However, the best part of a treasure hunt is the excitement that lies within the pursuit of finding all that is hidden. Estes Park is a perfectly picturesque mountain town hidden among the pine forests of Colorado’s Estes Valley. Named after the Kansa Native American tribe, the state of Kansas is located in the Midwestern region of the United States of America. My husband, Tim, and I recently had our wedding ceremony and reception at Pocahontas State Park. Visitors can hike the rim or gorge trails, play tennis, picnic or swim in the park's stream-fed pool. Homepage Hocking Hills Attractions Top Hidden Gems in Ohio Near Hocking Hills Half the fun of travel lies in the potential for discovering something exciting and new along the route. 1 Minnesota’s North Shore State Parks. Tucked away in Cloudland Canyon State Park is a mesmerizing world of wonderful nature and breathtaking views seen the edges of the canyon walls. With the amount of state parks we have here in Texas, ... For more hidden gems in Texas, check out our previous article: 20 Hidden Gems In Texas Most People Don’t Know Even Exist – Part 2. I am going to share with you my top 4 “hidden gems” of this state park. The state was discovered by Spanish explorers in 1541 and purchased by the U.S. in 1803 under the Louisiana Purchase. It may be the National Park’s 100th anniversary, but here in Georgia we have something else to celebrate as well: the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites’ 85th anniversary.. To kick off the year, the park system revealed its “hidden gems”—spots that the rangers know … An unmarked trail through the field at Elk Pen, in Harriman State Park, will get you to the white-blazed Appalachian Trail. Some of these are available for anyone to see them (as long as you know what to look for) and others are only available through guided walks at certain times of the year. Why go: This old quarry is beautiful and there are interesting trails through Keys native vegetation. It is also the gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park, 415 square miles of wild and varied terrain that is home to a dense concentration of wildlife and the site of some of the best hiking in the United States. Be sure to bring your camera to commemorate this underappreciated yet gorgeous hidden Georgian gem. With 70 parks spread across the state — including nature preserves, wildlife areas, forests, and more — that attract up to 44 million visitors per year, Illinois' system of state parks makes for a fabulous trip in any area of the state. Harriman State Park lies within a 16,000-acre wildlife refuge in the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem. Windley Key Fossil Reef State Park. Perhaps it needs a bigger sign or better advertising, or even a public relations firm. When you hit the road in Upstate New York, be sure to keep an eye out for one of these dozen hidden gems. As you can probably imagine, looking at the old rancher buildings was my favorite part of our visit. It may be the National Park’s 100th anniversary, but here in Georgia we have something else to celebrate as well: the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites’ 85th anniversary. Yet this landmark still remains one of the state’s hidden gems for … For every Yosemite, there is a lesser known park where the scenery shines and surprises. But there is a hidden gem you may not see in your Google search, and that is Pocahontas State Park located in Chesterfield, Virginia. 2 Lake Superior Hiking Trail. Especially the North Shore’s state parks. Harriman State Park, Island Park: See 94 reviews, articles, and 49 photos of Harriman State Park, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 20 attractions in Island Park. While undeveloped, these parks are hidden gems off the beaten path where you can truly get away from it all. This hidden gem offers 125 campsites in the woodlands and along a stream. Harriman State Park Seven Lakes Dr / Bear Mountain Circle Ramapo, NY 10974. For more information on reservations at Harriman call (845) 947-2444 or visit Harriman State Park. Hidden Gems. Dead Horse Point State Park, Near Canyonlands National Park. Photo: Dominick Fiorille. 84900 Overseas Highway, Islamorada, FL 33036 (305) 664-2540. Even in the busy Florida Keys, there are hidden gems that are not much visited, like Windley Key Fossil Reef State Park. Harriman State Park has 140 campsites, whereas Bear Mountain Inn offers 37 rustic cabins, as well as a number of full-service cottages. Why we love it: - Spectacular views of Canyonlands National Park - Plenty of recreation within and around the park The Balancing Boulder Contents hide. If you travel frequently, you probably already know about popular tourist attractions in every state. Share 'Hidden Gems at Illinois' State Parks' When warm weather comes to Illinois, it’s time to get outdoors and bask in nature. In parts grassy, or rocky, or wooded, the loop that includes the blue-blazed Timp-Torne Trail and the red-blazed Ramapo-Dunderberg trail includes plenty of varied terrain, great views of the Hudson River, a historic lean-to shelter and so much more. The hidden gems of the United States. Great