Want a Cheap Late Winter Vacation?
Consider your options at a State Park
Usually overlooked by tourists - state parks can offer the best in local sights, activities and often reasonable lodging options.
With mid winter and spring breaks looming many people are looking for a getaway that won't break the budget.
Often a state park can provide the ready answer.
All 50 states have their own park service, not to be confused with the National Park Service, although they are sometimes located close to each other.
Here are just some located in the SE and why you should consider them. Please remember camping can be seasonal. For more northern states -camping may not be offered during the winter months. Further south - especially in Florida they might close during the summer and fall. Also many take advance reservations during the busier months.
Have fun, and don’t forget the marshmallows for s’mores!
ALABAMA
Cathedral Caverns State Park
Location: between Grant and Woodsville
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: Cavern tours
ARKANSAS
Queen Wilhelmina State Park
Location: near AK/OK border
Camping and/or Cottages: yes
Highlights: Mountain top scenic drives and hikes
DELAWARE
Brandywine Creek State Park
Location: Close to all museums of the Brandywine Valley - like Winterthur
Camping and/or Cottages: None. Suggest looking at area accommodations in DE and PA
Highlights: Dick golfing/cross country skiing/sledding/indoor wildlife viewing area
FLORIDA
Curry Hammock State Park
Location: Marathon (on the Keys)
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: Kayaking/Snorkeling/Birding
GEORGIA
FDR State Park
Location: near Warm Springs and Callaway Gardens
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: Tree climbing/ FDR history/bluegrass music
KENTUCKY
Natural Bridge State Park
Location: Between Morehead and Berea
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes (resort too)
Highlights: Natural sandstone arch/stone cliffs
Ft Boonesboro State Park
Location: near Lexington
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: Kentucky River/ Daniel Boone history
LOUISIANA
Special Note: Show your receipt from camping at a LA SP and receive free entrance to many of the state’s historical sites for 30 days
Audubon State Park
Location: north of Baton Rouge
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: Birds/John James Audubon history
Lake Fausse Pointe State Park
Location: St. Marysville
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: Native American/Spanish/Cajun history
MARYLAND
Assateague State Park
Location: a barrier island south of Ocean City
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: Feral deer and horses (ponies)
MISSISSIPPI
Natchez State Park
Location: near Natchez
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: Bass fishing/Hunting
NORTH CAROLINA
http://ils.unc.edu/parkproject/main/visit.html
Mount Mitchell State Park
Location: near Asheville
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: 1-mile high/horseback riding/hiking
OKLAHOMA
Tenkiller State Park
Location: Eastern OK
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: Limestone cliffs/underwater scuba park
SOUTH CAROLINA
Myrtle Beach State Park
Location: Myrtle Beach
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: Beach/Pier/Educational Studies
TENNESSEE
www.state.tn.us/environment/
Cedars of Lebanon State Park
Location: near Nashville
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: Hiking
TEXAS
Guadalupe State Park
Location: near New Braunsfels (Hill Country)
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: River rafting/tubing/horseback riding
VIRGINIA
Pocahontas State Park
Location: near Richmond
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: hiking/horseback riding/summer concerts
WEST VIRGINIA
Berkeley Springs State Park
Location: near Berkeley Springs
Camping and/or Cottages: Yes
Highlights: Mineral springs and spa
Remember the chocolate bar and graham crackers too for the s'mores!
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