What are the dirtiest state parks in America?

According to the article, the five dirtiest state parks are East Fork State Park in Ohio, Lake Thunderbird State Park in Oklahoma, Jordan Lake State Recreation Area in North Carolina, Beltzville State Park in Pennsylvania, and Belle Isle Park in Michigan.

Why are these state parks so dirty?

The article cites underfunding as the primary reason, leading to a backlog of maintenance issues and chronic understaffing. This has resulted in problems like algae blooms, trash buildup, and deteriorating facilities.

How are visitors reacting to the dirty conditions at these state parks?

Travelers have taken to social media to complain about the unsanitary conditions, including dirty campsites, clogged toilets, broken bottles, and even dirty diapers left behind by other visitors.

Home / Lifestyle / Filthy Fun: Travelers Slam Unsanitary Conditions at Top State Parks

Filthy Fun: Travelers Slam Unsanitary Conditions at Top State Parks

4 Nov, 2025

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Summary

Algae blooms, trash, and dirty diapers plague popular state parks
Underfunding leads to deteriorating facilities and understaffing
Visitors complain about dirty campsites, clogged toilets, and polluted waters

Filthy Fun: Travelers Slam Unsanitary Conditions at Top State Parks

As of November 2025, travelers are voicing their frustrations with the unsanitary conditions plaguing some of America's most popular state parks. Despite the country's vast network of over 10,000 state parks, a number of these natural treasures have fallen into disrepair due to chronic underfunding.

In Ohio, East Fork State Park's Harsha Lake has been plagued by harmful algal blooms for years, with one Reddit user recounting how they "left when a turd floated past" them. Similarly, Oklahoma's Lake Thunderbird State Park, nicknamed the "Lake Dirty Bird," is known for its reddish, soil-stained waters, as well as dirty campsites and even the occasional dumped body.

North Carolina's Jordan Lake State Recreation Area has also drawn ire for the trash left behind by visitors, particularly on the park's swimming beaches. "Dirty diapers, cans, shoes, fishing line, corn cobs...scattered everywhere," lamented one Redditor. Pennsylvania's Beltzville State Park and Michigan's Belle Isle Park have faced similar issues, with complaints ranging from broken bottles and soiled diapers to E. coli-contaminated waters.