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.
Close to Hollywood, Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area portrays the imagination of big time movies with the beauty of natural surroundings such as beaches, grasslands, canyons and oak woodlands. This diverse landscape inspires preservation and creativity, and truly is star quality! Hikes, walks, tours and rides are just some of the activities that abound in the park, so come and meet Santa Monica Mountains in person.
It’s obvious why Golden Gate National Recreation Area is one of the most visited units of the National Park System, with over 13 million visitors a year. The two hundred years of history boast Native American culture, the Spanish Empire frontier, the Mexican Republic, maritime history, the California Gold Rush, the evolution of American coastal fortifications and the growth of urban San Francisco. Explore the many areas of the park, stretching from northern San Mateo County to Southern Marin County and including several areas of San Francisco.
Gateway National Recreation abounds with recreational and learning opportunities, ranging from swimming, boating and fishing to team sports, bicycling and nature study. Travel to days of old when you visit the nation’s oldest operating lighthouse, forts that defended America, and sites that trace aviation’s early days. A wildlife refuge, holly forest, ocean dunes and coastal uplands in one, Gateway is a park that you don’t want to miss!
Welcome to the relaxing surroundings of Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area, bursting with forests, mountains, upland prairie, deep canyons, broad valleys, high desert, lake and wetlands. The Canyon was established by an act of Congress on October 15, 1966, following the construction of the Yellowtail Dam by the Bureau of Reclamation. Since its establishment, people have been able to find tranquil settings to better explore recreation, nature, wildlife and history.
There is a reason Chickasaw National Recreation Area is known as the “Peaceful Valley of Rippling Waters.” This beautiful park is full of mineral springs, cool water, flora, fauna, and wildlife. Visitors are taken back in time to the days when the early American Indian came to this area to rest, relax at the water’s edge and hunt for their food from the abundant wildlife.
Wupatki National Monument was established to preserve Citadel and Wupatki pueblos. Monument boundaries have been adjusted several times since its establishment, and now include additional pueblos and other archeological resources on a total of 35,422 acres. Wupatki represents a cultural crossroads, home to numerous groups of people over thousands of years.
The first National Park Service area established within the boundaries of Minnesota, Pipestone National Monument possesses a valuable spiritual resource to many American Indians. The pipestone quarries are a sacred site for many American Indians attracting tribes across North American to quarry red pipestone for making pipes and effigies from the easily carveable material.
Whether you want to count yellow poppies, condors or shooting stars, Pinnacles National Monument will reward you with new pleasures on every visit. Activities include hiking, rock climbing, studying wildlife, viewing wildflowers and experiencing nature.
