

For Kentucky, I would have chosen either Cumberland Falls State Park or Carter Caves State Park.

[@jeffking887]

The Flint Hills Trail in Kansas is great biking. Mostly crushed limestone. Those pictures that look like the shire are during the spring. It’s usually very dry. Still beautiful.

[@LizJasonHEA]

Hey Kabir, I'm your biggest fan in Tennessee. My favorite State Park in Tennessee is Fall Creek Falls State park. This park is set inside the beautiful Cumberland plateau region, just a short drive West from the Great Smoky Mountains National Park which by the way is the most visited National Park in the nation. Fall Creek falls State Park boasts three beautiful waterfalls, lots of trails, swinging Bridges to walk across, camping and cabins and an Inn you can rent. But the main attraction is the main waterfall which is Fall Creek falls. It is the tallest waterfall east of the Mississippi river. There's also horseback riding , a golf course, canoeing and a nature center that you can visit to learn about the various plants and animals that are found in the park. I think you'd really enjoy it.

[@eastportland]

A National Park in Wyoming to recommend: Two Ocean Pass is a mountain pass on North America's Continental Divide, in the Teton Wilderness, which is part of Wyoming's Bridger-Teton National Forest. The pass is notable for Parting of the Waters, where one stream, North Two Ocean Creek, splits into two distributaries, Pacific Creek and Atlantic Creek, at Parting of the Waters National Natural Landmark. These two creeks ultimately flow into their respective oceans.

[@rzawistowski33]

In New York it's easily the Adirondacks. It's over 6 million acres or 9000 square miles. If you were to drive a circle around it, it would take all day, but 100% worth the time.

[@mdsh00]

In California, the Humboldt Redwoods State Park (home to the Avenue of the Giants) and Redwood State (and National) Park are spectacular.

[@loonyTlu]

StalagMites are the ones hanging down, stalactites grow upwards. The way to remember is thinking of the points of the letter M in stalagmites as fingers hanging down and T as a tree growing up..

[@adirondackmama7724]

12:27 Adirondack park. My home. Over 6 million acres of forest, Mountains, lakes, and rivers. Home to tiny towns and way more trees then people. The Hudson river starts here in a tiny town. You can actually jump it. It's a area full of early American history with fort Ticonderoga and the French fort at crown point. You can get as lost in the wilderness as you like, hike the 46 mountains, or visit small lake side communities. 😂 I know I am a bit obsessed. I think the best time to visit here is September. It's cooler most of the summer folks have went home and the hunters are not in the woods yet. You get to experience more and us locals aren't nearly as stressed as we are in the height of tourist season.

[@jLutraveling]

Yes you have to stop for a buffalo jam.

[@kimstone8532]

Big Bend state park is absolutely beautiful. On a clear night the sky takes your breath away. It's a great location for star gazing.

[@farvadafatazz2274]

Missouri has Ha Ha Tonka. The castle, trails, lake. The entire Ozarks is pretty AMAZING

[@TruthLies68]

Southern Oregon coast here....that didn't even begin to showcase what we have here...Bandon Oregon beaches...Face Rock state park...stunner!

[@hippiemama52]

An easy way to remember about stalactites and stalagmites is that stalactites has the letter c in it. C for ceiling.

[@TheRandomRedSoxGuy]

3:35 Any trip to California absolutely MUST include a visit to Yosemite National Park, as heavily touristed as it admittedly can be. I'm biased but it's up there in eight-wonders-of-the-world territory if you ask me. Yosemite Valley, like the Grand Canyon, is simply something everyone should see once in their lifetime. If you're headed out in the winter or early spring, that's likely the best time to visit because the summer crowds haven't come in yet, the holiday crowds have left, you'll have the park mostly to yourself, it's cold but NOT THAT COLD, and Yosemite in the winter is one of nature's best offerings. Something about snow in Yosemite Valley, when it falls, is that it just swallows up all the sound, making for a very quiet, cathedral-like experience. My favorite state park in California is probably Emma Wood State Park near Ventura, a largely untouched and unnoticed (yet easily accessible) park off the Pacific Coast highway with walking trails down to and along an absolutely dynamite rock beach.

