8 West Coast’s Most Beautiful State Parks (That Are Just as Stunning as the National Parks)

National parks like Yosemite, Olympic, and Redwood are amazing—but they’re also packed with tourists, expensive, and hard to book in peak season.

Luckily, the West Coast is loaded with state parks that are just as stunning—without the massive crowds. If you want epic scenery, wild landscapes, and unforgettable adventures, these state parks need to be on your list.

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1. Limekiln State Park (California) – Redwoods, Waterfalls & a Hidden Beach

• Location: Big Sur, California
• Why It’s Amazing:
  • Massive redwoods + a secluded beach in one spot.
  • Limekiln Falls is a dreamy, hidden waterfall deep in the forest.
  • Much quieter than Pfeiffer Big Sur State Park.
• Best Things to Do:
  • Hike to Limekiln Falls, a gorgeous cascade tucked in a redwood canyon.
  • Walk along Limekiln Beach, a hidden coastal gem.
  • Explore historic lime kilns from the 1800s.

💡 Pro Tip: Stay overnight at the riverside campsites—they’re some of the most scenic in Big Sur.

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2. Samuel H. Boardman State Scenic Corridor (Oregon) – The Most Dramatic Coastline in the PNW

• Location: Southern Oregon Coast
• Why It’s Amazing:
  • Jaw-dropping coastal cliffs, sea stacks, and hidden beaches.
  • Way less crowded than Cannon Beach or Cape Kiwanda.
  • Short hikes with epic ocean views at every turn.
• Best Things to Do:
  • Visit Secret Beach, a stunning hidden cove.
  • Hike to Natural Bridges, one of the most photogenic spots on the West Coast.
  • Explore Arch Rock and Whaleshead Beach.

💡 Pro Tip: Go at sunrise—the morning light makes the cliffs even more dramatic.

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3. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park (California) – The Best Redwoods Without the Crowds

• Location: Northern California, near Crescent City
• Why It’s Amazing:
  • Some of the tallest trees on Earth.
  • Feels like a hidden rainforest—way less touristy than Redwood National Park.
  • Home to the famous “Boy Scout Tree” trail.
• Best Things to Do:
  • Drive Howland Hill Road, a narrow dirt road that winds through towering redwoods.
  • Hike the Boy Scout Tree Trail, one of the best redwood hikes in California.
  • Kayak the Smith River, one of the clearest rivers in the U.S.

💡 Pro Tip: Howland Hill Road isn’t paved, but any car can handle it—just take it slow!

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4. Palouse Falls State Park (Washington) – Washington’s Most Epic Waterfall

• Location: Eastern Washington
• Why It’s Amazing:
  • A 200-foot waterfall plunging into a dramatic canyon.
  • One of the best sunset photography spots in the Pacific Northwest.
  • Completely different from Washington’s usual mountain scenery.
• Best Things to Do:
  • Walk to the overlook for the best view of the falls.
  • Stay for sunset or sunrise—the golden light on the canyon walls is unreal.
  • Visit in spring when the waterfall is at full power.

💡 Pro Tip: There’s no hiking access to the base of the falls anymore—the view from the top is still epic!

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5. Ecola State Park (Oregon) – The Best Oregon Coast Views

• Location: Just north of Cannon Beach, Oregon
• Why It’s Amazing:
  • Insane views of sea stacks, cliffs, and beaches.
  • Way less crowded than Cannon Beach, but just as scenic.
  • Hiking trails lead to hidden coves and headlands.
• Best Things to Do:
  • Walk to Indian Beach, a stunning, quiet beach with tide pools.
  • Hike the Clatsop Loop Trail for a perfect ocean overlook.
  • Watch for bald eagles and migrating whales.

💡 Pro Tip: Bring a picnic—this park has some of the best scenic picnic spots in Oregon.

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6. Julia Pfeiffer Burns State Park (California) – The Most Famous Waterfall on the Coast

• Location: Big Sur, California
• Why It’s Amazing:
  • McWay Falls drops straight into the Pacific Ocean—one of the most famous sights in California.
  • A short, easy walk leads to the viewpoint.
  • No big crowds if you visit early or late in the day.
• Best Things to Do:
  • Take the short trail to the McWay Falls Overlook.
  • Hike the Ewoldsen Trail for coastal redwood scenery.
  • Catch sunset for the most magical lighting.

💡 Pro Tip: Drones are banned here—so don’t even try it!

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7. Cape Disappointment State Park (Washington) – Wild Coastal Beauty & Lighthouses

• Location: Washington Coast, near the Oregon border
• Why It’s Amazing:
  • One of the best storm-watching spots on the West Coast.
  • Two historic lighthouses with incredible views.
  • Foggy, moody coastal scenery that looks straight out of a movie.
• Best Things to Do:
  • Hike to North Head Lighthouse for a perfect ocean panorama.
  • Walk along Waikiki Beach, a small cove with dramatic waves.
  • Visit in winter for epic storms crashing against the cliffs.

💡 Pro Tip: The park is named “Cape Disappointment” because early explorers couldn’t find the Columbia River entrance—your trip won’t be disappointing!

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8. Anza-Borrego Desert State Park (California) – A Hidden Desert Wonderland

• Location: Southern California, east of San Diego
• Why It’s Amazing:
  • One of the best places in California for stargazing.
  • Spring wildflower blooms turn the desert into a colorful dream.
  • Weird rock formations, slot canyons, and hidden palm oases.
• Best Things to Do:
  • Hike to The Slot, a narrow sandstone canyon.
  • Visit in spring to see the famous desert super bloom.
  • Check out the giant metal sculptures scattered around the desert.

💡 Pro Tip: Bring a telescope or binoculars—this park has some of the darkest skies in California.

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MORE ON THE WEST COAST:

READ MORE: The Best of Oregon

READ MORE: The Best of Washington

READ MORE: The Best of California

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