The Wonders of America's State Parks

Watch The Wonders of America's State Parks

  • 2019
  • 1 Season

The Wonders of America's State Parks is an enthralling exploration into the beauty and diversity of America's natural landscapes, filmed in stunning high-definition cinematography. The show is presented by Joe Yogerst, a veteran travel writer, photographer, and adventurer who has traveled extensively across the globe documenting the world's greatest wildlife, cultures and national parks.

The series takes viewers on a breathtaking journey through America's state parks, featuring awe-inspiring landscapes, towering mountains, cascading waterfalls, rugged coastlines, and serene forests. From the majestic peaks of Montana's Glacier National Park to the crystal-clear waters of Florida's Blue Spring State Park, Yogerst explores the wonders that each state park has to offer and tells the story of how they came to be protected for future generations to enjoy.

Each episode of The Wonders of America's State Parks offers an in-depth look at the unique features and history of each park, providing interesting and informative details about the park's geography, flora, fauna, and cultural heritage. Through informative narration and captivating visuals, viewers gain a deep understanding of how the natural world has shaped and continues to shape the cultural identity and values of the people who call each park home.

With more than 10,000 state parks across the United States, The Wonders of America's State Parks is an expansive exploration that showcases the remarkable diversity of America's landscapes, illuminating how these varied environments have sustained and nurtured life for centuries. It's the ideal show for anyone who loves the great outdoors, is committed to environmental conservation, or is simply seeking stunning HD footage of some of the country's most beautiful locations.

Throughout the series, viewers join Yogerst on his adventures as he hikes, kayaks, and explores each park's most scenic and remote locations, encountering wildlife such as bears, eagles, coyotes, and elk along the way. He also interviews park rangers, scientists, historians, and locals who share their personal stories and deep connections to the land.

The series highlights a wide range of themes, from the geological and ecological processes that have shaped each landscape, to the cultural traditions and histories of the people who have called each park home throughout history. Yogerst also covers issues relevant to contemporary conservation efforts, such as climate change, biodiversity loss, and the challenges facing park managers as they work to balance the needs of visitors with the health and sustainability of each park's ecosystem.

The Wonders of America's State Parks is an inspirational and educational series that showcases some of the most beautiful and unique natural landscapes in the world. Yogerst's passion for the great outdoors and his extensive experience in travel and nature writing makes him the perfect guide for this enthralling exploration. Whether you're a seasoned traveler, cultural enthusiast, or simply an armchair explorer, this series provides a one-of-a-kind experience that's sure to leave you wanting more. In short, it's a must-watch for anyone who loves the great outdoors and the natural world.

The Wonders of America's State Parks is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (24 episodes). The series first aired on September 13, 2019.