[@hollykinslow5193]

Yes! Park Rangers are considered State Employees and are provided a home on most of the parks in Tennessee. Tennessee parks range from small day time parks, to having an "Inn" where you can get rooms or cabins relatively cheap. Also comes with Restaurants, pools, tennis courts, etc.

[@lalida6432]

I think Michigan has some much more beautiful parks up near Lake Superior.

[@thomasbarr2856]

Yes, like Porcupine Mountain State Park.

[@maxiemccall]

Kolomoki Mounds State Historic Park in southwest Georgia is a protected state park. On the site of the park are seven mounds, used for specific activities. They mounds are believed by archaeologists to have been used by the Swift Creek and Wheeden Island Native Americans between 1000BC and 900AD. There is also a museum, camping sites, waterways for recreational use and fishing.

[@richhenry8004]

There are like 2500 state parks in the US. And yes, most of New York is actually quite rural - NYC is just an anomaly.

[@larrykalb599]

Being born and raised in Colorado there are a couple dozen state parks here. I have worked at State Forest State Park for 3 summers while I was In high school and those were some of the best times.

[@loverbay4235]

The Redwood parks in NorCal are really beautiful (that's where they filmed Endor scenes for Return of the Jedi), although one of them is technially a national park. If you love trees though, it's a must-see. Also, the sequoia national park has most of the largest trees in North America (Including "General Sherman", the largest tree in the world). There are really no words to describe how surreal it is to see in person knowing the trees have been around since before the end of the bronze age (the oldest being more than 3,200 years old).

[@Jeff_Lichtman]

The difference between a state and federal park is that a state park is owned and run by a state government, while a federal park is owned and run by the national government. There are also city parks, county parks, and regional parks. It's easy to find parks in California that aren't full of tourists. For example, Año Nuevo and Hendy Woods are usually not crowded. My favorite state park in California is Point Lobos State Natural Reserve. Landscape artist Francis McComas called it the ""greatest meeting of land and water in the world." Well over half the land in the U.S. is undeveloped, especially as you get out west. About a third of the land is forested. There are also large areas of desert, tundra (in Alaska), grassland, etc. Large parts of upstate New York are rural. There's a lot more to the state than just NYC. Some park rangers live in state parks, in facilities provided by the government. The average person can't do that. You certainly aren't allowed to build anything there. It wouldn't surprise me, though, if there were people living permanently in tents in some state parks, although it's generally not allowed by law. Those red rocks are caused by iron oxides. That is, they're full of naturally occurring rust.

[@pjkerrigan20]

In Illinois he definitely missed out on Midewin National Tallgrass Prairie. So much of the prairie ecosystem in the Prairie State has been destroyed (about 99% of it, in fact), but Midewin is a large revitalized prairie about an hour south of Chicago. There’s no breathtaking topography or waterfalls or anything, but the American tallgrass prairie is a truly beautiful and unique ecosystem. If you like wildflowers, butterflies, songbirds, and bumblebees, you’ll love visiting a prairie in summer. Midewin even has a growing bison herd, such a cool thing to see in person (but only from a distance haha). Technically Midewin isn’t a state park, but it’s definitely a slept-on natural area in IL. I’d also say Geography King clearly doesn’t know his New England as well as some other regions haha. Massachusetts may be densely populated, but most of the central and western part of the state is forests, hills, and mountains. I’ve lived in Central Mass for a few years and gotta say we’ve got some very underrated natural areas here. One of my favs is Purgatory Chasm, but even the little Cascades park in my home city of Worcester is a lot of fun.

[@MrGlenspace]

My home state of New York has the Adirondack state park. So big it is larger then Yellowstone and Yosemite combined. As the guy said it is the size of a state it is so big. Plus it has a chair named after it.

[@sandyangel4243]

Upstate NY is just beautiful. I grew up there. Year around there is always something to do in the outdoors. I couldnt do it now. NY is very cold in the winter. In state parks they do offer housing for Park Rangers. That way they are available 24 hours a day. They may have cabins or campers for them.

[@HermanVonPetri]

The red color of the rocks is almost always due to it containing oxidized iron. So, yes, it is literally rust in the rocks. There are other minerals and organic compounds that can contribute too, but iron oxide is the most common.

