Dansco Washington Quarters America’s Beautiful National Parks

Hot Springs National Park is the first site Congress established as a federal reservation. It was declared a reservation to protect the thermal springs. The park is located in central Arkansas and has attracted people for hundreds of years because of the springs’ famed healing powers. The waters descend down the slope of Hot Springs Mountain and are collected and distributed to many establishments, including an arthritis hospital, around the city of Hot Springs. Over a million people a year visit the park to bathe in the legendary waters. The park has numerous hiking trails, camping facilities, and “Bathhouse Row” as attractions. The area has the largest collection of bathhouses of its kind and is commonly known as “The American Spa.” The federal reservation was later established as a national park on July 5, 1933. This is the smallest national park, by area, in the United States. It has an area of 5,550 acres.

Yellowstone National Park is considered the world’s first national park and holds the greatest concentration of geothermal features in the world. The majority of its area is located in northwestern Wyoming but it also extends into Idaho and Montana. It is known for its spectacular natural beauty and wildlife, and contains stunning geysers including the world-renowned and predictable “Old Faithful.” The park is adorned with lakes, hot springs, canyons, rivers, fossil forests, and mountain ranges. Native Americans lived in the area for thousands of years. In the second half of the 19th century, explorers and photographers exposed the region’s natural beauty to the world. News of its magnificence traveled quickly and the need to conserve its beauty became apparent. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the bill making Yellowstone a national park in 1872. It has an area of 2,219,789 acres.

Yosemite National Park is famous for its spectacular scenery including Yosemite Valley, astounding waterfalls, majestic granite cliffs, and the Mariposa Grove of Sequoia trees. The park is a popular destination for hikers, campers, naturalists, and anyone who wishes to enjoy time in breathtaking scenery. It is located in east central California in the Sierra Nevada Range. The Native American Miwok people inhabited the area before tourists began advertising its unusual beauty in the 1850s. It was through the assistance of naturalist John Muir that Yosemite became a national park. Almost 95% of the park is designated as wilderness, and it contains over 1,000 varieties of flowering plants and 35 species of trees. Wildlife includes 240 species of birds and 80 species of mammals, including American black bears and bobcats. The elevation ranges from 2,000 to 13,114 feet (600 to 4,000 m) and the park has an area of 761,320 acres.

Grand Canyon National Park was originally a forest reserve established in 1893. The park is located in northwestern Arizona and contains the great chasm, the Grand Canyon, which was cut by the Colorado River, its buttes, gorges and ravines. The width of the canyon is due to wind, rain, temperature, and natural erosion. The multi-colored rocks date back to Precambrian times. The variation in depth can create four different climate zones and very different plant life within the canyon. The northern rim contains dense forest regions of aspen, fir, and pine while the southern rim is sparsely covered in juniper and pinyon. The canyon has an average minimum width of 18 miles (29 km) and is more than 5,000 ft. (1,500 m) deep. The bottom of the canyon can reach temperatures of 120 °F with plant life including yucca, agave, and tamarisk. Wildlife includes foxes, deer, badgers, bobcats, and kangaroo rats. It has a total area of 1,217,403 acres.

Mount Hood National Forest extends south from the strikingly beautiful Columbia River Gorge across more than sixty miles of mountains, lakes, and streams. It is located 20 miles east of the city of Portland and the northern part of the Willamette River Valley. Mount Hood itself is 11,239 feet (3,426m) above sea level. Popular attractions include fishing, boating, camping, and hiking in the summer. Other popular pastimes are hunting in the fall and skiing and other snow sports in the winter. Attractions include Austin and Bagby Hot Springs, Multnomah Falls (620 feet), Timothy Lake, and portions of the Oregon Trail, as well as Eagle Creek Trail that lead to many waterfalls. Berry-picking and mushroom collecting are also popular in the park. For many area residents, a trip in December to find and cut the family Christmas tree is a long-standing tradition. Mt. Hood National Forest encompasses 1,067,043 acres.

Gettysburg National Military Park conserves the 5 square miles (13 square km) site of the pivotal battle in the American Civil War (1861-1865) and is the setting of President Abraham Lincoln’s most famous speech, The Gettysburg Address. The park is located in Adams County, 38 miles southwest of Harrisburg. It offers a vast museum of monuments and memorials that compliment Pennsylvania’s natural beauty. These include such historic sites as the Soldiers’ National Monument, the National Civil War Wax Museum, the Wills House, and the Dobbin House. It offers a full array of summer programs, battlefields walks, ranger-led anniversary battle walks, evening campfire programs, and special events on select weekends. During the winter months, the park offers a special series of indoor programs that address high points of the battle and decisions of the army commanders. It has an area of 5,990 acres.

