These Are the Top 10 Trending U.S. State Parks, According to Google

"If an image of a narrow, layered rock canyon cut by a river and waterfalls is floating around in your head, chances are you've seen a photo of Watkins Glen State Park in New York's Finger Lakes. The famed gorge packs in 19 waterfalls along a two-mile trail, framed by 200-foot cliffs that are topped with lush vegetation. But the park isn't just stunning-it's trending, too."

"Watkins Glen State Park ranks No. 1 on Google Maps' top trending state parks list. For the rankings, "trending" was defined as searches that saw the biggest year-over-year increase in traffic between Jan. 1 and Nov. 25, 2025, according to Google's methodology. Watkins Glen State Park is not new; in fact, it opened to the public in 1863 and has been a public park since 1906."

Watkins Glen State Park led Google Maps' top trending state parks for 2025 based on year-over-year search increases from Jan. 1 to Nov. 25, 2025. The park features a narrow gorge with nineteen waterfalls along a two-mile trail and 200-foot cliffs topped with lush vegetation. Watkins Glen opened to the public in 1863 and has been a public park since 1906, and recent renewed interest stems from visitors drawn to its dramatic landscapes and hiking paths. Valley of Fire State Park ranked second for its red, wave-like sandstone formations, and Liberty State Park ranked third with Manhattan and Statue of Liberty views.

Read at Travel + Leisure