Letchworth State Park

Letchworth State Park Wins Readers' Choice

Porcupine Mountains Wilderness, Watkins Glen, Ha Ha Tonka and Devil's Lake State Parks also winners

The earliest state parks in the United States date back to the mid 1800s, and today, the 50 states collectively manage well over 6,000 state park units that draw in over 700 million annual visitors. After four weeks of voting, the polls are closed and the winners of the USA TODAY 10Best Readers' Choice award for Best State Park have been chosen.

It was neck and neck throughout the voting period between two parks, Letchworth State Park in New York and Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park in Michigan. In the end, Letchworth State Park edged ahead and took home top honors.

The top 10 winners in the category Best State Park are as follows:

1. Letchworth State Park - N.Y.
2. Porcupine Mountains Wilderness State Park - Mich.
3. Watkins Glen State Park - N.Y.
4. Ha Ha Tonka State Park - Mo.
5. Devil's Lake State Park - Wis.
6. Fall Creek Falls State Park - Tenn.
7. Indiana Dunes State Park - Ind.
8. Assateague State Park - Md.
9. Custer State Park - S.D.
10. Hunting Island State Park - S.C.

A panel of experts picked the initial 20 nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote. Experts Fred Lochner (America's State Parks ), Anna Hider (Roadtrippers ), Karen Catchpole and Eric Mohl (Trans-Americas Journey ), Mike Wendland (Roadtreking ) and Diana Gerstacker (The Active Times ) were chosen based on their extensive expertise in American travel and state parks.

Other nominees included Hueco Tanks, Stone Mountain (N.C.), Weeki Wachee Springs, Antelope Island. Grayson Highlands, Hearst San Simeon, Valley of Fire. Humboldt Redwoods and Ecola State Parks.

10Best and USA TODAY extend their congratulations to all the winners. The contest was promoted on 10Best and USA TODAY.