Glacier National Park set in the scenic Rocky Mountains is known for its pristine meadows, ridged mountains, and spectacular lakes. It is located in northwestern Montana near the Canadian border. It is adjacent to Canada’s Waterton Lakes National Park and the two parks compose the Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. The Native American Blackfeet, Salish, and Kootenai tribes that originally inhabited this entire area were eventually forced onto reservations near or next ot Glacier Park. At the end of the 19th century, a brief but unfruitful “Gold Rush” struck; abandoned mines can be found around the park. Presiden Taft signed teh bill establishing Glacier as a national park. With over 700 miles of trais, Glacier Park is a paradise for visitors seeking to explore wilderness and natural beauty. Attractions include staying in historic chalets and lodges and using old transportation. It has an area of 1,001,572 acres.

Olympic National Park encompasses most of the Olympic mountains and is famous for its Pacific Ocean beaches, rain forests, valleys and glacier capped peaks. A total of more than 60 active glaciers are found in the park. It is located in western Washington and contains one ofthe most pristine rain forests in the Pacific Northwest. The park includes a strip of Pacific Northwest shoreline geographically separated from the rest of the park. In addition to the luch rain forest the havy rainfall adds to the production of immense conifers. The park is accessible by the roads on its outer edge; 95 percent of the park is designated as wilderness. It is a main attraction for hikers and backpackers even though the west-facing valleys receive an average of 12 feet of rain a year. Three Indian reservations lie within the park. The highest peak in the park is Mount Olympus at 7,965 feet (2,428 meters) and the total area is 922,651 acres.

Vicksburg National Military Park commemorates the campaign, siege, and defense of Vicksburg. It is located 50 miles west of Jackson on the Mississippi River.During the Civil War, in 1863, Vicksburg was the scene of a 47-day siege by Union troops under General Ulysses S. Grant. The Federal capture of the town marked a turning point in the war when the Confederate Army surrendered to Grant’s forces on July 4, 1863. The park contains memorials, over 1,340 monuments and wayside markers and exhibits such as the restored Union gunboad USS Cairo. The Gray and Blue Naval Museum contains the world’s largest collection of Civil War gunboat models. The Old Court House (1858) is a museum displaying Confederate artifacts. A 16 mile tour runs parallel to Union siege and Confederate defense lines. The park contains Vicksburg National Cemetery. The park encompasses a total area of 1,852 acres.

Chickasaw National Recreation Area is well known for its natural springs and mineral waters. In 1902, the government purchased 640 acres of land from the Chickasaw Native Americans in order to preserve these waters. The recreation area is located in south central Oklahoma, between Dallas, Texas and Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. In 1902, it was originally authorized as Sulfur Springs Reservation. In 1906, it was redesignated as Platt National Park. Today’s name of Chickasaw refers to the Native North American Chickasaw tribe, related to the Choctaw, that inhabited the area. The park is a popular destination for family reunions, including some families who have returned to the site for over half a century. It has extensive camping facilities, boating on the lake of the Arbuckeles, and over 20 miles of hiking trails. It has an area of 9,888 acres.

El Yunque National Forest is the United States’ only tropical rain forest and it is located on the northeastern end of the island of Puerto Rico. Some of the forest’s highest elevations receive more than 20 feet of rain a year. There are approximately 6 species of snakes in the forest that are non-poisonous and are rarely seen by humans. The Amazon Vitatta parrot lives in the forest and is the only parrot native to the island. It was added to the endangered species list in 1968. Another intriguing forest animal is the Coquí frog that climbs to the forest’s canopy during overly humid periods, then, to get to lower parts of the forest, jumps down; this natural phenomenon inspires the idea that it rains frogs in the forest. Approximately 1,250,000 visit the forest every year. The cool river pools, shady picnic areas, scenic roadways, and natural trails make the forest a fun recreational destination. The forest encompasses 28,002 acres.

Chaco Culture National Historical Park preserves the most stunning ancient ruins north of Mexico. It is located in northwestern New Mexico between Albuquerque and Farmington. The area contains 13 major pre-Columbian Indian ruins and more than 300 smaller archaeological sites, all reflecting the lifestyle of pueblo culture between AD 900 and 1150. The excavations indicate that the Chacoans were highly skilled in tool-making, farming, pottery, and masonry. Many of the buildings may have been aligned with the lunar and solar cycles. The Hopi and the Pueblo people consider the site sacred. The park has an area of 33,977 acres.

