HomeToGo, the marketplace with the world’s largest selection of vacation rentals, released its 2025 State Park Index, ranking the best destinations for nature-forward getaways for the remainder of the year.
After trekking through mountains of internal data, including exclusive pricing statistics and search demand insights, the marketplace then analyzed external research, such as park acreage, the number of trails, wildlife diversity, and scenic appeal, to rank the top 100 state parks for great value breaks based on the factors most important to nature enthusiasts.
“Our 2025 Travel Forecast found that one-third of Americans want to explore nature’s wonders this year, with many also prioritizing affordability and avoiding overcrowded spots,” said Eleanor Moody, HomeToGo Spokesperson and Travel Expert.* “This year’s State Park Index highlights 100 incredible destinations, showcasing just how many beautiful parks are tucked away across the United States. From the Midwest and Northeast topping the charts to a strong presence of Southern parks throughout the full list, this ranking is a go-to guide for scenic, budget-friendly escapes.”
The State Park Index assigns each park a total score based on scores across the following six indicators:
● Affordability Score: The lower the median nightly per-person vacation accommodation price via HomeToGo, the higher the score.
● Hidden Gem Score: The lower the search volume via HomeToGo, the higher the score.
● Size Score: The larger the state park, the higher the score.
● Trails Score: The more trails, the higher the score.
● Wildlife Score: The more observed wildlife species, the higher the score.
● Scenic Score: The more photographs taken at each state park, the higher the score.
|
Rank |
Location |
State |
Median Price Per Night |
Affordability Score |
Hidden Gem Score |
Size Score |
Trails Score |
Wildlife Score |
Scenic Score |
Total Score |
|
#1 |
Ohiopyle State Park |
PA |
$65.81 |
6.74 |
8.97 |
9.86 |
7.95 |
10.00 |
9.59 |
53.11 |
|
#2 |
Pocahontas State Park |
VA |
$60.84 |
7.14 |
9.91 |
9.46 |
8.21 |
8.44 |
9.41 |
52.57 |
|
#3 |
Franconia Notch State Park |
NH |
$50.08 |
7.98 |
8.53 |
9.41 |
9.36 |
7.59 |
9.69 |
52.56 |
|
#4 |
DeSoto State Park |
AL |
$47.85 |
8.16 |
7.97 |
9.08 |
6.67 |
9.96 |
9.13 |
50.97 |
|
#5 |
Hueston Woods State Park |
OH |
$71.37 |
6.31 |
9.48 |
9.13 |
7.05 |
9.64 |
8.81 |
50.42 |
|
#6 |
Patapsco Valley State Park |
MD |
$81.32 |
5.53 |
9.78 |
9.67 |
10.00 |
5.69 |
9.52 |
50.19 |
|
#7 |
Starved Rock State Park |
IL |
$51.48 |
7.87 |
6.25 |
9.25 |
7.31 |
9.18 |
9.90 |
49.76 |
|
#8 |
Garner State Park |
TX |
$65.96 |
6.73 |
8.84 |
7.63 |
7.05 |
9.59 |
9.62 |
49.46 |
|
#9 |
Fall Creek Falls State Park |
TN |
$65.93 |
6.74 |
6.94 |
9.95 |
6.92 |
9.37 |
9.32 |
49.24 |
|
#10 |
Turkey Run State Park |
IN |
$59.28 |
7.26 |
9.05 |
9.15 |
6.67 |
7.57 |
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