Turkey Run State Park

When you visit this river, you're here courtesy of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which keeps the river and parks well-maintained. Lovers of river-rafting head straight for the rapids above Knights Ferry.

Here, you can crush 4 miles of rapids—some so awesome, only expert teams can access them. The river below Knights Ferry is a little more tranquil, so you can relax and get out your fishing gear. You'll find trout, bass, catfish, carp, and crappie ready to take your lures.

Fishing's available January through March and June through October. In the late fall, watch the Chinook salmon running upstream. Also worth a visit: the Knights Ferry covered bridge, the longest west of the Mississippi.

To protect this unique environment, camping is accessible only by bicycle, by boat or on foot. Sorry, no RV hookups here! You'll need a permit (and a reservation's a good idea). Plan on packing your own water in.