Acadia National Park was originally established in 1916 as Sieur de Monts National Monument by Woodrow Wilson and was renamed Acadia in 1929. It is situated in central eastern Maine along the Atlantic Coast. Acadia was the first national park in the eastern United States. It encompasses such sites as Mount Desert Islands, Baker Island, Isle au Haut, and a portion of the mainland of the Schoodic Peninsula. The park has a rugged coastal region; the inland part contains lakes and mountains created by glacial movement. Other favorite areas of the park include the Anemone Caves and the Sieur de Monts Springs. Acadia has an abundance of marine life because of its cold, shallow gulf environment and its location at the crossroads of the northern and temperate zones. The park has an area of 47,390 acres.

Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park is well known for its active volcanoes, Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. It is located southwest of Hilo on the southern shores of Hawaii Island, commonly known as the Big Island. Mauna Loa is in the south-central part of the island and it is the earth’s largest volcano. It is a shield volcano that, since 1843, has erupted over thirty times. Kīlauea is considered the earth’s most active volcano though it is the youngest in Hawaii. It is also a shield volcano and since 1983 has been erupting continuously. Other interesting attractions in the park include the Ka’u Desert and its unusual lava formations and tree-fern rain forest that receives around 100 inches (2,500 mm) of rainfall annually. The park has an area of 1,348 square kilometers.

Denali National Park was originally established as Mount McKinley National Park. It became Denali National Monument in 1978, and was renamed to its current name in 1980. It is located in central Alaska and encompasses the large glaciers of the Alaskan Range. Denali is the Athapaskan Indian name for Mount McKinley and means “the Great One.” Mount McKinley is the highest mountain in North America at 20,320 feet (6,194 m). Most of the park is above the timberline and consists of little plant life outside of lichens and mosses. It has an abundant wildlife including brown bears, caribou, moose, and timber wolves. The park has an area of 6,075,107 acres.

White Mountain National Forest is a complex ecosystem that makes up fourteen percent of New Hampshire. It is located mainly in the northern part of the state although a small portion extends into Maine. It owes its existence to the Weeks Act of 1911 which allowed for the government to purchase land and establish national forests. The White Mountain National Forest provides recreational activities such as skiing, camping, rock and ice climbing, canoeing, biking. It has over 20 campgrounds, 1,200 miles of hiking trails, and the 34 mile Kancamagus Scenic Byway which traverses the heart of the White Mountains. Another attraction is Mount Washington, which is the highest peak north of the Smoky Mountains and east of the Mississippi. The forest is also used for logging and other limited commercial enterprises. It has a total area of 784,505 acres.

The Memorial was established to honor those who fought in the greatest naval battle of the War of 1812, the Battle of Lake Erie. It is located in the popular resort village of Put-In-Bay on Ohio’s South Bass Island. It is accessible by ferries, private boats and airplanes. During the battle, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry attacked and captured a British squadron of warships. This secured Lake Erie for the newly created United States. The Memorial now celebrates the lasting peace between the United States, Great Britain, and Canada. It is a Doric column that is the world’s most massive Doric column and rises 352 feet (107 m) over Lake Erie. Architect Joseph H. Freedlander designed it “to inculcate the lessons of international peace by arbitration and disarmament.” It has a total area of 25 acres.

This park is part of the entire grand basin region, which is made up of numerous small basins. It is located in east-central Nevada and is bordered by the Wasatch Mountains to the east and the Sierra Nevada to the west. The basins are separated by hundreds of north-south mountain ranges which make Nevada the most mountainous state in the country. Main attractions include the Lehman Caves, Wheeler Peaks (13,065 ft), and the groves of ancient bristlecone pines. The area’s rivers, streams, and creeks have no outlet to the Pacific Ocean or to the Gulf of Mexico. The valleys receive little precipitation; most is from snow or summer thunderstorms. The park’s differing elevations provide for a large variety of animal life and vegetation; it contains over 800 species of plants. It has an area of 77,180 acres.

Fort McHenry National Monument is the birthplace of the United States’ National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner. It is located southeast of Baltimore’s inner harbor, adjacent to the Patapsco River. Over 1,000 Americans protected this star-shaped fort whose design allowed for the guard at each point to look at the other side’s point, during the War of 1812. Throughout a fierce battle the American flag continually waved in the background. This inspired Francis Scott Key to write the anthem. The fort is named after James McHenry. British ships were unable to penetrate into Baltimore harbor. The fort is also a later Civil War prison for military and political prisoners of war. It has an area of 43 acres.

