See Americas Wonders and History via the Park System
Oct 18 '02 (Updated Aug 03 '04)
The Bottom Line Please try and see some of these places. Local or far away they are all worth your time.
At fifty something years old I have one bit of information I can tell you with complete confidence. The best way to see and learn about America's beauty, history and heritage is through the National Park System!!
HISTORY
Yellowstone National Park was the first of all National parks ever set aside for future generations. This was done over 125 years ago. There are now almost four hundred different parks, monuments and sites on this list.
NATIONAL PARKS
The sites cover different areas of importance. The first park and many that followed were picked because of their grandeur. These were west of the Mississippi. Yosemite, Sequoia, Crater Lake, and Glacier National Park are examples. Later the park service realized that in the east there were places to be preserved. Thus Acadia, Great Smokey, and Shenandoah Valley were established as National Parks.
NATIONAL MONUMENTS
In the early 1900's Theodore Roosevelt had a law passed that gave presidents the right to have certain geological, historical, and scientific structures and areas taken under federal control. This was to help protect and maintain these areas. These are called National Monuments. Some examples are the Agate Fossil Beds, The Statue of Liberty, Organ Pipe Cactus, And Devils Tower.
HISTORIC SITES
As out country grew people understood that our historic sites were of great value and important places of remembrance. The park system then started adding places such as Plymouth Rock, Saratoga, Gettysburg, Minute Man, and other historic areas to the protected and maintained list.
INFLUENTIAL PEOPLE
Other sites were and are preserved commemorating influential people of our country. The Edison home and workshop, Carl Sandburg Home, and Frederic Douglas Historic Site are examples.
PRESIDENTS
Many of our great presidents have particular places of honour. Washington, Lincoln, and Jefferson Memorials are all in Washington DC. Grants Tomb is in NY. Go see Mount Rushmore in South Dakota. We also have other sites such as birth places and libraries dedicated to some of them.
AFRICAN AMERICANS
African Americans made their mark on our history. Booker T. Washington, Harpers Ferry, New Orleans Jazz, and Boston African American National Historic Sites and Monuments teach us of these contributions.
WOMAN
Woman are honored in many places also. Clara Barton, Eleanore Roosevelt, Maggie L Walker, Rosie the Riveter-World War II Homefront, and Womans Rights National Historic sites are just some of these places.
RECREATION AREAS
Areas where people and nature get together are set aside and maintained by the parks department. There is the Fire Island National Seashore, Canaveral National Seashore, and Lake Meridith National Recreation Area too. There are many of these.
WHERE TO GO
Every state except Delaware has these parks, monuments and sites. How do you get to them? Start walking, get in a car, get on a train or bus. Take a plane to some of those outside the continental US. Alaska has over a dozen places to visit and Hawaii has many more again.
PACIFIC AND ATLANTIC
Did you know there are other places outside the states where there are US National Parks. Yes, in territories. American Somoa is one that is well out in the Pacific Ocean. Much closer and I was fortunate to visit is the US Virgin Islands National Park. It was awesome and my wife and I did some fantastic snorkeling there.
URBAN SITES
Some are in the middle of cities in urban areas. I have been to Philadelphia many times. See Independence hall, the Liberty Bell and so much more. New York has seven sites in it's domain. The Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island are must see places. In Manhattan itself are four or five other places to see.
Check out Bostons Liberty Trail. Here you walk along the streets of the city and see many many of the important sites that helped our country gain its independence.
There are so many scenic, interesting, and historical places to see. If going by car get on an interstate and go. If you have plenty of time take the local roads.
SIMPLICITY
To make things easier the parks use abbreviations.
NP National Park
NM National Monument
NHS National Historic Site
NRA National Recreation Area
NS National Seashore
NL National Lake Shore
NBP National Battlefield Park
IHS International Historic Site
There are many others but this should help.
So you are planning to go. Great! Get some information first.
RESERVATIONS
Many of the places are close by and many are a trek. Call or write to some of these places before you go. Many of the parks etc have campgrounds. You can get this information also by going to
www.reservations.nps.gov
This site has a lot of information. Much of the camping is first come first serve but some is reservation only. Make them early. There is a sort of lottery system for some of these places.
If you are going to make a real trip out of it try and book a few of the Parks Lodges I remember the ones in Yellowstone, Grand Canyon North, and Bryce Canyon as being some of the best. They are all very cool though. They are rustic looking. Many are made from Lodge Pole Pines. They have great restaurants too.
My wife and I have been cross country twice. The first time alone. We took two tents with us. Our little two man was for overnight stays. I'll never forget how tiny it looked one night when we were in Redwood National Park. We were in an overflow area. The tent was pitch directly underneath and next to one of these incredible trees. There were ferns all around, a slight mist in the air and total quiet. It was heavenly!
When we spent a few days in a park we opened our 9'x14' circus tent. That's what we called it because it was striped and quite large. We called this home for many a night.
We also made arrangement to stay in an inexpensive motel here and there on the trip. There is nothing like a warm comfortable bed after a hot shower.
MORE INFORMATION
These arrangements you can make after getting some names of places from the parks information. They will be happy to send a list of local places.
They will also send you a map and guide brochure of the park or site you are going to. Read these. They give a great overview of the place you are going to visit. There are also many helpful hints within them. These pamphlets are available in all the areas. They are all printed on the same stock paper and set up the same format. They are a great source of information and a nice collectors item too.
VISITORS CENTER
When ever you do go to a park the first thing I suggest is going to the visitors center. Most places have them. This is where you can get help planning your visit. There are maps, books, slide shows, dioramas, museums, and all sorts of great information in these places.
