These Midwest Parks Are Worth the Hike But I Know I’m Missing Some
I’ve Hiked Some Incredible Places, but My Park Bucket List Is Far From Finished
I never thought I would grow up to be someone with strong opinions about parks, but here we are.
The last week of August is a perfect excuse to appreciate some of the most peaceful and beautiful places we have, whether that means a massive national park you have to travel across the country to see or a little local park that's been hiding practically in your backyard.
And if you know me, you know I love a good hike.
I Think I Got My Love of Parks From My Mom
My love for exploring parks probably has a lot to do with my mom. She has this tradition where she tries to visit as many national and state parks as possible, and every time she checks another one off the list, she gets a sticker for her water bottle.
At this point, that water bottle is basically a travel diary.
I love the idea because no two parks are exactly the same. You can go from standing underneath gigantic red rock formations in Utah to walking through a quiet forest in Southern Illinois, and both experiences are beautiful for completely different reasons.
I've been lucky enough to visit some incredible parks across the country, and there are a few that I would go back to in a heartbeat.
Arches National Park Made Me Feel Tiny in the Best Way
If you've never been to Arches National Park in Utah, add it to your bucket list. You'll have to plan your next vacation around this park because it's in Utah but it is SO worth it.
There is something almost unreal about seeing those massive natural sandstone arches in person. Photos are beautiful, but they don't really prepare you for how huge everything feels when you're actually standing there. You'll wonder how did these red rocks form the way they did and how can you be standing/walking in the midst of them.
It's one of those places where you stop, look around and think, "How in the world did nature make this?"
And that's one of my favorite things about hiking. Sometimes the destination is incredible, but half the fun is everything you see while you're getting there.
Zion National Park Is a Completely Different Kind of Beautiful
Then there's Zion National Park in Utah, which somehow manages to feel completely different from Arches even though they're in the same state.
The towering cliffs, winding trails and views make it one of those places where you're constantly stopping to take another picture.
And yes, I'm absolutely the person who takes 75 photos of basically the same mountain because this one looks slightly different.
Those big trips are unforgettable, but some of my favorite outdoor adventures haven't required a plane ticket or a cross-country road trip.
Some of My Favorite Parks Are Much Closer to Home
Since moving to the Tri-State, I've realized just how many beautiful outdoor spaces we have within driving distance.
Southern Illinois alone has some incredible places to explore. Shawnee National Forest is one I would absolutely visit again, especially the Garden of the Gods area.
If you've never been, the rock formations and overlooks make it hard to believe you're still in Illinois.
Indiana has given me a few favorites, too.
Brown County State Park is one of them. With miles of trails and beautiful scenery, it's the kind of place where you could visit during different seasons and have a completely different experience each time.
I've also explored Hoosier National Forest and Jeffrey's Cliffs, and both deserve a spot on the list if you're looking for another excuse to lace up your hiking shoes and get outside.
Kentucky Has Some Pretty Great Options, Too
You don't even have to venture far from Evansville to find somewhere worth exploring.
John James Audubon State Park in Henderson gives us a great option right across the river. Sometimes I think we overlook places like this simply because they're so close to home.
You don't necessarily need a weeklong vacation to get outside, clear your head and find a pretty trail. However, if you did want a quick getaway vacation that isn't too far from your home, you can stay in Kentucky and explore the Pine Mountains. Or maybe it's a quick trip to Gatlinburg Tennessee and hiking in the Smoky Mountains. I treated myself to a little getaway a couple months ago and I would love to go back soon.
And that's exactly why my park bucket list keeps getting longer.
The Parks Still on My Bucket List
There are plenty of places around Indiana, Illinois and Kentucky that I haven't made it to yet and some of these have been sitting on my list for way too long.
Turkey Run State Park in Indiana is high on the list. The sandstone ravines, ladders and rugged trails look like exactly the kind of hike I would love.
Then there's Indiana Dunes State Park, because hiking with views of Lake Michigan sounds like a pretty good combination to me.
Over in Illinois, I still need to make trips to Matthiessen State Park and Starved Rock State Park. Both have the waterfalls, canyons and trails that immediately make me want to grab my hiking shoes.
And Kentucky might have two of the biggest must-visits on my list: Mammoth Cave National Park and Cumberland Falls State Resort Park.
Mammoth Cave has been on my radar for obvious reasons exploring the world's longest known cave system sounds pretty hard to pass up while Cumberland Falls is home to the famous waterfall and its rare moonbow.
Now I Need You to Add to My List
The problem with becoming a park person is that the bucket list never actually gets shorter.
Every time I check one off, somebody tells me about two more places I need to see.
So, Tri-State hikers, this is where I need your help. What am I missing?
If there's a state park, national park, forest, nature preserve or hidden hiking spot in Indiana, Kentucky or Illinois that you think deserves a spot on my list, let me know.
And maybe I'll have to steal my mom's idea and start adding stickers to my own water bottle.
Evansville Neighborhood Blooming with Nature Scenes
Gallery Credit: Susan Lutz Tromley
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