Mount Rushmore National Memorial is a granite depiction of four United States presidents carved into the side of the Black Hills Mountains and is located near Keystone, South Dakota. The four presidents memorialized were chosen as representations of the first 150 years of American history. The design by sculptor Gutzon Borglum includes George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln. Historian Doane Robinson conceived the idea of the memorial in order to promote tourism and worked with Senator Peter Norbeck. Over 400 workers were hired to complete the memorial. Over 2 million tourists visit the site every year. Another attraction, 17 miles away, is a carving of Crazy Horse on a different side of the Black Hills. It is the largest outdoor sculpture in the world. The memorial has an area of 1,278 acres.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America’s most visited national park. It is located on the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, and is part of the Appalachian Mountain chain. It is commonly known as “Wildflower National Park” for its spectacular display of flowers and plants. Attractions include hiking trails, scenic roads, bicycling through Caves Cove, and visiting preserved historical buildings such as log cabins and churches. The park is a popular hiking destination and contains over 800 miles of trails, many leading to waterfalls on lush creeks and rivers. Camping, horseback riding, and fishing are also popular pastimes. Wildlife includes bear (approximately 1,500), elk, white-tailed deer, and more than 200 species of birds. The park has an area of 244,742 located in Tennessee.

Shenandoah National Park is part of the Blue Ridge Mountains and is located 75 miles west of Washington, D.C. A main attraction is the tranquil 105-mile Skyline Drive which runs along the ridge of the mountain range and through the forest. A popular time to take the drive is during mid-late October when autumn turns the drive into a canopy of multi-colored leaves. The road is a National Scenic Byway and is the only public road in the park. The park is designated a popular destination for hikers. It has over 500 miles of hiking trails including 101 miles of the Appalachian Trail. Campers can enjoy campgrounds or mountain top backcountry camping. Wildlife includes white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and bobcats. The park has an area of 199,017 acres.

Arches National Park is well known for over 2,000 natural sandstone arches and includes other geological phenomena. It is located near Moab in eastern Utah. Attractions include the world-renowned Delicate Arch, which is often used as a symbol for the state of Utah, and the longest arch, Landscape Arch, which is 306 feet from base to base. A popular pastime is a tour of the Fiery Furnace, a maze-like passage with monolithic columns, spires, and arches. The extraordinary land formations and the rich, contrasting colors, make this park one of the most breathtaking sites in the United States. The layers of sediment and the rock formations reveal millions of years of erosion, deposition, and other geologic events. Wildlife includes falcon, red fox, big horn sheep, and mountain lion. The park has an area of 76,358 acres.

Great Sand Dunes National Park has the highest sand dunes in North America. It is located 35 miles northeast of Alamosa, Colorado, on the eastern side of the San Luis Valley. The dunes rise 750 feet above the valley floor and were formed from deposits of the Rio Grande and its tributaries. The area is known for its high winds which continually change the shape of the dunes. Hiking is permitted but with harsh zones marked by extremely high temperatures, up to 140 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer. There are multiple streams flowing around the perimeter of the dunes. Sandboarding, sledding, and skiing are fun pastimes in the park. Other attractions include Medano Creek, alpine lakes, pine and spruce forests, grasslands, and wetlands. The park encompasses an area of 85,000 acres.

Everglades National Park is the largest subtropical wilderness in the United States and was created to protect a fragile ecosystem. It is located in southern Florida reaching the greater Miami metropolitan area on the east, touching the Gulf of Mexico on the west, and extending south to Florida Bay. It has the largest mangrove ecosystem in the western hemisphere and is commonly known as a “river of grass” since much of the land is covered in saw grass. This grass grows to a height of 10 to 15 feet. Many low islands, called “hammocks,” can be found; all covered with mud and varying trees and shrubs. Most of the park lies either in fresh or brackish water wetlands and no place in the park is more than 8 feet above sea level. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1979. Attractions include birdwatching and viewing rare and endangered species such as the Burmese python. The park has an area of 1,509,000 acres.

Homestead National Monument of America is emblematic of the American people who endured hardships to pioneer life. It is located west of Beatrice in southeastern Nebraska. The monument commemorates the Homestead Act of 1862. This law allowed Americans, including freed slaves, to apply for and receive a deed of title for land outside of the original 13 colonies. This key law provided an opportunity for Americans to attempt to live the “American Dream” and played a significant role in westward expansion in the late 19th century. More than one million citizens became landowners; each one of the applicants received a 160-acre plot of land. One of the area’s attractions is the Daniel Freeman home, the first land grant under the Homestead Act. Views of the tallgrass prairie from the Heritage Center allow visitors to envision the pristine backdrops the pioneers explored. The site has an area of 195 acres.

