The Best National Park Services in Each State

April is the perfect month to get out in nature-spring has sprung, the flowers are blooming and there's a revitalization occurring as animals come out of winter hibernation. It's also the perfect time to celebrate nature as April 22 is Earth Day and National Park Week is April 18-26. Now more than ever it seems as though we need our national parks, preserves, historic sites, monuments and memorials as a place for people to reconnect to nature. Whether you plan on camping or just taking pictures, here is the best national or state park service in your area.

Located in Fort Payne, Alabama is the Little River Canyon National Preserve, sitting atop part of Lookout Mountain with the Little River flowing over it. Great for hiking, seeing waterfalls or just having a picnic, the Little River Canyon National Preserve is the perfect place to unwind.

While it may seem that the entire state should just be a national park or preserve, it's Denali National Park that we think is the ultimate showstopper. The park is highly ranked on many bucket lists, thus causing there to be an annual Road Lottery where only a select number of people get the opportunity to drive through the park. For an easier way to check things out, hop aboard the Alaska Railroad and enjoy views on the Denali Star Train from Anchorage to Talkeetna and Fairbanks.

It's hard to pick any other park in Arizona when one of the Seven Natural Wonders is located here-and what a sight to behold. Created by water erosion from the Colorado River, the Grand Canyon is a natural playground with hiking trails and river rafting.

Thermal hot springs have been popular throughout history and have always created a natural draw for people. Whether you're looking for rejuvenation, relaxation or just a stroll through nature, Hot Springs National Park is the ideal reprieve.

Located off Ventura, California sits five extraordinary islands-the Channel Islands-that have their own distinctive flora and fauna thanks to thousands of years of separation from the mainland. See bald eagles through the webcams set up, take a virtual visit of the area through live broadcasts and even hear about current research being conducting in the park, all through the park's website.

Although not solely contained within the Centennial State, Dinosaur National Monument in Colorado and Utah gives visitors a step back into prehistoric times, allowing visitors to see dinosaur remains embedded within the rock.

Located in Ridgefield and Wilton, Connecticut, Weir Farm is an artist's dream. Home of artist J. Alden Weir, this national historic site is a legacy to American Impressionism.

First State National Historical Park honors Delaware for being the first state to ratify the Constitution. The park is actually broken up into seven sites located throughout the state, including Old Swedes Church, the New Castle Court House Museum, the John Dickinson Plantation and more.

It's a bit of an oxymoron since Dry Tortugas is mainly open ocean, but this picturesque park is made up of small islands, Fort Jefferson, coral reefs and crystal-clear water about 70 miles west of Key West.

This prehistoric American Indian site is unique and dates back to the Paleo-Indian period. For thousands of years, this area has been occupied and used by multiple cultures. Visitors can walk around and learn about the history of the site.

Two of the world's most active volcanoes are located on the Big Island of Hawaii, Kilauea and Mauna Loa, and they make up the Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. Here visitors can see an otherworldly landscape shaped by the mountains.

Another national monument with fossil remains, archeologists have unearthed a variety of fossils at Hagerman Fossil Beds in Hagerman, Idaho, from the one-toed horse to the ground sloth to even a saber-toothed cat and mastodon. Visitors can even become a Junior Ranger and earn a Junior Paleontologist during one of the park's 'porch programs.'

Our sixteenth president resided in Springfield, Illinois before making his move to our nation's capital. His former home is the only house he ever owned and is still, to this day, preserved as a national historic site, with free guided tours. However, tickets are required and are given out on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Located in Porter, Indiana, this national park is 15,000 acres of pure beauty. Walk along beaches of Lake Michigan or hike along 50 miles of trails.

The Effigy Mounds in Harpers Ferry, Iowa are a sacred site for many American Indian tribes. There are over two hundred mounds in this park of varying shapes and sizes, including some animal-shaped mounds.

For anyone who grew up playing Oregon Trail as a kid or reading 'Little House on the Prairie,' the Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve is for you. It's easy to imagine a covered wagon making its way West through this tall grass. Unfortunately, less than four percent of the prairie remains, with most of it located within this national preserve.

Not only does Mammoth Cave have plenty of hiking trails above ground, but there are also almost a dozen miles of subterranean trails through the caves below. Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system in the world with over 400 miles of interconnected caves.

Louisiana is a unique state with a culture all its own-Creole. Along the Cane River, visitors can tour two of the most intact cotton plantations-the Oakland and Magnolia Plantations-left in the region.

The Appalachian Trail spans all the way from Georgia to Maine through fourteen states. For those that want to hike the entire 2,200 miles, the end of the trail in Maine remains the sweetest victory of all.

This is a fairly new park in Cambridge, Maryland and was only established in 2013, but the site commemorates the feats of an amazing woman who saved so many lives by helping them to freedom in the north. Here visitors can see a film about Harriet Tubman's trials and life accomplishments or traverse along similar terrain where she journeyed.

Boston, Massachusetts is a hotbed of American history. The site of the first major battle for the American Revolutionary War, as well as many significant buildings, Boston can sometimes be a little overwhelming if you're trying to see all the notable landmarks in one trip. Luckily, the National Park Service has created a mobile app that helps guide you through the historical park with maps, tours and more.

It only makes sense that the "Great Lake State" would have a national lakeshore-Pictured Rocks. Located on Lake Superior, Pictured Rocks is a beautiful escape in the summer or winter. Visitors can go kayaking, camping, cross-country skiing, hiking and even take a boat tour to the famed cliffs of the area.

