North Country National Scenic Trail
Come to the North Country. Trek the hills and valleys. Stand on the shores of lakes & streams from glaciers 10,000 years before. Clear-flowing water, red/gold of autumn, a fairyland of snow, open prairies, and distant horizons paint the land. Historic sites along the way tell how America settled and grew as a nation. From North Dakota to Vermont, adventure is never far away.Photo: "North Country National Scenic Trail Trailhead in the Chippewa National Forest, Minnesota." - NPS / Luke Jordan
Fort Larned National Historic Site
Discover a complete and authentic army post from the 1860s -1870s! This well-preserved fort on the Santa Fe Trail shares a tumultuous history of the Indian Wars era. The sandstone constructed buildings sheltered troops who were known as the Guardians of the Santa Fe Trail.Photo: "Buffalo Soldier re-enactors help bring Fort Larned's history to life." - NPS Photo
Fort Donelson National Battlefield
Brigadier General Ulysses S. Grant was becoming quite famous as he wrote these words following the surrender of Confederate Fort Donelson on Sunday, February 16, 1862. The Union victory at Fort Donelson elated the North, and stunned the South. Within days of the surrender, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands. Grant and his troops had created a pathway to victory for the Union.Photo: "Volunteers demonstrate Field Artillery at Fort Donelson NB" - NPS
Old Spanish National Historic Trail
Follow the routes of mule pack trains across the Southwest on the Old Spanish National Historic Trail between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California. New Mexican traders moved locally produced merchandise across what are now six states to exchange for mules and horses.Photo: "The San Rafael Swell is a huge craggy geologic feature (an anticline), about 75 miles by 40 miles, located in south-central Utah approximately 30 miles west of Green River." - NPS
California National Historic Trail
Follow in the footsteps of over 250,000 emigrants who traveled to the gold fields and rich farmlands of California during the 1840s and 1850s: the greatest mass migration in American history. The California National Historic Trail is over 5,000 miles long and covers portions of 10 states. Step into history along more than 1,000 miles of ruts and traces from travelers and their overland wagons.Photo: "Devil's Gate was an important emigrant landmark in Wyoming." - NPS Photo
Gauley River National Recreation Area
The 25 miles of free-flowing Gauley River and the six miles of the Meadow River pass through scenic gorges and valleys containing a wide variety of natural and cultural features. The Gauley River contains several class V+ rapids, making it one of the most adventurous white water boating rivers in the east.Photo: "Whitewater rafting is popular during Gauley Season" - NPS Photo
Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail
Remember and commemorate the survival of the Cherokee people, forcefully removed from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee to live in Indian Territory, now Oklahoma. They traveled by foot, horse, wagon, or steamboat in 1838-1839.Photo: "Cherokee leader John Brown, who owned 640 acres in this area, ordered the construction of Browns Ferry Tavern in 1803. In 1838, the road running past this structure was the route by which several Cherokee detachments were removed to present-day Oklahoma." - NPS
Fort Union National Monument
Exposed to the wind, within a sweeping valley of short grass prairie, amid the swales of the Santa Fe Trail, lie the territorial-style adobe remnants of the largest 19th century military fort in the region. For forty years, 1851-1891, Fort Union functioned as an agent of political and cultural change, whether desired or not, in New Mexico and throughout the Southwest.Photo: "One of the most photographed areas of the monument, the Mechanics Corral onced serviced wagons that travelled along the Santa Fe Trail." - Ron Harvey - Fort Union National Monument
Fort Laramie National Historic Site
Originally established as a private fur trading fort in 1834, Fort Laramie evolved into the largest and best known military post on the Northern Plains before its abandonment in 1890. This “grand old post” witnessed the entire sweeping saga of America’s western expansion and Indian resistance to encroachment on their territories.Photo: "Fall colors paint the parade grounds near Old Bedlam." - NPS Photo
Chesapeake Bay
Over 41 million acres are connected through the waters that flow to and through Chesapeake Bay. The National Park Service strives to connect people to the opportunities and adventures throughout the watershed. Inspiring stewardship across this vast region supports recreation, business, tourism, learning, and a thriving natural resource for all to enjoy.Photo: "At sunset, a boater returns to the docks used by working watermen at Tangier Island." - NPS Photo / Starke Jett
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
Only in New Orleans could there be a National Park for jazz! Drop by our visitor center at 419 Decatur Street to learn from a ranger talk, participate in a drum circle, enjoy a jazz concert, or inquire about musical events around town. There's no better place than New Orleans for a world class musical experience!Photo: "The park works with local partners to share jazz at community events, festivals, and other venues." - NPS Photo
Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
At the end of the last Ice Age, 18,000 to 15,000 years ago, an ice dam in northern Idaho created Glacial Lake Missoula stretching 3,000 square miles around Missoula, Montana. The dam burst and released flood waters across Washington, down the Columbia River into Oregon before reaching the Pacific Ocean. The Ice Age Floods forever changed the lives and landscape of the Pacific Northwest.Photo: "Dry Lake lake bed and falls in winter" - NPS Photo
New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park
Only in New Orleans could there be a National Park for jazz! Drop by our visitor center at 419 Decatur Street to learn from a ranger talk, participate in a drum circle, enjoy a jazz concert, or inquire about musical events around town. There's no better place than New Orleans for a world class musical experience!Photo: "The park's state-of-the-art concert space at the Old US Mint is the perfect place to enjoy some jazz." - NPS Photo
Yellowstone National Park
On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal wonders. Today, millions of people come here each year to camp, hike, and enjoy the majesty of the park.Photo: "Bison near Mud Volcano" - NPS/Diane Renkin
Niobrara National Scenic River
With a little something for everyone, the Niobrara National Scenic River is a destination for crossing adventures off your bucket list. Most popular for river recreation, you can float the Niobrara River on a canoe, tube, or kayak as a beginner and have a blast. Hiking, biking, and wildlife watching keep our visitors busy. Oh! And we haven't even told you about the waterfalls yet.Photo: "The Niobrara is a peaceful place to paddle during the week." - NPS Photo