Kisatchie National Forest encompasses beautiful scenes of meadows, piney woods, bottomland swamps, rocky rapids, and white sandy beaches. It is located in northern and central Louisiana across seven parishes. The Native Americans of the region were the Caddo and Natchez groups. The word Kisatchie is most likely Caddo in origin and means “long cane.” The varying landscape of this forest allows for horseback riding, ATV riding, and hunting. The forest has over 100 miles of trails and is divided into five units. These are called Rangers Districts, i.e. Calcasieu, Caney, Catahoula, Kisatchie, and Winn. Calcasieu has the popular Kincaid and Valentine lakes. Parts of the Kisatchie district are rocky and steep. The central region includes cypress trees that hang like canopies along the bayou. Wildlife includes armadillos, alligators, and poison oak snakes. The site has an area of 604,000 acres.

Blue Ridge Parkway is the spectacular non-commercial motor route that winds throughout the Appalachian Mountains. It follows the mountains through North Carolina and Virginia with altitudes varying between 600 and 6,000 feet (180–1,800 m). In the 1930s, the difficult task of completing this road along the mountainous terrain was undertaken as a Depression-era public works project. It was designed and constructed in sections, and it was not until 1987 that the parkway was fully completed. It is the nation’s first and longest rural parkway and it stretches from the Shenandoah National Park in the north to the Great Smoky Mountains in the south. There are multiple road entrances along the way, each directing motorists north or south. Often called “America’s Favorite Drive,” the road explores the George Washington, Jefferson, and Pisgah and Nantahala National Forests. It is 469 miles (755 km) long.

Bombay Hook National Wildlife Refuge was established in recognition of the importance for migratory bird protection and conservation. It was purchased from a local landowner with federal duck stamp funds. It is located in Delaware and was established in 1937 as part of a chain of refuges extending from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. The focus of the refuge is to provide waterfowl, migrating along the Atlantic Flyway, with northern breeding grounds to southern breeding grounds, protected areas for rest and nourishment. The public enjoys visiting this refuge for opportunities to enjoy the wildlife, participate in nature programs, and learn about wildlife photography. This refuge comprises 15,978 acres, four-fifths of which is tidal salt marsh.

Saratoga National Historical Park preserves the site of the Battle of Saratoga, an important American victory during the American Revolutionary War. This site is where military forces defeated a major British enemy. The battle is known as the “turning point of the American Revolution.” The park is located in eastern New York state on the upper Hudson River, southeast of Saratoga Springs. Visitors come to see landmarks such as the Battlefield of Saratoga Monument, General Philip Schuyler’s house, and the Boot Monument of Benedict Arnold which is the only war monument in the United States that does not bear the name of its recipient. It has an area of 3,392 acres.

Shawnee National Forest is the state of Illinois’ number one outdoor recreation attraction. It is located in the Ozark and Shawnee Hills of southern Illinois and is the state’s largest public forested area. Trails, wildlife, foliage, and wilderness lend to recreational opportunities such as big game hunting. Short and long equestrian trails, bird watching, and rock climbing attract visitors who enhance the local economy. President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated the Illinois and Shawnee Purchase units to be the Shawnee National Forest in 1939. These forests consist of about 280,000 acres of federally managed land and is in Illinois National Forest.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park is considered one of the first gateways into the west where large game animals, followed by the American Indians, and eventually American settlers, made migratory journeys. It is located on the border south of Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia. This national historical park was carved by wind and water and forms a natural break in the Appalachian Mountains. The park offers scenes of natural beauty as well as historical activities. Attractions include tours of the Hensley Settlement, trips to the Cudjo’s Cave, and participation in festivals and concerts as well as programs about the early settlers. It was established in 1940. This national historical park is 20,508 acres.

Harpers Ferry National Historical Park has been the setting for many American historical events including the daring raid by the famed abolitionist John Brown during the Civil War. It is located where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet at Harpers Ferry. Many museums are part of this great park and showcase not only the history of the area, but also the scenic beauty. In fact, Thomas Jefferson deemed the area “one of the most stupendous scenes in nature.” Visitors can enjoy activities such as fishing, boating, hiking and white-water rafting. It was established in 1963 by the United States Congress after it was originally a national monument in 1944. This park consists of 2,287 acres.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park is named in honor of President Roosevelt and commemorates his role as a conservationist. It is located in the badlands of North Dakota and is separated into north and south units. It is here in the badlands of North Dakota that Roosevelt became interested in the cattle business. However, after a few visits, he became more and more conscious of the damage the cattle industry did to the land and to the wildlife. Both units of the park have scenic drives and dozens of miles of foot and horse trails as well as opportunities for back country hiking and camping. It became a national park in 1978. Theodore Roosevelt National Park shelters 110 square miles of land that includes the North Unit, the South Unit, and the Elkhorn Ranch. It has an area of 70,448 acres.

