American Landscapes: Southern Parks

Mistletoe State Park Campground is located on Clarks Hill Lake, which provides loads of water-related fun. If you just need a quick place to stay the night, you can rent out one of their campsites or cabins; drift off to sleep while listening to the water lap against the lakeshore. If you have a little extra time to spend here, take in a hike through the forest, or rent a canoe for some bass fishing!

Located in the woodland beauty of the Talladega State Forest, Cheaha State Park offers hiking and some of the most stunning scenic overlooks in the country. If you stop here, make a point to take the trails to either Bunker Tower or the overlook at Bald Rock Trail. You'll also find campsites and even a hotel with private chalets for rent, if you're feeling fancy.

You can't drive past Memphis without stopping at the city's most famed attraction: Elvis Presley's Graceland. Luckily, there's a RV park and campground located within walking distance of the icon's former home. After you've explored the estate of the legendary musician, come back to the campground to swim in the pool, make use of the free Wi-Fi, or just roast some s'mores while having an Elvis sing-a-long around the campfire!

Whether you want to take it easy and stroll along the Arkansas Trail through the Arkansas Arboretum, or you'd rather take one of the two trails that ascend the peak of Pinnacle Mountain, this state park provides loads of gorgeous views. It's one of Arkansas's most popular spots for a day of hiking, and it's not hard to see why!

There's nothing more rewarding than a hike to a waterfall, and the trail 136-foot Burgess Falls in Tennessee is no exception. The waterfall for which the park is named isn't the only waterfall to be found in the state natural area, either: The Falling Water River offers several falls, which you can view from the 1.5-mile trail through the park.

West Virginia, also known as the Mountain State, is loaded with rugged, wild beauty. One place where man has managed to tame the wilderness is at the New River Gorge Bridge. At 876 feet tall and 3,000 feet long, it offers quite a view from the top. The bridge is so cool that it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places after only 36 years; most locations on the NRHP don't earn a spot until they're at least 50 years old. Either drive across the bridge and soak in the surroundings, or book a tour with the New River Gorge Bridge Walk, which takes you onto the catwalks inside its steel frame.

Chimney Rock State Park's main attraction is the magnificent, 315-foot mountain formation that gives the park its name. The 25-minute hike to the top along the Outcroppings Trail (also known as the "Ultimate Stairmaster") features 491 steps, but the effort is all worth it once you reach the peak, called Exclamation Point (so punny!). From the top you can take in the breathtaking views-- you can see 75 miles of pure Blue Ridge beauty here. The rock also hides a secret 26-story elevator inside, in case you're not up for the hike but don't want to miss the scenery.

Located on the shores of South Carolina's lovely Lake Marion, the Santee Lakes Campground is the perfect place to spend a day relaxing while exploring the natural beauty of the South. Shady sites, modern amenities, a giant pool, and a boat ramp make this an ideal spot to set up camp.

Walkabout Camp and RV Park has a super awesome location, near notable spots such as Amelia Island, Cumberland Island, and Okefenokee National Park Wildlife Refuge, among other places. Visit whatever you want during the day, and then spend the evening swimming in the pool or strolling along the trails at night before you tuck into your tent or RV for the night!

Florida is home to more than just beaches... if you head inland, you'll find a collection of freshwater springs that are perfect for swimming! Blue Spring State Park itself contains a few springs, and is a fantastic spot for canoeing, tubing, boat tours, manatee-spotting, and hiking through the forests.

Carver's Cove RV Resort is right on the Banana River, and is located a quick drive from Cocoa Beach, Disney World, Universal Studios, and tons more. Plus, if you're skilled with a rod and reel, you can catch your own dinner from their fishing pier and cook it over a campfire. If the thought of fishing doesn't reel you in, the dock is a great place to relax and take in a gorgeous Florida sunset.

Bill Baggs Cape Florida Park has all of the ingredients to be one of the state's prettiest parks: white sand, a view of Biscayne Bay, and a scenic lighthouse. Plus, it's far enough away from South Beach and Miami that it's relatively quiet compared to other beaches in the area!