In the "Land of 10,000 Lakes," Voyageurs National Park is actually more water than it is land. With a series of interconnected waterways, visitors can bring their own watercraft, rent from the park service or go on a boat tour with a park ranger. Guests will even have the chance to see the Northern Lights on occasion in the park.

Classified as a National Military Park, Vicksburg is thought of as a decisive battle in the Civil War. Civil War enthusiasts can travel with the American Queen Steamboat Company on their tour from Memphis to Chattanooga, but for a stop in Vicksburg, you'll need to travel on their new 'Taste of Mardi Gras' itinerary which runs from New Orleans to Memphis.

One of the most iconic sites in the state, the Gateway Arch symbolizes westward expansion. St. Louis is seen as one of the main 'jumping off points' for the Oregon Trail, and it was here that many stocked up on supplies before heading out West.

Located in Northwest Montana, Glacier National Park is arguable one of the nation's most beautiful landscapes. Hikers have over 700 miles of trails, vacationers have the option of staying in rustic accommodations, and passersby get a truly magnificent experience by driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road.

A landmark for many who traveled through Mitchell Pass on the California, Mormon or Oregon Trails, Scotts Bluff towers over the North Platte River at 800 feet. Hike the North Overlook Trail for magnificent views.

A beautiful and stark landscape, Death Valley National Park records some of the hottest temperatures and driest summers on record in the United States. There are plenty of hiking trails to choose from here, and you're sure to get magnificent views of the night sky while camping.

Once the home of sculptor August Saint-Gaudens, the house and grounds are now open to the public as a national historic park. Bronze statues still reside on the property, and there are peaceful trails meandering through the woods. Maybe you'll even get inspired here.

While most people think of Ellis Island as part of New York, the majority of the island is actually considered part of New Jersey. It was here that millions of migrants entered the United States. Now part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument, visitors can learn about the history of the island and hear the stories of those that passed through the island on their way to a better life.

This limestone geological marvel offers double the adventure with places to explore both above and below ground. There are over 100 underground caves to discover, hiking trails and even an evening showing of hundreds of bats that fill the darkening sky.

A national heritage area that stretches from the mouth of the Niagara River and includes towns like Niagara Falls, Youngstown and Lewiston, Niagara Falls National Heritage Area, of course, also includes the waterfalls. One of the seven natural wonders of the world, the area is looking to more sustainable options for tourists to visit.

The Great Smoky Mountains almost follow the border between North Carolina and Tennessee. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, the Great Smoky Mountains are America's most visited national park and with so much to do, it's no wonder why.

It was here that Theodore Roosevelt really fell in love with nature and helped to mold his conservation policies. Even if you're unable to visit this park in person, the park offers virtual learning opportunities and a webcam to view Painted Canyon at any time.

Really two parks in one-a national heritage area and a national historical park-Dayton, Ohio was the first home to the Wright Brothers and Paul Laurence Dunbar. It was here they fostered their creativity and drew inspiration for their flying contraptions.

Located in Sulphur, Oklahoma, Chickasaw Recreation Area boasts the perfect area for water activities and even a chance to see 'Little Niagara.'

Formed by a volcano, Crater Lake sits atop the Cascade Mountain Range and offers year-round activities and stunning views of the pristine lake.

A national military park, Gettysburg signifies the turning point in the Civil War, but it was also the war's bloodiest battle. It was here that Abraham Lincoln drew inspiration for his famed address.

The founder of the state, Roger Williams is credited with establishing Providence and the ideal of religious freedom for all. This national memorial commemorates the life of Roger Williams and includes the Antram-Gray House, Hahn Memorial and more to explore.

The merging of the Congaree and Wateree Rivers create a floodplain near Hopkins, South Carolina and nourish the outlying land. It is here that remains the largest intact stretch of bottomland hardwood forest throughout the southeast. Visitors are welcome to go canoeing, hiking, camping and more in this national park.

Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Mount Rushmore is an iconic United States landmark most Americans have on their bucket list. Craved into the mountainside are the faces of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt and Abraham Lincoln.

The Manhattan Project National Historical Park is located in New Mexico, Washington and Tennessee. It was in Oak Ridge, Tennessee that more than 75,000 people came together to produce uranium and plutonium for the atomic bomb. A three-hour tour of the facility allows visitors to see the x-10 graphite reactor, national laboratory and more.

Whether you want to hike the trails through the Guadalupe Mountains or paint the landscape in a Bob Ross certified class, the Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Salt Flat, Texas is really a site to behold.

Utah is full of popular national parks, but Arches National Park may just be the most popular. If you're looking for some less traveled alternatives in the area, check out these options.

Perfect for winter outdoor activities, Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park has plenty of cross-country ski and snowshoe trails.

Colonial National Park located in Jamestown and Yorktown, Virginia symbolizes the birthplace of the United States-Jamestown as the first permanent English settlement and Yorktown as the location of the final battle where American and French troops finally defeated the British.

A multiple of landscapes and ecosystems all within one national park, Olympic National Park in Port Angeles, Washington consists of glacier-topped mountains, temperate rainforests and miles of Pacific Northwest coastline.

The New River is a national river that flows in Southern West Virginia with plenty of water activities, a self-guided African American Heritage Tour, curated programs and even Camp Brookside that encourages environmental education.

The Ice Age National Scenic Trail follows the edge of a glacier for 1,200 miles that once covered much of North America.

Known as the home for the iconic Old Faithful geyser, Yellowstone National Park has a digital guide to help visitors, webcams to view the park even when you can't physically visit and even a virtual tour to help plan your next visit.