Fort Moultrie (Fort Sumter National Monument) encompasses a series of forts located near Charleston, South Carolina, on Sullivan’s Island. Three times this area has been renovated. It now portrays the major periods of its history. These periodic forts steadily move backwards in time from the World War II Harbor Entrance Control Post to the site of a 1776 Palmetto-log fort. The battle of Sullivan’s Island was the Revolutionary War’s first decisive victory of American forces over the British navy. Commander Colonel William Moultrie for whom the fort is named, saved the city of Charleston from British capture. It was here at Fort Sumter that the Confederate troops fired the first shots of the Civil War. The forts cover 200 acres of land.

Effigy Mounds National Monument preserves earth mounds created by Native American cultures. These mounds are in various shapes of animals and birds or in cone and linear shapes. This place marks ceremonial and sacred sites of prehistoric man and contain earth effigies for the departed. It is located in the Allamakee and Clayton Counties of Iowa and is divided into three prehistoric sites: the North Unit which contains 67 mounds, the South Unit which contains 29 mounds, and the Sny Magill Unit which contains 112 mounds. In 1949, it was established as a National Monument by President Harry Truman. The site also offers visitors scenic areas that include forests, tall grass prairies, wetlands, and rivers. The monument covers 2,526 acres of land.

Frederick Douglass National Historic Site is named after and honors the great African American spokesman, Frederick Douglass, who had the courage and persistence to fight for liberty and justice for all. This site is located in southeast Washington, D.C. and includes Douglass’ estate of Cedar Hill. The estate includes the main house, the gardens, and an extensive collection of personal effects. Douglass, who wrote and spoke for human rights and equality, also served as a U.S. Minister to Haiti and as a U.S. Marshall for the District of Columbia. The site has an area of 9 acres.

Ozark National Scenic Riverways is the first national park established to protect a wild river system. It is located in the Ozarks of southern Mississippi. Two of America’s clearest and most beautiful spring-fed rivers, the Current and the Jacks Fork, make up this riverway. The site offers horseback riding, hunting, hiking, fishing, camping, and sightseeing as some of the major recreational activities. The Current River is touted as one of the best float streams by the park service because of the contributions of large springs. Thousands of visitors congregate at this scenic park to enjoy its natural beauty as well as the solitude. In 1962, President John F. Kennedy endorsed the formation of Ozark National Scenic Riverways. However, it was President Lyndon B. Johnson who signed it into law in 1964. This riverway is over 80,000 acres of rugged Ozark land.

Ellis Island National Monument is a part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument which is governed by the U.S. National Park Service. It is located predominantly in Jersey City, New Jersey; however, there is a small area that is part of New York City. Ellis Island replaced the Castle Garden Immigration Depot in Manhattan and sits at the mouth of Hudson River in the New York Harbor. It is the best known as the gateway for immigrants entering the United States from 1892–1954. It was established as a national monument on May 11, 1965 and is named after Samuel Ellis a colonial New Yorker. Today, Ellis Island houses a museum that depicts the immigration screening process as well as the Statue of Liberty and sits on 58 acres of land.

George Rogers Clark National Historical Park is near what is believed to be the site of Fort Sackville. It is located in Knox County, Indiana, and honors Lieutenant Colonel George Rogers Clark, a Revolutionary War hero. Clark and his troops traveled mid-winter, in freezing weather, to aid the French in a victory over British forces. This victory marks one of the greatest feats of the American Revolution. The fort’s capture assured the United States claim to the western frontier which included the modern era states of Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin. It has an area of 26 acres of land.

Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is named after the 15 miles of vibrant sandstone cliffs along the shore of Lake Superior in Michigan. This park offers vivid scenery and a large array of outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, and sightseeing. The cliffs rise up to 200 feet above lake level and are naturally made. There are a variety of sights such as caves and arches and turrets that are in the forms of castles and fortresses. Points of interest include Chapel Rock, Battleship Row, Indian Head, and Miner’s Castle. In 1966, the United States Congress authorized Pictured Rocks as the first officially designated National Lakeshore in the United States. The National Lakeshore was established to preserve the shore’s natural beauty and provide recreational use in the area. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore is 70,000 acres and follows the south shore of Lake Superior for 42 miles.

Apostle Islands National Lakeshore scenery was created by glaciers that formed much of the landscape in North America. When the glaciers melted away, erosion created the islands. This national lakeshore encompasses 21 islands and is located on the northern tip of Wisconsin on the shore of Lake Superior. It was believed that these islands were called home by Native Indians before being discovered by French explorers. The French are credited with naming the islands Apostle meaning 12 because it was significant practice to geographic location. In 1970, United States Senator Gaylord Nelson supported the federal legislation establishing the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore. With over 69,342 acres of lakeshore to explore, visitors can hike, paddle, and sail to experience the jewels of Lake Superior.

