State Parks

Devil's Lake State Park rises above a glacial lake ringed by ancient quartzite bluffs in the Baraboo Hills of south-central Wisconsin. Families find swimming beaches, miles of kid-friendly trails, and some of the most dramatic scenery in the entire Midwest, all in one well-run park.

Hocking Hills State Park in southeastern Ohio rewards families with ancient sandstone caves, thundering waterfalls, and shaded gorge trails short enough for young legs. Old Man's Cave, Ash Cave, and Cedar Falls are the headliners, each one dramatic enough to make every kid feel like a genuine explorer.

Itasca State Park is where the mighty Mississippi begins as a clear, knee-deep stream you can wade across on stepping stones. Old-growth pines, a swimmer-friendly lake, and easy trails make it one of Minnesota's most rewarding family destinations.

Starved Rock State Park packs eighteen sandstone canyons, thundering waterfalls, and one of the Midwest's best bald eagle gatherings into a compact stretch of the Illinois River valley. It is the kind of place where a short walk drops a family into a cathedral of moss-covered walls and trickling cascades that feel nothing like the flat prairie just miles away.

Turkey Run State Park in west-central Indiana trades flat cornfields for something altogether different: deep sandstone ravines, ladder-assisted trail descents, and creek crossings that make every hike feel like a genuine expedition. Families with kids who are ready to scramble will find some of the most memorable trail miles in the Midwest right here.