These Incredible State Parks Prove You Have No Idea What the U.S. Looks Like

Iowa? Cornfields. Colorado? Rockies. Vermont? Sugar maples. You know the drill. But apparently, nature didn’t get the memo about what every state is stereotypically supposed to look like. She’s never been much for blanket, one-size-fits-all thinking.

Nature, not borders, calls the landscape shots. Which is why you might round a bend in Buckeye country and suddenly feel transported to Narnia, or stumble across high-north badlands and deserts when you’re expecting snowy peaks. The below state parks are waiting to completely challenge your preconceived notions about US geography.

And once you see them, you’ll likely catch yourself wondering: What else might be out there?