Voyageurs National Park commemorates the French-Canadian fur traders who were among the first Europeans to travel through the area. It is located in northern Minnesota near the town of International Falls. This national park is primarily accessible by water. Visitors rent houseboats, kayaks, or canoes in order to enjoy the site, which is known for its water resources and is popular with outdoor enthusiasts. Although the park was proposed in 1891, it took almost eighty years to pass legislation for its establishment. Camping, fishing, ice fishing, and snowshoeing are other outdoor adventure activities visitors enjoy. The park covers 218,054 acres of land.

Cumberland Island National Seashore is the largest and southernmost barrier island off Georgia’s Golden Isles. It is only accessible via ferry and is best known for its beaches, sea forests, dunes, freshwater lakes, and marshes. Visitors can enjoy guided tours by rangers or explore on their own. The Cumberland Island National Seashore museum presents a chance to investigate area history such as the story of the early Timucua Native Americans, explorers, and revolutionaries. Inventor Eli Whitney and industrialists from different periods of time are also showcased. The site has an area of 36,415 acres.

Block Island National Wildlife Refuge is an important habitat for wildlife and is a place where visitors learn to appreciate the natural environment. It is located about 12 miles off the coast of Rhode Island. About 10,000 years ago, glaciers formed this natural refuge that now houses a very fragile ecosystem. No other place shares its natural features or balance of flora and fauna. There are more than 350 freshwater ponds fed by natural springs and 17 miles of unspoiled beaches. Visitors come to the island to enjoy the surf, sand, and wildlife. Over one-quarter of the island is preserved by the Nature Conservancy and will never be developed. The refuge, covering 46 acres of beach, was established in 1973 and occupies part of a former United States Coast Guard Flight Station.

Lowell National Historical Park was established to recognize the industrial age of America before World War I. The area was known as a textile mill city where the roots of the urban working class were formed in the early stages of the industrial transformation. The park is located in Lowell, Massachusetts and includes points of interest such as the Boot Cotton Mills Museum, a fully restored manufacturing site that recreates the textile manufacturing processes of the 19th century and the memorial of Jack Kerouac, a 1950s “beat” writer and native of Lowell. Kerouac described the declining state of Lowell in many of his books. Also of interest in the park is the Patrick J. Morgan Cultural Center which features the memoirs of a diverse group who made Lowell their home and created the workforce of the mills. The park was established in 1978 and is comprised of 148 acres of sites in and around the city of Lowell.

American Memorial Park venerates the veterans and civilians who gave their lives in the Mariana’s Campaign of World War II, one of the most decisive series of battles of the Pacific theater. This park features a Court of Honor and a Flag Circle as well as a Living Memorial. The Court of Honor and Flag Circle house, through inscription, the names of over 5,000 people who gave their lives for this campaign. These names include soldiers, seamen, airmen, and islanders. The Living Memorial allows visitors to experience the same activities as the servicemen and women. The park was established in 1978 and is governed by the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. American Memorial Park covers 133 acres of beaches and 30 acres of wetlands and mangrove forest.

War in the Pacific National Historical Park honors the many lives lost in the battles of the Pacific theater, especially in Guam. It is located in the North Pacific on the island of Guam near the villages of Piti, Asan, and Agat and serves as a silent reminder of the sacrifices that took place in the battlefields, gun emplacements, and trenches. It houses a Memorial Wall which includes the names of over 16,000 wartime casualties suffered on Guam. This park is known for its turquoise beaches, warm climate, and WWII history as well as over 3,500 marine species and 200 species of coral. Visitors can participate in activities such as hiking, horseback riding, snorkeling, and scuba diving. It has an area of 2,037 acres of land.

San Antonio Missions National Historical Park includes four 18th century Spanish missions which, along with the Alamo, were Spanish outposts along its northern frontier. It is in San Antonio, Texas. These missions were established by Catholic religious orders, the Franciscans, in order to acculturate and Christianize the local natives. Concepción is reputedly the oldest unrestored stone church in the country and San Jose is known as the “Queen of Missions.” The Alamo is operated by the Daughters of the Republic of Texas and owned by the State of Texas. The following missions can be found as part of this park from north to south and are still used as active churches today: Mission Concepción, Mission San Jose, Mission San Juan, and Mission Espada. The atmosphere among the churches is peaceful and enhanced by surrounding grass and woodlands. The park has an area of 816 acres.