Falls. Hiding In Plain Sight, West Rock Ridge State Park In Connecticut Feels Like One Of The State’s Best Kept Secrets. Highly rated hidden gems in Island Park: Top hidden gem activities. Hidden gems along Minnesota’s scenic North Shore. This canyon was carved by erosion due to poor farming practices during the 1800s. Harriman State Park, Island Park: See 94 reviews, articles, and 51 photos of Harriman State Park, ranked No.3 on Tripadvisor among 20 attractions in Island Park. ... Montana, or Colorado, but we are open to planning the visit to most any state and any park that will afford us a great experience. You will definitely want to bring your camera for this one. There are a few Virginia State Parks that host real fossils, proof of a bygone era evidenced by bones, teeth, and shells liberally scattered along the river shorelines in the Chesapeake Bay region.. Two favorite places to hunt for fossils are Chippokes Plantation State Park on the James River, Westmoreland State Park on the Potomac River, and York River State Park on well, the name says it all. If you’re a lucky resident of Connecticut, chances are you’ve explored West Rock Ridge State Park. Yet, tucked away in the lesser-known areas of Pawtuckaway are a couple of hidden treasures that are worth finding. Park rangers will help visitors explore the hidden gems of Providence Canyon Outdoor Recreation Area (Lumpkin). In addition to our 55 developed, staff-operated state parks there are a number of other parks and areas where visitors are welcome. Most of the Georgia State Parks and Historic Sites have identified their “hidden gems” – those special attributes, trails or unusual elements that make them special. Hidden gems: readers share tips on US national parks – as it happened. 3 Caribou Falls. To get you started, here’s a list of hidden gems in each of Wisconsin’s seven regions. Other State Park Lands Sentinel Rock State Park. Officially dubbed as the “Sunflower State,” Kansas was awarded statehood in 1861. Sarah and Tim making an entrance. Summer is a great time to enjoy the Great Lakes State and our parks, trails, campgrounds and more. Rock Island State Park and The Blue Hole. Whatever the reason, Harriman doesn’t get the attention it deserves from ardent outdoor enthusiasts. Hidden gems in Upstate NY: 12 places you don't want to miss. Park Lake Tiorati Beach - Harriman State Park is located in Bear Mountain. Maybe Harriman State Park is overshadowed by more famous places on U.S. Highway 20 like Yellowstone National Park and Henry’s Lake. See Tripadvisor's 963 traveller reviews and photos of Island Park hidden gem attractions Pick Your Park: 7 Hidden Gems in Wisconsin State Parks Wisconsin has dozens of state parks and forests, so no matter where you find yourself, you can guarantee there’s a park to explore nearby. Check out the list, find your adventure, and then share it with us! Use our Bear Mountain trip planner to visit Lake Tiorati Beach - Harriman State Park on your trip to Bear Mountain, and learn what else travelers and our writers recommend seeing nearby. About the Park. Hidden Gems: Six Michigan State Parks to Visit This Summer In Michigan, you are never more than an hour’s drive from a state park or recreation area. My family and I stopped at Harriman State Park because my father worked at the Railroad Ranch in the early 1950s. We have put together a list of gems to get you started. While this park offers beautiful Idaho scenery and wildlife, it is also a location that housed ranchers for several decades. We’re letting you in on six hidden gems among Arkansas’s state parks, from bird sanctuaries and secluded lakes to historic landmarks and mountain overlooks. To kick off the year, the park system revealed its “hidden gems”—spots that the rangers know about, but are often unfamiliar to … If lakeside camping sounds good, try the Beaver Ponds Campground on Lake Welch. Visit this park just north of Jonesboro on Crowley’s Ridge in spring, when wild dogwoods appear to blanket the tree canopy in snow. 13 Lesser-Known State Parks In Texas That Will Absolutely Amaze You. When I first got the trail maps for Harriman State Park, it was the Timp-Torne Trail that caught my eye first, and it never disappoints. Known for its beautiful scenery and wildlife, Harriman State Park offers 22 miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails that slink through meadows, meander along river banks and through lush evergreen forests. I’ll give you the basics of how to find them, but the rest is up to you- exploring and getting lost in the process is half the fun! Kristi Parsons. Below are seven hidden gems of state parks, all beautiful and within a short drive of the Mighty 5. Luckily, there are many hidden-gem and off-the-beaten-path destinations to avoid all the crowds. Jul 4, 2016 - Just a short drive from NYC is a hidden gem within Harriman State Park. The state is neighbored by Nebraska to its … Overnight parking of your car is legal in Harriman State Park — you just need to park it in one of the legal hikers’ lots, shown on our downloadable PDF hiking trail map. Lake Frierson. 1. 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