PEOPLE
The most important source of information though are the people. The Rangers, Naturalists, and other workers are all a wealth of information. I have never ever met one of these people that didn't want to tell you more and more about their park. During the busy summer months the parks hire teachers and other professionals in particular fields. They are extremely knowledgeable. Ask about walks, talks, hikes, and other programs that are led by these people. There are usually a few that you can actually reserve a spot for before you arrive.
TIME IS IMPORTANT
One thing you will probably find is that you need more time. I suggest reserving a day or two longer than what you think you need for the larger parks and add a day for the smaller ones. This way you have more time to visit the park intimately. Take the hikes on the trails. Get out of the car!!!
JUNIOR RANGER PROGRAM
Most of the parks have the Junior Ranger Program. This is for kids twelve and under. They get to spend some time with a ranger, get books and fun things to use as learning tools and there can also be some parent involvement.
PASSPORT TO YOUR NATIONAL PARKS
Another thing that I suggest is purchasing a Passport To you National Parks. This is a wonderful way for kids and adults alike to collect parks. Every park, monument, and site have an ink stamp on premises. Just ask where theirs is. They like to show you. The passport that looks and feels like a real one has pages where you take the stamp, ink it, and then make an impression in the book. This is called canceling . The stamp has the name of the park and the date on it. Also available are colourful stamps of different parks etc. These can be placed in the book.
This Passport is available at the parks but I highly recommend purchasing this book before you go. It is available through the info I will give you at the end. The reason to have it before is because it can also help you plan your trip. It has a map with all the sites on it. The flip side of the map lists every one of the almost four hundred parks, monuments, historic sites, recreation areas and more. It gives you addresses, phone numbers, and availability of things such as camping, showers, visitors centers, fishing, boating, drinking water, lodges,handicap access,bike trails restaurants, etc. They go for about seven dollars. I did write a review on these passports and some of the the parks I have visited. They are all under the National Parks area of Epinions.The book also lists handicapped facilities etc.
NATIONAL PARK PASS
Another thing you can do ahead of time for is purchase your National Parks Pass. Most of the larger parks have a $20.00 entrance fee. This is for the upkeep of the parks. It really isn't that much considering it gives seven days access to you and everyone in your private vehicle.
The pass is really a great price. It costs just $50.00 and is good for entry to all parks that charge a fee for one full year! It comes in a little folder along with a sticker and information on receiving some parks literature.
There are a very few parks that actually charge per person. This pass covers your spouse and all your children.
GOLDEN EAGLE PASS
For a nice keepsake add fifteen dollars to that fee and you can get the Golden Eagle Pass. On it is a really cool looking hologram of an eagle. the pass also gets you into other sites that are covered by the US Wildlife Service and US Forest Service.
GOLDEN AGE PASS
For those 62 years and over you get a real bargain. For just a ten dollar processing fee you get the Golden Age Pass. This gives you lifetime access to all the parks and a 50% discount on camping within the parks. Hey, I have just nine more years for this can't wait. Well, maybe I can.
GOLDEN ACCESS PASS
For the permanently handicapped and blind there is the Golden Access Pass. There is no charge. This pass is good in the same way. You and all those in your private car get free access for your lifetime. Please, my blind friends, maybe it's better if you are a passenger in your car and not the driver.
Again a reminder to the handicapped. There are many visitors centers, overlooks, walks, and trails that are handicapped accessible. Get out there and enjoy!
The Golden age pass and the Golden Access pass can only be purchased in person at any park that charges a fee.
HAVE A GREAT TIME AND COMMENT
All of you can learn and experience so much by going to these places. Take a day trip of make it a major vacation. It's wonderful. For those who know about the parks please comment and give us more ideas and experiences you may have. For those just planning let us know about your time at the parks when you return.
For your Parks pass
1-888-go parks
www.nationalparks.org
National Park Foundation
PO Box 34108
Washington DC
20043-4108
for all other park info and passports
www.nps.gov
Did I mention? Always have your gas tank above half in those open areas out west.
other reviews by popsrocks
.Acadia National Park My favorite National Park !!
.Biscayne National Park Great snorkeling
.Bryce Canyon National Park Home of the Hoo Doo
.Death Valley National Park Not so Hot
.Dry Tortugas National Park A unique Island Fort with snorkeling
Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
.Everglades National Park A safari in Florida
Fire Island National Sea Shore
Home of Franklin D Roosevelt National Historic Site
Grand Canyon National park The North Rim
Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site, Pennsylvania
Kykuit, the Rockefeller Estate
Mount Rushmore, Four Great Men Theodore Roosevelt, George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln
Pipestone National Monument
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site Teddy Roosevelt's Summer White House
Saratoga National Historic Site, New York
Shenandoah National Park
Valley Forge, Pennsylvania
Vanderbilt National Historic Site
Virgin Islands National Park WOW !!!! But don't tell anyone about it.
Wind Cave National Park
Zion National Park Amazing diversity!
DC area Monuments and places of interest.
The Washington Monument
Lincoln Memorial
Washington DC
The Korean War Veteran's Memorial
The Vietnam War Veteran's Memorial
The National World War II Memorial This is a new major memorial that will be dedicated May 2004
The National Art Gallery
The National Archives This has just reopened and it's bigger and better!!
A couple of helpful books
National Parks for Dummies A great book for planning a trip
National Geographic Guide to National Parks A good reference book
National Parks PassPort
.Collect National Parks
National Parks System
Our National Parks
Passport to the National Parks Collect Parks!!
National Parks System Things to know
New York State So much to see
New York City All the facts
Rome, Italy
London, England
Jamaica
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