What Other Locations are Like These?

[DrRoy]

So, I am a huge fan of our national parks, and the wonderful landscapes, scenery, and natural formations that they preserve for us all to enjoy. However, many of the parks are out west, and as a resident of Michigan, to explore them at length, it takes a fairly extended trip to get there and see all of the sights. While I have been working on doing that, and will continue to do so, I am also interested in smaller, less distant locations with similar features that I can visit and enjoy on a shorter trip.

For example, I have also been to Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio, Watkins Glen SP in NY, and Pictured Rocks in the UP of MI. The features that I seek are waterfalls, open caves, small stone valleys, and rock formations. I am working on identifying other, similar locations to visit over time. So far I have added:

Rickets Glen SP, PA
McCormicks Creek SP, IN
Matthiessen SP, IL
Starved Rock SP, IL
Rocks SP, MD
Letchworth SP, NY
Cuyahoga Valley SP, OH

What other similar locations can you suggest, within a day's drive or so from Detroit?

Below is a view from Watkins Glen as an example. Thanks.

[Out of Steam]

Blackwater Falls SP, West Virginia.

[Ronstar]

Great photo of Watkins Glen! Have you been to Palms Book State Park in Manistique, Mi? No caves or waterfalls that I saw, but the water clarity and color are awesome.

I frequent Starved Rock and Matthiessen in Illinois. I see them on your list, and I don't know if you have been to these yet, but the waterfalls at these parks are only present in the spring, dry in summer and fall, and frozen in winter. Here's a spring shot of Lasalle Canyon in Starved Rock.

[Gumby]

Natural Bridge State Park, just outside Lexington, KY.

[MRG]

I have been through both Watkins Glen and Rickets Glen. Both awesome. We hiked Rickets in the middle of Winter so it was very unique.


Check out a place called the Haystacks off of the Loyalsock Trail. It's been a long time but it was a beautiful place.

ETA: Think Buttermilk falls near Ithicia might be worth checking out.

[Marita40]

Split Rock State Park, in northern MN, is gorgeous. And then, of course, there is the Boundary Waters/Quetico.

[poorcarver]

Harmonie and Turkey Run State Parks in Indiana.

[travelover]

Quote:

Originally Posted by poorcarver Harmonie and Turkey Run State Parks in Indiana.

Another Detroiter here and recommend Turkey Run and Brown County State Parks.

[HFWR]

Quote:

Originally Posted by travelover Another Detroiter here and recommend Turkey Run and Brown County State Parks.

Also Clifty Falls in Madison.

[savory]

Born in D. Pictured Rocks is one of my favorite hikes. I am sure you have considered Isle Royal. Perhaps the WI Dell area would be an option? Avoid the tourist stuff. You can take the Lake Express ferry from Muskegan which will help you avoid Chicago traffic and it is a nice ride. If you elect to do this, be sure to check the ferry schedule since it is seasonal.

[Svensk Anga]

If you like falls, you should have Tahquamenon Falls in Michigan's UP on your list. 2nd largest east of the Mississippi.

[braumeister]

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness, western UP.
Several nice waterfalls in the Porkies.

[Mr._Graybeard]

Also in the UP: Laughing Whitefish Falls and the Rock River Falls in the Rock River Wilderness. Both are about 20 miles west of Munising.

In Wisconsin, you might like Copper Falls State Park near Ashland and Potato River Falls near Hurley. There are several in the Niagara/Iron Mountain area as well.

[imoldernu]

We live about 15 minutes from Starved Rock State Park, in IL and go there often, but our favorite place to be was always the Adirondack State Forest.

Six million acres of mixed public and state lands a variety of opportunities for enjoyment of the Forest Preserve, including hiking, camping, canoeing, hunting, fishing, trapping, snowmobiling, skiing, mountain biking, and rock climbing. Eighteen hundred miles of marked trails and many, many pristine lakes. It's bigger than Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Grand Canyon and the Great Smokies National Parks combined - the Adirondack Park contains the largest protected wilderness area east of the Mississippi.

Not a one day trip by any means, but a place for a long term love affair. Brings back memories of 15 years of camping, canoeing and mountain climbing with my wife, my kids, and for 7 years, with my Boy Scout Troop, and Church youth group. It was a short two hour trip from our Saratoga Springs home to the heart of the mountains in Lake Placid. We were there during the 1980 Winter Olympics, and most of the venues for skiing, bobsled, skating and other games, are still there and being used. Have been totally lost in the forest more than once, and have portaged into small lakes and ponds where there is no easy access.

Know that this isn't everyone's destination, but a week spent in the Adirondacks would be unforgettable.

[TGL405]

If you are coming to PA you should visit:

1.Elk country visitors center near the small town of Benezette (Pa's elk viewing area-mid/late September)

2.Gettysburg

3. Many state parks offer exceptional scenic beauty.

[Teacher Terry]

Letchworth State Park (the grand canyon of the East) in NY.

[DrRoy]

Thanks, all. I now have about triple the list that I started with. To kick things off, DW wants to pop out to Starved Rock and Matthiessen as soon as possible.

[Maenad]

Awesome thread! This is the kind of stuff DH and I want to do in retirement too. I'll be bookmarking this one for the future.