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Hawaii's Primeval Napali Coast
24. Hawaii's Primeval Napali Coast
September 13, 2019
Hawaii's Napali Coast is a vision of paradise on Earth, with remote beaches, rainforest valleys, 40-story waterfalls, ancient villages, and plenty of wildlife. End this series on a tropical note with a look at spots including Ha'ena State Park, Na Pali Natural Area Reserve, and Waimea Canyon State Park.
Alaska's State Parks: The Last Frontier
23. Alaska's State Parks: The Last Frontier
September 13, 2019
Sprawling across 1.6 million acres of wilderness, Wood-Tikchik is one of the largest state parks in the United States (around the same size as Delaware). Chugach, on the other hand, is an easily reachable state park just miles from downtown Anchorage. Both parks (and their can't-miss sights) are covered here.
Washington's Orca Islands: The San Juans
22. Washington's Orca Islands: The San Juans
September 13, 2019
Want a fascinating glimpse of quirky American history? Look no further than a journey through the state parks of the San Juan Islands. Tour this mosaic of islands and waterways, home to state parks that reflect the archipelago's bucolic lifestyles, including Lime Kiln Point State Park and Matia Island Marine State Park.
California's Coastal Redwood Parks
21. California's Coastal Redwood Parks
September 13, 2019
Northern California's coastal redwoods are among the tallest and oldest living things on the planet. Learn what makes coastal redwoods different from their cousins in the Sierra Nevada, what mobilized federal and state efforts to save the redwoods, and the best ways to see them for yourself at Prairie Creek, Del Norte Coast, and Jedediah Smith state parks.
Big Blue: The Beauty of Lake Tahoe
20. Big Blue: The Beauty of Lake Tahoe
September 13, 2019
Lake Tahoe holds the title of the largest alpine lake in North America, and it's a scenic wonder (and recreational treasure) all year round. Spend some time poking around the lake's iconic state parks, including Emerald Bay on the California side and Sand Harbor on the Nevada shore.
California's Badlands: Anza-Borrego
19. California's Badlands: Anza-Borrego
September 13, 2019
Mr. Yogerst gets a little personal in this lecture on California's Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, which he's been going to his entire life. Explore the melted landscape of the Borrego Badlands, the sandy trails of Coyote Canyon, the majesty of the Salton Sea, and the natural springs of the Vallecito Valley.
Southwest Red Rock and Desert Canyon Parks
18. Southwest Red Rock and Desert Canyon Parks
September 13, 2019
From the strange serenity of Cathedral Rock, to flaming red sandstone formations in the Valley of Fire, to a basin named for the famous Kodachrome slide film, tour the desert canyon landscapes of the American Southwest. It's a grand loop that takes you through 900 miles of scenery and 200 years of geologic history.
Parks of the Colorado Front Range
17. Parks of the Colorado Front Range
September 13, 2019
Despite being one of our national treasures, very little of the Colorado Rockies is protected by the National Park Service. Discover why the best way to explore Colorado's mighty mountains is by visiting amazing state parks from State Forest State Park in the far north to Lincoln Park in the heart of Denver to the dinosaur graveyard at Garden Park Fossil Area.
The Black Hills: Nature and Native Heritage
16. The Black Hills: Nature and Native Heritage
September 13, 2019
Attend a riveting buffalo auction where prices range as high as $5,000 per animal. Explore 71,000 acres of woodland, prairie, lakes, and mountains. Visit the renowned boomtown of Deadwood. These are just a few of the many adventures on offer in the Black Hills of South Dakota, all of which you'll learn about here.
The Great Lakes: Back from the Brink
15. The Great Lakes: Back from the Brink
September 13, 2019
In recent years, the state parks in and around the Great Lakes have benefited from major restoration efforts, making them must-see places to visit. In this episode, explore Mackinac Island in Michigan, Indiana Dunes State Park near Chicago, South Bass Island State Park in Ohio's Lake Erie Archipelago, and more.
Presidential Parks in the Land of Lincoln
14. Presidential Parks in the Land of Lincoln
September 13, 2019
Trace the formative years of Abraham Lincoln's life and learn how history and nature shaped one of the nation's most iconic presidents. You'll visit Lincoln Homestead State Park, Lincoln State Park, Lincoln's New Salem State Park, Brown County State Park, and John James Audubon State Park.
State Parks along the Mighty Mississippi
13. State Parks along the Mighty Mississippi
September 13, 2019
The vast majority of natural and human landmarks along the 2,320-mile stretch of the Mississippi River can be found at state parks. Here, take a trip down Old Man River and hop from Itasca State Park in Minnesota through Columbus-Belmont State Park in Kentucky all the way to Rosedown Plantation in Louisiana.
Adventures in the Ozarks and Ouachitas
12. Adventures in the Ozarks and Ouachitas
September 13, 2019
