KENTUCKY
John James Audubon State Park in Henderson (270-826-2247). Take a tour of the John James Audubon Memorial Museum to see paintings, bird displays and memorabilia of the park's namesake, who was a town resident for nine years. Outside, in the park's 697 rolling acres, you can hike, golf, play tennis, fish or just loll about in a one-bedroom, fully equipped rental cottage. If you can't leave home without your pet, don't worry since this park has trails designed for pets. Make sure to call ahead for some of the activities available since there are seasonal activities and classes with an art educator and naturalist for children and adults.
MARYLAND
Patapsco Valley State Park in Ellicott City (410-461-5005). Located just 20 minutes from Baltimore, this 14,000-acre park follows the Patapsco River for a 32-mile stretch. Children won't run out of things to do here, whether at the new two-acre playground or in a variety of adventure programs that feature tubing, canoeing and overnights.
MISSISSIPPI
Clarkco State Park in Quitman (601-776-6651). Almost two-thirds of this park's 815 acres are rolling hills with sandy soil and forests. The rest is Clarkco Lake, which is stocked with catfish, bream and Florida bass. Landlubbers can track down two of Mississippi's largest oak trees or spend the night at one of the 23 lakeside cabins or one of the 43 campgrounds.
OKLAHOMA
Sequoyah State Park in Hulbert (918-772-2046). No flashlights are allowed on this 2,853-acre park's night hike, where kid visitors learn to use all their senses calling for owls and looking for bats swooping overhead. During your stay here, you can ride horseback, hit the golf course or go hiking (expect to see a few of the park's many white-tailed deer along the way). Reserve ahead for your spot at the RV and camping sites.
PENNSYLVANIA
Presque Isle State Park in Erie (814-833-7424). Admiral Perry once wintered his fleet in Misery Bay, off of Presque Isle's 3,200 acres. Nowadays, the day-use park is better known for its summertime offerings: lifeguarded beaches, hiking paths, free pontoon rides and a trail for biking or in-line skating.
SOUTH CAROLINA
Table Rock State Park in Pickens (864-878-9813). At this 3,165-acre park, you can see The Stool, so named because Native Americans believed the flat-topped mountain was where the Great Spirit dined. Seventeen miles of trails, 38-acre Lake Pinnacle (you can rent canoes), Civilian Conservation Corps-built cabins and 100 campsites also help make this the most popular park in the state.
SOUTH DAKOTA
Angostura State Recreation Area in Hot Springs (605-745-6996). Campers can hear the haunting sound of coyotes howling at night in this 1,500-acre park on the edge of the Black Hills. Rent houseboats or canoes to get out on Lake Angostura, where the fishing is sublime. Perch, bass and walleye all swim its waters. Visitors can also hike through the ponderosa pine forests (keep your eyes peeled for fox and wild turkey).
WEST VIRGINIA
Watoga State Park in Marlinton (304-799-4087). As the largest park in the state, Watoga packs activities into its 10,150 acres, from fishing in Killbuck Lake to a weekly Saturday night softball game near the campground. More than 40 miles of hiking trails take you through wooded mountains, streams and valleys, while the 75-mile Greenbriar River Trail, a converted railroad grade, is right for cyclers of all ages.
Please keep in mind that phone numbers, addresses, and prices are subject to change. Originally published in June 1996. Updated April 2004.
