Top state parks
State ParkAztalan State Park
State ParkWyalusing State Park
State ParkMerrick State Park
State ParkPerrot State Park
State ParkLake Kegonsa State Park
State ParkKinnickinnic State Park
State ParkRib Mountain State Park
State ParkRock Island State Park
State ParkCopper Falls State Park
State ParkMill Bluff State Park
State ParkBig Bay State Park
State ParkBig Foot Beach State Park
State Parks by county
All state parks (47)
| Name | County | Elevation | Nearest town | Sky |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aztalan State Park | Jefferson County | — | Aztalan | 5 |
| Wyalusing State Park | Grant County | — | Prairie du Chien | 3 |
| Merrick State Park | Buffalo County | — | Goodview | 3 |
| Perrot State Park | Trempealeau County | — | Trempealeau | 4 |
| Lake Kegonsa State Park | Dane County | — | McFarland | 5 |
| Kinnickinnic State Park | Pierce County | — | Afton | 5 |
| Rib Mountain State Park | Marathon County | — | Rib Mountain | 5 |
| Rock Island State Park | Door County | — | Escanaba | 1 |
| Copper Falls State Park | Ashland County | — | Ashland | 1 |
| Mill Bluff State Park | Juneau County | — | New Lisbon | 3 |
| Big Bay State Park | Ashland County | — | Washburn | 1 |
| Big Foot Beach State Park | Walworth County | — | Lake Geneva | 5 |
| Blue Mound State Park | Dane County | — | Barneveld | 4 |
| Natural Bridge State Park | Sauk County | — | Prairie du Sac | 3 |
| Brunet Island State Park | Chippewa County | — | Cornell | 2 |
| Buckhorn State Park | Adams County | — | New Lisbon | 2 |
| Whitefish Dunes State Park | Door County | — | Sturgeon Bay | 2 |
| Newport State Park | Door County | — | Menominee | 2 |
| Pattison State Park | Douglas County | — | Superior | 3 |
| Peninsula State Park | Door County | — | Menominee | 2 |
| Devil's Lake State Park | Sauk County | — | Baraboo | 4 |
| Belmont Mound State Park | Lafayette County | — | Platteville | 3 |
| Lake Wissota State Park | Chippewa County | — | Lake Wissota | 4 |
| Amnicon Falls State Park | Douglas County | — | Lake Nebagamon | 3 |
| Willow River State Park | Saint Croix County | — | North Hudson | 5 |
| Straight Lake State Park | Polk County | — | Luck | 3 |
| Copper Culture State Park | Oconto County | — | Oconto | 5 |
| Council Grounds State Park | Lincoln County | — | Merrill | 4 |
| Roche-a-Cri State Park | Adams County | — | Adams | 2 |
| Hartman Creek State Park | Waupaca County | — | King | 3 |
| Heritage Hill State Historical Park | Brown County | — | Allouez | 7 |
| High Cliff State Park | Calumet County | — | Sherwood | 5 |
| Governor Dodge State Park | Iowa County | — | Dodgeville | 3 |
| Governor Nelson State Park | Dane County | — | Maple Bluff | 6 |
| Interstate Park | Polk County | — | Taylors Falls | 4 |
| Tower Hill State Park | Iowa County | — | Spring Green | 3 |
| New Glarus Woods State Park | Green County | — | New Glarus | 4 |
| Rocky Arbor State Park | Columbia County | — | Wisconsin Dells | 4 |
| Wildcat Mountain State Park | Vernon County | — | Cashton | 2 |
| Wade House Historic Site | Sheboygan County | — | Plymouth | 4 |
| Kohler-Andrae State Park | Sheboygan County | — | Oostburg | 4 |
| Capital Springs State Recreation Area | Dane County | — | Monona | 7 |
| Lakeshore State Park | Milwaukee County | — | Milwaukee | 7 |
| Yellowstone Lake State Park | Lafayette County | — | Darlington | 3 |
| Harrington Beach State Park | Ozaukee County | — | Belgium | 4 |
| Governor Thompson State Park | Marinette County | — | Gillett | 2 |
| Nelson Dewey State Park | Grant County | — | Guttenberg | 3 |
Sky = estimated Bortle class (1 darkest – 9 brightest).
Map
How to photograph state parks
State parks often protect a signature feature — a gorge, lake or overlook — that is best in early morning before visitors and harsh light arrive.
- Check park hours: many state parks close at dusk, which affects sunset and night shooting.
- Ask rangers about photography permits for commercial work, models or drones.
- Weekday mornings are the least crowded at popular viewpoints.
- Trail maps often mark overlooks — combine them with the sun azimuth to plan.
- Day-use fees or passes are common; buy them online before arriving.
Season: Spring wildflowers and autumn color are peak seasons in most parks.