Frank Church River of No Return Wilderness is the second largest contiguous unit of the National Wilderness Preservation System in the lower 48 states. This region includes the lands of six national forests as well as old Idaho Primitive Area and Salmon Breaks Primitive Area. The wilderness area is located in northern central Idaho and, because of its size, houses all types of wildlife such as lions, wolves, deer, coyote, fox, and elk. It is named after Idaho Senator Frank Church, a major advocate for environmental legislation, and the Salmon River, nicknamed the “River of No Return” because of its difficult and rapid backcountry waters. There are over 2,616 miles of trails available. Visitors enjoy horseback riding, hiking, and backpacking. Jetboat activities are allowed on the park. This Wilderness was established by the United States Congress in 1980 and covers 2.3 million acres of land.

National Park of American Samoa offers the best of American Samoa’s reefs, shores, rainforest, and scenery. Three park units are located on three different islands within the territory, Tutuila, Ofu and Olosega, and Ta‘u. Each island features various fauna, flora, and marine life. The Tutuila Unit is the only island accessible by car and attracts the most visitors who enjoy hiking, snorkeling, and scuba diving. Ofu and Olosega is only accessible by airplane and offers picturesque beaches, coral reefs, and scenery, as well as some of the best snorkeling in the territory. Ta‘u also, is only accessible by plane. Ta‘u is best known for its sea cliffs, some of the tallest in the world, along the Lata Mountains. This park was established in 1988 after the National Park Service agreed to a fifty-year lease of the park land with the Samoan village councils. The three islands cover 10,500 acres.

Weir Farm National Historic Site was the retreat of three generations of American artists beginning with Julian Alden Weir. This site is located in the hills of Branchville near Ridgefield and Wilton, Connecticut and commemorates the lifestyle of American artists, their art, and the development of the American Impressionism. This place, a haven of pastoral landscapes, vistas, and buildings, inspired much art. Following Weir’s footsteps were his daughter Dorothy Weir Young and son-in-law, sculptor Mahonri Young. Both continued the elder Weir’s artistic legacy. After Young’s death, the farm was sold to New England painters Sperry and Doris Andrews who also continued the legacy. The Weir Farm includes the Weir House, Weir Pond, and the Weir and Young Studios, along with gardens, barns, and a short hiking trail. The farm site is on 60 acres of land.

Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Reserve is located on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands and is home to very large mangrove forests, coral reefs, and a submarine canyon. It is a tropical eco-system that combines Prehistoric and colonial times that can be seen in its vibrant sites and ruins. Visitors are drawn to this place because of its magnificent scenery, as well as the blend of culture that this beautiful island and its people offer. It is documented that explorer Christopher Columbus, landed on St. Croix. A flag marks the spot. This pristine bay and preserve offer amazing drives with beautiful scenery. The site can also be enjoyed by kayak. The park was established in 1992 by Congress and covers 945 acres of land.

Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historical Park recognizes conservation history as well as the evolving nature of land stewardship by American conservationists George Perkins Marsh, Frederick Billings, and Laurence and Mary Rockefeller. It is nestled in the rolling hills and pastures of Woodstock, Vermont and has on display maple trees, hemlocks, bridges, and stone walls. The Rockefellers gave the site to the federal government; the park was created by an Act of Congress and signed into law by President George H.W. Bush in 1992. Visitors are able to take tours of the gardens and a mansion as well as learn about conservation and stewardship. The park covers an area of 643 acres.

Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve protects the remaining tallgrass ecosystem in the United States. At one time, tallgrass prairies covered over 400,000 square miles of North America. Now, less than four percent remains of the tallgrass remains, primarily in Kansas. The reserve is located in the Flint Hills region of Kansas and includes a limestone barn, a one room schoolhouse, and an 1881 ranch house. Grazing and fire are two important factors for maintaining the ecosystem. Plants are grazed to stimulate growth with burns in spring for biological activity and nutrient exchanges. Fire is nature’s way for starting over. Visitors can enjoy educational and living history programs that provide information about the ecology of the area. On site one can learn about customs, lunches, dishes, work, and recess and participate in activities such as churning butter, making corn husk dolls, and playing old-fashioned games. The park was signed into law by Congress in 1996 and is on 10,861 acres.

Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site honors the African American airmen who served in World War II. This site is located at Moton Field in Tuskegee, Alabama, where the first pilots, known as the Tuskegee Airmen, trained for battle in World War II. The exceptional performances of over 16,000 men and women during the War are celebrated at this site. Visitors learn about the Tuskegee Airmen through historic movies and tours of the Hangar Museum as well as through scavenger hunts and other activities especially designed for children. It was established in 1998 as a National Historic Site.