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Capitol Reef, Waterpocket Fold, Land of the Sleeping Rainbow—all are colorful names to describe a park with many striking characteristics.

Waterpocket Fold, the main feature of the park, is the name of a 100-mile-long fold in the earth's surface. This uplift contains innumerable eroded basins or pockets that hold thousands of gallons of rainwater. These pockets of water have affected the history of humanity within the park and the flora and fauna of the region.

Entering the park from the west gives the most impressive view of the 1,000-foot-high stone barrier into which erosive forces have sculpted fascinating canyons, mesas, buttes and mazes. Once in the park, other astonishing panoramas await you.

Within a short distance of the visitor center, you will see Capitol Dome, Chimney Rock, the Goosenecks and the Egyptian Temple. Hickman Bridge, the Golden Throne and Capitol Gorge reward you after easy to moderate hikes. Prehistoric petroglyphs, the Fruita Schoolhouse, the Gifford Farmhouse and the Behunin Cabin speak of bygone eras and can be reached by car. The 20-mile round-trip Scenic Drive will take you past the Ripple Rock Nature Center and many of the park's features.

If you are seeking a remote wilderness experience, Capitol Reef has it. To the north of Route 24, dirt roads, which generally require high-clearance or 4-wheel-drive vehicles, lead into the park's north end through the heart of Cathedral Valley, an area of monolithic formations of Entrada and Curtis sandstones, some of which are 500 feet high. South of Route 24, graded roads, usually suitable for high-clearance vehicles, lead into some very fine hiking country. Besides good hiking opportunities, the southern part of the park also offers spectacular views of the folded strata of Capitol Reef and the Henry Mountains. Muley Twist Canyon is in the southern end of the park, as is Brimhall Bridge. Check with a park ranger before setting out for any of these more remote locations. Weather conditions may make the roads slick and impassable.

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Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area

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Superintendent Name: 
Vaughn Baker

For over 9,000 years people have been coming to the powerful Columbia River of Lake Roosevelt National Monument. Once upon a time, the rich fishery of the river was used for survival and prosperity, and today visitors continue to enjoy the river’s recreational opportunities of fishing, camping, hunting and boating. Experience life on the river past and present when you visit Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area.

Park Acreage: 
100390
Visitor Count: 
1281586
Visitor Count Year Recorded: 
2006
Has Volunteer Program: 
Yes
Has Recycling: 
Yes
Has Shuttle System: 
Yes
Park Sights: 
Fort Spokane; Kettle Falls; Columbia Basin; Cascade Mountains
Endangered Species: 
Bald Eagle; Bull Trout; California Bighorn Sheep; American Peregrine
Entrance Fees: 
Campsite: $10.00 per night per site (May 1–September 30),
Nearest Major City: 
Spokane, WA
Gateway Communities: 
Coulee Dam, WA; Elmer City, WA; Grand Coulee, WA; Electric City, WA; Nespelem, WA
Nearby Airports: 
Spokane International Airport (GEG)

Lake Meredith National Recreation Area

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Superintendent Name: 
Karen Brown
Welcome to Lake Meredith, which lies on the dry and windswept High Plains of the Texas Panhandle. Magnificent 200-foot canyons carved by the Canadian River surround this 10,000-acre reservoir. The lake, contrasting spectacularly with its surroundings, was created to supply water to surrounding cities and to create recreational activities such as fishing, boating, waterskiing, sailing, sail-boarding, scuba diving and swimming. The backcountry surrounding the lake provides areas for hunting, camping, horseback riding, wildlife viewing and hiking.
Park Acreage: 
44977
Highest Point: 
Texas Panhandle
Highest Point Elevation: 
4200 feet
Visitor Count: 
1037610
Visitor Count Year Recorded: 
2006
Has Volunteer Program: 
Yes
Has Recycling: 
Yes
Has Shuttle System: 
No
Park Sights: 
The Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
Entrance Fees: 
Free
Nearest Major City: 
Amarillo, TX
Gateway Communities: 
Fritch, TX; Sanford, TX; Borger, TX; Masterson, TX; Stinnett, TX
Nearby Airports: 
Rick Husband Amarillo International Airport (AMA)

Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

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Superintendent Name: 
Jim Milestone
Whiskeytown National Recreation Area is located 8 miles west of Redding, at the juncture of the Klamath Mountain range and the northern edge of the Sacramento Valley. It is home to a special collection of animal and plant life. The parks attractive features include Whiskeytown Lake, Shasta Bally (6,209 ft.) and numerous waterfalls, providing outdoor enthusiasts opportunities for water recreation, hiking, mountain biking and horseback riding.
Park Acreage: 
42503
Highest Point: 
Shasta Bally
Highest Point Elevation: 
6209 feet
Visitor Count: 
749979
Visitor Count Year Recorded: 
2006
Has Volunteer Program: 
Yes
Has Recycling: 
Yes
Has Shuttle System: 
Yes
Park Sights: 
Whiskeytown Lake; Shasta Bally; Crater Lake National Park; Lassen Volcanic National Park; Lava Beds National Monument; Oregon Caves National Monument; Redwood National and State Parks
Entrance Fees: 
Vehicle: $5.00 per day, $10.00 per week; Annual: $25.00
Nearest Major City: 
Redding, CA
Gateway Communities: 
Sugarloaf, CA; Lakeside, CA; Lakehead, CA; Lakeshore, CA
Nearby Airports: 
Redding Municipal Airport (RDD)

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

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Superintendent Name: 
William K. Dickinson

There are a plethora of things to do and see at Lake Mead National Recreation Area. Its magnificent lakes cater to boaters, swimmers, sunbathers, and fishermen. Its deserts entertain hikers, wildlife photographers, and roadside sightseers. Thousands of desert plants and animals also live in the park, and have adapted to survive in extreme conditions.

