Moran State Park - Washington

Address:3572 Olga Road
Olga, Washington

Located on Orcas Island, Moran State Park is a magnificent way to take in the best of the Pacific Northwest. In the midst of amazing views and plenty of nature surrounding, perhaps the greatest attraction is Mt. Constitution, which is 2,409 feet tall - the highest point in the San Juan Islands. At the summit lies an observation tower built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which offers panoramic views of Canada and the U.S. mainland. The park also boasts over 30 miles of trails through old growth forest, speckled with waterfalls. Wildlife is plentiful here too, with countless critters calling Moran home, and visitors are welcome to enjoy camping among them.

Franklin Mountains State Park, in El Paso County, was created by an Act of the Texas State Legislature in 1979. The Franklin Mountains form a striking backdrop to the City of El Paso and constitute an area of statewide ecological and aesthetic significance. Making the mountains a park for the protection of their natural features and enjoyment of the public has long been a dream of farsighted El Paso residents, as well as conservationists across the state and nation. When, in the late 1970s, developers began carving roads into these, until then, almost pristine mountains, House Bill 867 was passed in 1979 by the Texas Legislature authorizing Texas Parks and Wildlife to acquire Franklin Mountains as a State Park, thus protecting the area from further urban development. The intent of the Legislature was to provide lasting protection to the outstanding scenic, ecological and historic features of the Franklin Mountains so that they could be enjoyed and appreciated by present and future generations. Parks and Wildlife acquired the property in 1981; it was opened to the public in 1987 for limited use. The park is the largest urban park in the nation at 24,247.56 acres, covering some 37 square miles, all within the city limits of El Paso.