[@donnamichelerichey2878]

I live near Rocky Mountain National Park but he is not wrong in regards to being no shortage of stunning state parks. You have definitely seen Maroon Bells as a screensaver

[@cindymatthewsarrowdalearts6449]

My son, who is an accomplished photographer, lives in Aurora, CO and he's out every weekend taking photographs. 9 times out of 10 he'll be at Rocky Mtn National Park. He tries to hit up various parks within an hour and a half to 2 hours of his home. He works for the Arapaho County Parks System, so there's that level of park, too. In Colorado it's almost impossible to miss a stunning photo op!

[@gregfarmer707]

I live in Maine. He is right. Baxter State Park is remote, beautiful and a very large park that offers camping, fishing and hiking. I have hiked the Hunt Trail up Mount Katahdin and loved it.

[@Boog1137]

To answer your question about what makes the rocks red, that would be the prevalence of various iron oxides in the rock

[@gdhaney136]

My friends son is a bartender at resort in Yosemite, and he lives there seasonally while working, but all the staff live in dorms.

[@WhatDayIsItTrumpDay]

My cousin almost lost his life there on the Current River in Missouri back in the early/mid 80s, when we were still young children. He was born in '76, so whatever year that was, I think he was still under 10 years old. But what happened was that they were canoing down the river, and the canoe tipped over. And my cousin never resurfaced. However what he did was he got up under the canoe in the air pocket, until my uncle felt underneath the canoe and felt his leg. Pretty scary incident for sure. But yeah, Current River was a pretty popular spot for Ilkinois residents to go to do that River gliding activity.

[@NurseEmilie]

The way I remember which is which, I think of a stalagmite as saying, "I might reach the ceiling." Stalagtite is "Hold tight, we're going down."

[@Therealhoopangel]

Do note that traveling to see a large amount of state parks will take up a large part of your vacation. Here in ‘merica, plane travel when going to see different states is ideal.

[@WhatDayIsItTrumpDay]

New York State itself is pretty mountainous once you get out of the coastal bit there at NYC and Long Island. The Appalachian mountain chain runs right up thru there and you get all kinda of gorgeous hills and valleys upstate New York. The film, "Last of the Mohicans" (1992) takes place in that area. Fort William Henry, the British-built Fort in 1755 that's featured in the film is in Lake George, NY, just about 10 miles north of where the Mighty Hudson River peters out and turns west. But it's 180 miles north of NYC.

[@ColinWilkinson-p2y]

Minnesota here. He had a good pick. Many choices. The cliche is Lake Itasca, source of the Mississippi.

[@Jliske2]

13:35 understand what you meant by "flat". in fact, a lot of these features were carved into a previously flat landscape, hence the highest parts being flat and level with each other.

[@DanielCurious]

Native of Illinois here … Starved Rock and Mathesison are good too, but Little Giant tucked next to Shawnee National Forest in southern IL would be my choice. And to answer a couple of your questions. The US is far more natural than what you would be accustomed to in the UK. Some places, are very populated, like around major metro areas and some are nearly empty. Some employees of state and national parks do have housing provided within the parks as part of their compensation package, so yes you can live inside a park! Some families have properties within parks, but those are special circumstances often from the formation of the parks normally.

[@magarthur3420]

Since you're coming over from the UK I would suggest looking at *National* Parks. They are the larger, more famous areas of the US. Nothing against these Parks but if you're coming over for maybe the only time in your life, you don't want to miss some of the National Parks.

[@BoudicaAngel7359]

You are right, you were only thinking of NYC. And even then, we have some amazing parks within the 5 boroughs. However, all across and up and down New York State, you will find amazing state parks. We have caves, waterfalls, mountain ranges, and incredible forests, lakes, major great lakes, and every kind of nature the North East has to offer.

[@stellaandes759]

Stalactites grow from the ceiling down. So c for ceiling. Stalagmites grow from the ground up. So g for ground. That's how I remember it. So many beautiful state parks. In the west a large portion of our states are owned by the federal government. Once one gets out of the city of NYC and goes north and west, there is a lot of beauty, or so I've heard. Housing is also cheaper in other areas of the state, by the way.

[@lazyidiotofthemonth]

As for Minnesota, I would put Itasca State Park over Grand Portage, as it contains the Headwaters of the Mississippi, has Native American BUrial Mounds, the two largest trees in Minnesota, and the one park in American you are guaranteed to see Bald Eagles.