The State Parks Best Seen At Sunrise

There's something unique about seeing a landscape before the day starts, as the light slowly alters the nature surrounding it. Some state parks are more impressive at sunrise, like Nevada's fiery sandstone or Wisconsin's towering pink quartzite bluffs. They offer early risers a chance to breathe the cool air and walk the trails with hardly any visitors before the crowds and heat arrive. So, set your alarm, grab a coffee, and get there before dawn, because these state parks are worth waking up for.

Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada

As the sun starts to rise over the Valley of Fire State Park, its early light transforms the park's striking red and orange Aztec sandstone, with a color scheme that seems almost unbelievable and brilliant. Shadows stretch over the ridges and curves of the rocks, while the surrounding desert gradually shifts from gray to shades of red, gold, and orange. One of the best aspects of experiencing this sunrise is the serenity you feel before the heat and the crowds arrive. Keep in mind that day-use hours run sunrise to sunset, so catching the very first light means camping in the park overnight rather than driving in before dawn.

After sunrise, there are plenty of activities to enjoy, including hiking the Fire Wave to see swirling pink, red, and white rocks and the White Domes Loop, a narrow slot canyon with old movie ruins. Note that both the Fire Wave and White Domes Loop close annually from May 15 through September 30 because of extreme summer heat, so plan a cooler-season visit for those trails. You can also climb the stairs to view ancient petroglyphs at Atlatl Rock, or take a scenic drive to explore the entire area. For a more immersive experience, consider camping at the park overnight, allowing you to wake up surrounded by the colorful desert.

Dead Horse Point State Park, Utah

There's a three-dimensional setting when the sun rises over Dead Horse Point State Park, with the Colorado River winding 2,000 feet below and the La Sal Mountains reaching across the horizon. The park opens at 6 a.m. year-round, so aim to arrive right at the gate, keeping in mind that on some dates the sun rises before then. Once inside, the canyon stays covered in cool shadows as you wait for the light to sweep across the cliffs, turning the red rock shades of orange, pink, and gold. The contrast between the glowing canyon walls and the dark river below makes the view particularly striking in the early morning hours.

Once the sun is up, you can hike the 1.5-mile East Rim Trail for continuous canyon and mountain views, or take the almost 3-mile West Rim Trail, through pinyon-juniper forest with side trips to Meander Overlook and Shafer Canyon. If you stay after dark, the park is also an excellent place for stargazing, thanks to its designation as an International Dark Sky Park.

Anza-Borrego Desert State Park, California

The sunrise at Anza-Borrego Desert State Park makes it feel enormous, like the landscape stretches on endlessly. If you arrive about 30-45 minutes before sunrise, head toward Font's Point, where the first light pours across the badlands, slowly turning the gray and brown rocks into shades of gold, orange, and pink. Reaching Font's Point means driving a four-mile sandy road that requires four-wheel drive and high clearance because of soft sand, or hiking in if you do not have the right vehicle. With little development in the park and open views, there's nothing to block the horizon or compete with the sun as it rises.

There is also plenty to explore in the area, starting with the famous slot canyons, with walls so narrow it requires hikers to walk sideways through tight passages. Nearby is the Borrego Palm Canyon, a rocky wash that leads to a palm oasis surrounding a stream and pools. You can also explore remote trails by four-wheel drive, or stick around after dark for some of California's best stargazing.

Smith Rock State Park, Oregon

Smith Rock State Park in Oregon is famous for its sheer climbing walls and the Monkey Face, but the cliffs take on a whole new look when the morning light hits them. Arriving about 30-45 minutes before sunrise enables you to watch the sun creep across the large cliffs, turning the rock into warm shades of gold. The Crooked River below flows quietly through the canyon, and on clear mornings, you can view the Cascade Peaks off in the distance.

For the adventurous type, the Misery Ridge Trail is a relentless and steep 1,000-foot climb to panoramic canyon sites and views of the iconic Monkey Face spire. If you're a rock climber, head to Smith Rock for routes ranging from beginner-friendly climbs to challenging multi-pitch walls. You can also spot golden eagles and other wildlife at the base of the Ridge or fish the Crooked River before the midday heat arrives.

Devil's Lake State Park, Wisconsin

The combination of the 500-foot quartzite bluff around the 360-acre lake makes the sunrise at Devil's Lake State Park seem more dramatic. If you arrive about 30 minutes early, you can catch the water shift from dark and glassy to a mirror reflecting pink, orange, and gold light across the cliffs. The West Bluff is a great place to watch the sun come up over the lake, while the shoreline offers a closer view of the glowing rocks as daylight spreads over them.

The quiet of early morning makes the scenery more impressive, and after sunrise you can try rock climbing the massive quartzite rock that faces the bluff or rent kayaks, canoes, or paddle boards to take out on the water. During the cold weather season, there are always opportunities for snowshoeing or cross-country skiing at Steinke Basin Loop or Roznos Meadow.

Chasing the First Light

The best sunrise isn't always about finding the highest viewpoint or the most famous landmark. Sometimes it's about being there at dawn, standing in the vast lands of Anza-Borrego Desert State Park to watch the scenery change before your eyes. The early wake-up may be the hardest part, but once the cliffs start glowing red and the landscape shifts from gray to orange, it's easy to see why catching the sunrise is worth it.