From Pacific Northwest volcanoes and Route 66 highlights to California forests and Southwest canyons, these blog posts feature the greatest national monuments in the USA.
America’s national parks system spans the entire country, from Alaska and Hawaii to Florida and Utah. All 50 states and the District of Columbia have one or more National Park Service (NPS) sites. This vast system also includes places in overseas territories like Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. Together, all these…
With all that overwhelming natural splendor, it’s easy to forget that the National Park System also preserves a wealth of other things and places. In fact, there are literally thousands of Native American heritage and cultural sites in America’s national parks, preserving archaeological sites, battlefields and cultural landmarks.
Although less known than the popular Painted Hills Unit, the Sheep Rock Unit is the largest of the three units that make up John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon. It is the heart of this fascinating national monument, home to striking rock formations, fossil-rich geological layers, beautiful riverside scenery, several great hiking trails, a…
Despite their remote location in the High Desert of central Oregon, the Painted Hills are one of the most-visited natural attractions in the state. It’s a popular day trip destination from Bend, as well as a fantastic two-or-three-day road trip from Portland. The Painted Hills are famous for their extraordinary colored stripes of yellow, gold,…
Situated at the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia Rivers, on the border of Oregon and Washington, Portland is the ideal starting point for a Pacific Northwest national parks road trip. This outdoorsy, eco-friendly city offers easy access to some of the greatest U.S. national parks.
One of the most iconic mountains in the Pacific Northwest, Washington’s Mount St. Helens is famous for its 1980 eruption, which is still the most devastating and deadliest volcanic eruption in the history of the United States. Nowadays, however, it’s a fantastic place to witness the resilience of nature up close. More than 200 miles…
National Park Service sites in the Upper Midwest may be relatively few and far between, but that doesn’t mean you can’t put together a great national parks road trip from one of the region’s major cities. In fact, there are several awesome national parks near Minneapolis – St. Paul, from national monuments and lakeshores to…
There are dozens of National Park Service sites dedicated to African American history and culture. They commemorate Black American education and innovation, as well as the era of slavery and civil rights movement, music, and prominent and influential Black Americans, such as Frederick Douglass, Harriet tubman and Martin Luther King, Jr.
Set on the southern shore of Lake Michigan, Chicago has no lack of natural areas and parks, offering visitors a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities. From wind surfing, SUPing and kayaking to sunbathing, hiking and cycling, there’s plenty to do in the Windy City. Additionally, there are also numerous national parks, monuments and other…
Characterized by sprawling cattle ranches, vast plains, historic travel routes and forts, dusty towns, saloons and the majestic Rocky Mountains, Wyoming epitomizes the classic American West. This is a place of cowboys and mountain men, bison and grizzly bears, numerous significant Native American sites and the magnificent wildernesses of the Wyoming national parks. Parts of…
Besides such famous places as Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon and Death Valley, and iconic buildings like the Statue of Liberty and the San Antonio Missions, the National Park Service (NPS) also preserves an amazing diversity of caves. In fact, the National Park Service system encompasses more than 4,700 caves. Yes, you read that right! I’ll…
Decades, even centuries, before the United States gained independence, Hispanic and Latinx people were shaping the history and culture of present-day North America. Today, this wealth of Hispanic heritage is visible at numerous National Park Service sites, from California and New Mexico to Florida and Massachusetts. The Hispanic heritage preserved in these national parks, monuments,…
From fascinating historic sites, including both Native American sites and pioneer trails, to sprawling volcanic landscapes, caves, badlands and rain forests, the sheer diversity of the national forests, monuments and national parks in Oregon is amazing. These are the best federal parks to visit in the Beaver State.
On a road trip to the national parks and monuments of Arizona, you’ll get to explore spectacular desert landscapes, visit ancient Native American sites and ruins, drive a part of iconic Route 66 and see the majestic Grand Canyon.