Saguaro National Park, located in southeastern Arizona, is a testament to the natural beauty and unique ecosystems of the Sonoran Desert. Established as a national monument in 1933 and later redesignated as a national park in 1994, it encompasses two separate districts: the Rincon Mountain District (East) and the Tucson Mountain District (West). These districts collectively protect over 91,000 acres of pristine desert wildernes
Dry Tortugas National Park, located in the Gulf of Mexico, southwest of Key West, Florida, has a history steeped in exploration and military significance. The park comprises a cluster of seven small islands, the most notable being Garden Key, which houses the historic Fort Jefferson.
Lassen Volcanic National Park, located in northern California, boasts a unique history deeply tied to volcanic activity and the conservation movement. The park is home to Lassen Peak, the southernmost volcano in the Cascade Range.
Indiana Dunes National Park, situated along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, boasts a rich and diverse history that has shaped its unique landscape. Native American tribes, including the Potawatomi, inhabited the region for centuries, leaving behind traces of their culture. European settlers arrived in the 19th century, initiating industrial activities like steel production and shipping.
Located in the US state of Kentucky, Mammoth Cave National Park is a place of cultural and geological significance. The cave’s mazelike corridors were originally discovered by prehistoric Native American civilizations, who left behind artifacts that attest to the cave’s significance in their lives. It became a popular tourist destination in the 19th century, and in 1941 it was officially designated as a national park.
Denali, the highest peak in North America, is located in Alaska’s huge Denali National Park and Preserve. In 1917, the area was designated as Mount McKinley National Park, making it the country’s first wildlife preserve of its kind. The Athabascan name for the mountain, which means “the high one” or “the great one,” inspired the park’s new name in 1980.
Established in 1929, Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, USA, protects and displays the breathtaking Teton Range. The efforts made to preserve this extraordinary landscape are chronicled in its history. Locals and early 20th-century environmentalists saw the significance of the Tetons and worked to have them protected.
The ancient and extraordinary cliff home of Montezuma is preserved at Montezuma Castle National Monument in central Arizona, USA. It was not constructed by the Aztec monarch Montezuma but rather by the native Sinagua people about 700 years ago, despite the name’s implication otherwise. The Sinagua’s creativity as builders is on full display in this five-story limestone building set within a limestone alcove.
Located in north-eastern Arizona, Petrified Forest National Park is a testimony to ancient landscapes and a geological wonder. Petrified wood dating back over 200 million years to the Late Triassic period is preserved in this national park, which was first established as a national monument in 1906.
Established in 1935, Shenandoah National Park protects a large portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Virginia, USA. The park spans along Skyline Drive and is home to stunning scenery, including waterfalls and a variety of plant and animal life. The Civilian Conservation Corps played a key role in the park’s development, and its history is entwined with the forced relocation of households during the Great Depression.
