Acadia National Park – Bar Harbor, ME
People have been drawn to the rugged coast of Maine throughout history. Awed by its beauty and diversity, early 20th-century visionaries donated the land that became Acadia National Park. The park is home to many plants and animals, and the tallest mountain on the U.S. Atlantic coast. Today visitors come to Acadia to hike granite peaks, bike historic carriage roads, or relax and enjoy the scenery.
MARYLAND
Glen Echo Park – Glen Echo, MD
Begun in 1891 as an idealistic attempt to create a National Chautauqua Assembly “to promote liberal and practical education”, the park became instead the area’s premier amusement park from 1898-1968. Today, the park has come full circle, offering year-round educational activities, while two amusement-era destinations (the Spanish Ballroom and Dentzel Carousel) remain major attractions.
George Washington Memorial Parkway – DC,MD,VA
This is the “Road to Adventure” – originally designed as a grand gateway and greenway to the Nation’s Capital. Here, you can learn about the First President and the development of America. As an oasis amid urban development, the Parkway has a variety of park sites that provide opportunities for everything from quiet contemplation to nature exploration to active recreation.
Greenbelt Park – Greenbelt, MD
Camp or hike among 1100 acres of pine and decidious forest located just twelve miles from Washington, D.C. Discover Greenbelt Park and make plans to visit Washington, D.C. and stay at Greenbelt Park’s campground for only $16. The Greenbelt campground is known for its safety, affordability, peaceful surroundings, National Park Service hospitality and is open all year round.
MASSACHUSETTS
Boston African American National Historic Site – Boston, MA
Come walk the Black Heritage Trail® on the north slope of Beacon Hill, and learn about the free African American community that lived here during the decades leading up to and during the Civil War. These historic buildings were the homes, businesses, schools, and churches of this thriving black community that, in the face of great opposition, fought the forces of slavery and inequality.
Cape Cod National Seashore – Wellfleet, MA
The great Outer Beach described by Thoreau in the 1800s is protected within the national seashore. Forty miles of pristine sandy beach, marshes, ponds, and uplands support diverse species. Lighthouses, cultural landscapes, and wild cranberry bogs offer a glimpse of Cape Cod’s past and continuing ways of life. Swimming beaches and walking and biking trails beckon today’s visitors.
MICHIGAN
Isle Royale National Park – Houghton, MI
Isle Royale’s physical isolation and primitive wilderness challenged human use for centuries; ironically today it has become the Island’s main attraction. Accessible only by boat or seaplane, visitors come to experience this island park through hiking its trails, paddling its inland waterways, exploring its rugged coast, or venturing into the depth of its shipwrecks.
Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore – Munising, Grand Marais, MI
Visitors to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore enjoy the beautiful beaches of Lake Superior as the waves roll gently in. Sandstone cliffs, beaches, sand dunes, waterfalls, lakes, forest, and shoreline beckon you to visit Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. Hiking, camping, sightseeing, and four season outdoor opportunities abound. The Lakeshore hugs the Lake Superior shoreline for more than 40 miles. Lake Superior is the largest, deepest, coldest, and most pristine of all the Great Lakes.
MINNESOTA
Pipestone National Monument – Pipestone, MN
Pipestone National Monument offers an opportunity to explore American Indian culture and the natural resources of the tallgrass prairie. Established by Congress in 1937 to protect the historic pipestone quarries, the site is considered sacred by many American Indians. Spanning centuries of use, American Indians continue to quarry pipestone which they carve into sacred pipes.
Voyageurs National Park – International Falls, Kabetogama, Ash River, and Crane Lake, MN
Nearly 200 years ago French Canadian voyageurs paddled birch bark canoes full of animal pelts and trade goods through this place on their way to Lake Athabaska in Canada. Voyageurs is a water-based park where you must park your car and take to the water to fully experience the lakes, islands and shoreline of the park. Today motorboats, houseboats, canoes and kayaks are all used here.
MISSISSIPPI
Vicksburg National Military Park – Vicksburg, MS
Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the campaign, siege and defense of Vicksburg. Vicksburg was a fortress located on high ground guarding the Mississippi River. Its surrender on July 4, 1863, coupled with the fall of Port Hudson, Louisiana, divided the South, and gave the North undisputed control of the Mississippi River.
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail – Tupelo, MS
The Old Natchez Trace was a 500-mile footpath that ran through Choctaw and Chickasaw lands connecting Natchez, Mississippi, to Nashville, Tennessee. You can experience portions of that journey the way earlier travelers did – on foot. Today there are four separate trails totaling 65 miles and they are administered by the Natchez Trace Parkway.
MISSOURI
Ozark National Scenic Riverways – Van Buren,Eminence,Salem,Winona, MO
Two of America’s clearest and most beautiful spring-fed rivers make up the Ozark National Scenic Riverways, the first national park area to protect a wild river system. The Current and Jacks Fork Rivers wind through a landscape of rugged hills and towering bluffs. A message from the Superintendent about efforts to control rowdy behavior on the rivers.
MONTANA
Glacier National Park – Northwest Montana, MT
Come and experience Glacier’s pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes. With over 700 miles of trails, Glacier is a hiker’s paradise for adventurous visitors seeking wilderness and solitude. Relive the days of old through historic chalets, lodges, transportation, and stories of Native Americans. Explore Glacier National Park and discover what awaits you.
Yellowstone National Park – Yellowstone National Park, ID,MT,WY
Established in 1872, Yellowstone National Park is America’s first national park. Located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, it is home to a large variety of wildlife including grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk. Preserved within Yellowstone National Park are Old Faithful and a collection of the world’s most extraordinary geysers and hot springs, and the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone.