Park Acreage: 
1.49566
Highest Point: 
Spirit Mountain
Highest Point Elevation: 
1320 feet
Visitor Count: 
7777753
Visitor Count Year Recorded: 
2006
Has Volunteer Program: 
Yes
Has Recycling: 
Yes
Has Shuttle System: 
No
Park Sights: 
Lake Mead; Lake Mohave; Mojave Desert
Entrance Fees: 
Vehicle (1-5 days): $5.00;
Nearest Major City: 
Las Vegas, NV
Gateway Communities: 
Boulder City, NV; Las Vegas, NV; Lake Las Vegas, NV
Nearby Airports: 
Mc Carran International Airport (LAS)

Amistad National Recreation Area

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Superintendent Name: 
Bill Sontag
The International Amistad Reservoir was formed on the Rio Grande along the border of the US and Mexico. Amistad National Recreation Area encompasses the United States portion of the reservoir, which is bursting with exceptional water-based activities such as boating and fishing. The reservoir is surrounded by a landscape saturated with prehistoric rock art, a vibrant border culture and diverse plant and animal life.
Park Acreage: 
57292
Visitor Count: 
1599271
Visitor Count Year Recorded: 
2006
Has Volunteer Program: 
Yes
Has Recycling: 
Yes
Has Shuttle System: 
No
Park Sights: 
Railroad Tunnels and Stations; The Pecos Viaduct; International Amistad Reservoir; Prehistoric Rock Art; Devil's River; Pecos River; Tamaulipan Shrubland; Chihuahuan Desert; Edwards Plateau; Lake Cumberland
Endangered Species: 
Interior Least Tern; Texas Indigo Snake; Trans-Pecos Black-Headed Snake; Texas Horned Lizard
Entrance Fees: 
Individual: $4.00; Annual:$40.00
Nearest Major City: 
Del Rio, TX
Gateway Communities: 
Del Rio, TX; Comstock, TX
Nearby Airports: 
Del Rio International Airport (DRT)

Scuba Diving

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Coral Reefs aren't the only wonders to be discovered underwater - shipwrecks saturate the system with opportunities to explore historic vessels in the depths below national lakeshores, parks and even monuments!

Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument

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Superintendent Name: 
Mark Hardgrove

Virgin Islands Coral Reef Monument protects federal submerged lands within 3 miles of the island of St. John. These waters support a diverse and complex system of coral reefs, mangrove forests and seagrass beds that contribute to the health and survival of all its ecosystems.

Park Open Info: 
Year-round
Park Closed Info: 
Year-round
Park Acreage: 
12708
Visitor Count Year Recorded: 
2006
Has Volunteer Program: 
No
Has Recycling: 
Yes
Has Shuttle System: 
No
Park Sights: 
Virgin Islands Coral Reef; St. John
Entrance Fees: 
Free
Nearest Major City: 
St. John, VI
Gateway Communities: 
Coral Bay; Johns Folly; Cruz Bay
Nearby Airports: 
Cyril E. King Airport (STT); Charlotte Amalie Harbor Seaplane Base (SPB)

Buck Island Reef National Monument

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Superintendent Name: 
Joel Tutein
Buck Island Reef National Monument, established to preserve "one of the finest marine gardens in the Caribbean Sea," is one of a few fully marine protected areas in the National Park System. A large variety of native flora and fauna, including the hawksbill turtle and brown pelican, are supported by the 176-acre island and surrounding coral reef ecosystem.
Park Open Info: 
Year-round
Park Closed Info: 
Year-round
Park Acreage: 
19015.5
Visitor Count: 
47456
Visitor Count Year Recorded: 
2006
Has Volunteer Program: 
Yes
Has Recycling: 
Yes
Has Shuttle System: 
No
Park Sights: 
Coral Reef; Seashore; Mangroves
Endangered Species: 
Hawksbill Turtle; Leatherback Turtle; St. Croix Ground Lizard
Entrance Fees: 
Free
Nearest Major City: 
Christiansted, VI
Gateway Communities: 
Christiansted, VI; Port Alucroix, VI
Nearby Airports: 
Henry E. Rohlsen Airport (STX)

Virgin Islands National Park

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Superintendent Name: 
Mark Hardgrove
Virgin Islands National Park's breath-taking beaches sprawl across the island of St. John. Within its 7,000 plus acres is a complex history of civilizations - both free and enslaved - dating back more than a thousand years. Discover who utilized the land and the sea for survival in this tropical setting.
Park Acreage: 
15150
Highest Point: 
Bordeux Mountain
Highest Point Elevation: 
1300 feet
Visitor Count: 
677289
Visitor Count Year Recorded: 
2006
Has Volunteer Program: 
Yes
Has Recycling: 
Yes
Has Shuttle System: 
Yes
Park Sights: 
Trunk Bay; Cinnamon Bay; Hawksnest; Annaberg Ruins; Centerline Road; Reef Bay Sugar Mill; Catherineburg
Endangered Species: 
St. Thomas Lidflower; Prickly Ash; Marron Bacora (threatened); Bats
Entrance Fees: 
Free; Trunk Bay - Adults: $4
Nearest Major City: 
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
Gateway Communities: 
Coral Bay; Johns Folly; Cruz Bay
Nearby Airports: 
Cyril E. King Airport (STT); Charlotte Amalie Harbor Seaplane Base (SPB)
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