RE: You re favorite State Parks

[JemJen24]

 
I d love to see what your favorite State Park is and why.  Please list only ONE and give some details.
 
 This should be interresting.
 
 J.

[springer02]

 JemJen24
That s easy -- Douthat State Park here in beautiful Virginia.  The sites are spacious and not right on top of the next one, the hiking, fishing and beach all are great, the bathrooms are clean, last years  camp host was wonderful and it s not too far from home.
 
 I hope this years  Mothers Day gift is a weekend there!
 
 Tena

[tlhdoc]

 JemJen24
My favorite state park is RB Winter SP in PA.  It only has 60 campsites and some are fairly private.  One of the best features about the park is the bathroom.  It is a stone building with auto sinks and toilets.  The showers are warm and there is a family access bathroom where you can go in with your kids or an adult that needs help.  There is fishing and swimming in the spring fed (cold) lake and hiking/horse back riding trails.  They also have a very nice nature center.

[MommaMia]

 JemJen24
Lake Waramaug SP in CT.
 
 We love it because it s close to home so we can go there often, the sites are nice, lightly wooded and roomy.  The lake is right there with a nice little beach, concession stand and boat rentals.  There are miles of hiking trails.  It s a quiet campground with mostly family campers.

[Starryart]

 JemJen24
[] We love Lake Texana SP near Edna TX! Why?
 It was the first park we ever camped in,
 it is 30 minutes from home so it is great for short weekend trips,
 it has huge oak and pecan trees-lots of shade for hot TX weather,
 half the campsites are on the lake shore,
 campsites are wide and apart -most with trees and bushes in between,
 restrooms and showers are kept very clean (A must!),
 you can rent canoes and there is a boat launch,
 3 large piers for fishing,
 a great nature trail,
 an ampitheater and nature center for ranger talks, exhibits,and  demos,
 and we ve made great friends with the rangers! (We are regulars after all, LOL )
 Check it out , I  m sure you ll have a great time []
 http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/laketexa/

[67_Skamper]

 JemJen24
Pine Lake State Park, Eldora, Iowa
 
 There are lots of bike trails - thru the park and all the way between the towns of Eldora and Steamboat Rock.
 Movies in Eldora are only $1.00
 You can float the Iowa river, or swim the lakes, there are boat/canoe/paddle boat rentals.
 Lots of family fun.
 
 Here is the link to the park. http://www.state.ia.us/parks/pinelake.htm
 

[garym053]

 JemJen24
Only ONE? That s pretty tough to do! Can I answer twice?
 I guess I d have to say Umbagog Lake State Park in New Hampshire. The sites are good. Many have power and water, which is unusual for state parks we visit. The scenery is great, and the wildlife viewing is superb! We head out from our sites in our kayaks about 6 am and always see Moose! Some are so deep in the water grazing that all you see is their shoulders and you think it s a rock when all of a sudden the " rock"  has a head and EARS! There are also at least two pair of nesting Bald Eagles, Many Osprey and 50 or 75 Loons!
 For those who like camping in the wild, there are remote sites scattered around the 7800 acre lake. We camp there at least two times a year!

[Gone-Camping]

 JemJen24
Is that only one per state? Or just One only?
 
 If I have to choose just one park from all the state s that I ve been to, then it would have to be [link=http://www.gonecamping.net/reviews/newengland/coolidge_sp.html]Coolidge State Park[/link] in Plymouth Notch Vermont.... Details and pictures are in the link! This place is simply awesome!!

[Redwolf]

 JemJen24
Inks Lake SP, TX -
 
 [ul]
 

• It s close, 45 minutes away and on our side of Austin...don t have to drive through rush hour traffic to get there.
• It s got big sites, lightly wooded sites.
• Plenty to do - lake to kayak and fish on, roads to bicycle on.
[/ul]
 
 
 

[Trlrboy]

 JemJen24
DeGray Lake State Park in Arkansas.  Campsites are all wooded with good separation between the sites.  The bathrooms are always clean and the water is hot.  The lake has crystal clear water and the swimming beach is clean with lots of picnic tables nearby.  Although the trails are limited they are nicely laid out and run through the woods and along the lakeshore.  The park has a restaurant in the lodge that serves unique food and has a gift shop with lots to select from.  There is a marina to rent boats and jet skis.  Did I mention there is an 18 hole golf course that is one of the best in the state.  The surrounding area has a lot to do from antique stores to tubing rivers to Hot Springs NP that is 20 miles down the road.  Only 4 hours from home, we go to DeGray Lake at least twice a year.

[tahoecampers]

 JemJen24
We like General Creek Campground at Sugar Pine PT SP at Lake Tahoe, Ca. But usually only in the off season. It gets really crowded during the monthes of July and and Aug., as do most state parks in California.  Its only about 20 minutes from our house, minutes from the Lake, lots of hiking and biking trails and wonderful showers!!

[hbfc6]

 JemJen24
Custer State Park South Dakota, Lecthworth State Park New York, Franconia Notch  NH,Porqupine Mt -Michigan Up, Silver Lake Michigan.Bennet Springs Mo. Hickory Run, Lackawana and Promished Land- Pa.

[rednekrubbrduck]

 JemJen24
Hillsdale Lake SP.  It s close (20 minute drive), doesn t take reservations (the other ones we came to were usually booked 6 mos in advance, and there was a huge line for the first come first serve sites that it s close to impossible to get one, great fishing, lots of old growth shade trees, the one loop we stay at..the camp host stays in a Pop-Up.  I could go on and on about the trails and boating..but you get the idea.

[Trlrboy]

 JemJen24
HBFC6:  Bravo on your choice for Promised Land SP in PA.  I ve probably been there more than 100 times growing up as a kid.  Great choice.

[Bearnkat]

 JemJen24
Hi Jernnifer,
 
 []You know our answer, Daingerfield State Park in the piney woods of East Texas. As we ve mentioned to you before, DW and I call it our " little bit of heaven on earth."
 
 Reasons:
 
 [ul]
 

• It s a small park with great campsites.
• Awesome spring fed lake for swimming.
• One of the best run, cleanest parks in the Texas State Park system
• Beautiful foliage all around you
[/ul]
 
 C & T