What the Ozarks and Ouachitas (two rugged highland areas separated by the Arkansas River Valley) lack in height, they more than make up for in the sheer variety of things to do there. Join Mr. Yogerst on an exploration of spots like the Ozark Folk Center State Park, Onondaga Cave State Park, and Lake Ouachita State Park.
West Texas: Where the West Is Still Wild
11. West Texas: Where the West Is Still Wild
September 13, 2019
Visit two awe-inspiring state parks in West Texas: first, Big Bend Ranch, located on the Rio Grande River and home to a vast backcountry you can only explore on unpaved desert roads, and second, Palo Duro Canyon, a 20-mile-wide canyon that offers the best horseback riding in the Texas Panhandle.
The Florida Keys: Tropical Paradise Parks
10. The Florida Keys: Tropical Paradise Parks
September 13, 2019
See what is so special about Florida's state park system and the archipelago in which they're found. Here, dive into several state parks in the Florida Keys, including John Pennekamp State Park, Bahia Honda State Park, Curry Hammock State Park, and the San Pedro Underwater Archaeological Preserve State Park.
Southern Appalachian Peaks and Valleys
9. Southern Appalachian Peaks and Valleys
September 13, 2019
Get a taste of what you can expect from a state park road trip through the southern Appalachians. Mr. Yogerst reveals the scenic jewels you can find within Alabama's DeSoto State Park, northwest Georgia's Fort Mountain, northeast Georgia's Tullulah Gorge (the Grand Canyon of the South), and South Carolina's Mountain Bridge.
Georgia and Carolina Islands: Lost in Time
8. Georgia and Carolina Islands: Lost in Time
September 13, 2019
Get up close and personal with barrier island state parks in Georgia, South Carolina, and the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Discover the incredible variety of history, culture, and outdoor adventures waiting for you in spots like Reynolds Mansion State Park, Charles Towne Landing State Historic Site, and Jockey's Ridge State Park.
The Tidewater South: America's Birthplace
7. The Tidewater South: America's Birthplace
September 13, 2019
Visit a region of Virginia and Maryland where you can experience more than 400 years of American history, including the Jamestown settlement and the battle of Yorktown. In addition, learn about the unspoiled natural wonders you can find at places like Assateague State Park and the Great Dismal Swamp.
New Jersey Pineland Legends and Landscapes
6. New Jersey Pineland Legends and Landscapes
September 13, 2019
A lurking, devilish crypto-creature. A ghost town from the 19th century. Towering coastal lights and undeveloped barrier islands. These are just a few of the many fascinating aspects of the state parks found inside New Jersey's Pinelands and the famous Jersey Shore, including Wharton State Forest and Island Beach State Park.
The Yankee Coast: Plymouth to Montauk
5. The Yankee Coast: Plymouth to Montauk
September 13, 2019
Drive just an hour and a half from Plymouth to Newport and you can visit every single state park covered in this episode. Start with the Pilgrim Memorial (America's most famous rock), then journey to the masonry bastion of Fort Adams in Rhode Island, and end up at Montauk Point and Camp Hero State Parks at the far eastern tip of Long Island.
Exploring New Hampshire's White Mountains
4. Exploring New Hampshire's White Mountains
September 13, 2019
Dive into the adventures within the White Mountain National Forest. There's Franconia Notch, home to the legendary (and defunct) rock formation, the Old Man of the Mountain; Crawford Notch State Park, founded the same year the White Mountain National Forest was established; and Bretton Woods, which lies at the base of Mount Washington.
New York's Adirondacks: Forever Wild
3. New York's Adirondacks: Forever Wild
September 13, 2019
Stretching across more than 6 million acres of Upstate New York, Adirondack Park boasts over 3,000 lakes and ponds; 30,000 miles of rivers and streams; and 5,500 campsites. From the Great Camps of the Gilded Age's rich and famous to Lake Placid, learn what makes this large tract of land just as important as the nation's federal reserves.
The Pennsylvania Wilds: Wilderness Reborn
2. The Pennsylvania Wilds: Wilderness Reborn
September 13, 2019
The state parks of north-central Pennsylvania, located within the Pennsylvania Wilds Conversation Landscape Initiative, lure more than 12 million people each year. In this episode, explore some of the can't-miss features at Cherry Springs State Park, Leonard Harrison State Park, Cook Forest State Park, Sinnemahoning State Park, and more.
Niagara Falls: America's Oldest State Park
1. Niagara Falls: America's Oldest State Park
September 13, 2019
Start your tour of some of the most breathtaking state parks in the United States with a look at the nation's oldest state park: Niagara Falls in Upstate New York. Established in 1885, this state park is home to three majestic falls (American Falls, Bridal Veil Falls, and Horseshoe Falls) and a rich array of flora and fauna. #Better Living
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Where to Watch The Wonders of America's State Parks
The Wonders of America's State Parks is available for streaming on the The Great Courses Signature Collection website, both individual episodes and full seasons. You can also watch The Wonders of America's State Parks on demand at Amazon Prime and Amazon.
  • Premiere Date
    September 13, 2019