State of the Forest: Shenandoah's Iconic Trees
Find out what what SNP's forest is facing, how they're handling it, what role you might be playing, and how you can help from SNP Botanist of 27 years
Parks channel tv
On now
Popular videos
The pulse of what's trending on The Parks Channel. Check out the most watched videos.
36°46'43.35"N, 103°58'46.81"W
Capulin Volcano NM
New Mexico
We hiked up the extinct Capulin Volcano!
We visited Capulin Volcano National Monument and spent an entire day exploring the volcano and the surrounding hiking trails.
Ari and Jessi Adler
36°46'43.35"N, 103°58'46.81"W
Capulin Volcano NM
New Mexico
We hiked up the extinct Capulin Volcano!
We visited Capulin Volcano National Monument and spent an entire day exploring the volcano and the surrounding hiking trails.
37°56'4.26"N, 75°22'32.44"W
Assateague Island
Maryland
Virginia
Assateague Island - The Land of Horses
Discover one of the few places in America where horses roam free. Assateague Island is a barrier island between Maryland and Virginia.
Jose Molina
37°56'4.26"N, 75°22'32.44"W
Assateague Island
Maryland
Virginia
Assateague Island - The Land of Horses
Discover one of the few places in America where horses roam free. Assateague Island is a barrier island between Maryland and Virginia.
42°22'50.07"N, 76°52'24.41"W
Watkins Glen State Park
New York
Discover the Beauty of Watkins Glen State Park
Experience one of the most visited parks in the Finger Lake region of New York State.
Jose Molina
42°22'50.07"N, 76°52'24.41"W
Watkins Glen State Park
New York
Discover the Beauty of Watkins Glen State Park
Experience one of the most visited parks in the Finger Lake region of New York State.
Explore Historical Parks
- Hawaii
Kalaupapa NHP
Kalaupapa National Historical Park is located on the island of Molokaʻi in Hawaiʻi. The park is home to a variety of historic sites, including the Kalaupapa Leper Colony and the Kalawao County Jail. The National Historic Park is a sobering reminder of the efforts taken by the government to control leprosy, or Hansen's disease. In the late 1800s, patients with severe symptoms were forcibly relocated to the isolated peninsula, cut off from the rest of society. The goal was to prevent the spread of the disease, but it also had the effect of ostracizing those who were suffering. Between 1866 and 1969, approximately 8,000 people were banished to Kalaupapa. Today, there are only a handful of Hansen's Disease patients remaining in Kalaupapa and they have chosen to remain in isolation. The National Historic Park was established in 1980 to preserve the historic culture and landscapes of Kalaupapa. Visitors can explore the sites through a variety of ranger-led tours and activities. The park also offers a variety of educational programs and events.
Go to park page
- North Dakota
Knife River Indian Villages
The Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site preserves the historic and archaeological remnants of bands of Hidatsa, Northern Plains Indians, in North Dakota along the Missouri River. This area was a major trading and agricultural area. At the site, there are the visible remains of earth-lodge dwellings, cache pits, and travois trails. The remains of the earth-lodge dwellings can be seen as large circular depressions in the ground. These dwellings were as large as 40 feet in diameter. The earthlodge, or awadi, was a central part of traditional Hidatsa life. The women of the clan were responsible for its construction, maintenance, and ownership. They gathered the necessary materials during the year, when the snow made it easier to transport heavy loads. An experienced older woman would supervise the construction of the lodge, which usually took place in late summer or early fall. Once completed, the lodge would be occupied by a single family for several years before it was abandoned and a new one built. However, with the arrival of Europeans in North America, their way of life began to change rapidly. The fur trade disrupted traditional patterns of hunting and gathering, and new diseases took a toll on Hidatsa villages. In 1845, most of the Hidatsa people left their homes along Knife River and joined with the Mandan tribe at Fort Berthold reservation. Today, visitors to Knife River can see firsthand the remains of this once-thriving community and imagine what life was like for its residents long ago.
Go to park page
- New York
Erie Canal NHC
A tribute to a time when America took on big projects, the 363-mile Erie Canal runs across Upstate New York, from east to west between the Hudson River and Lake Erie. It was created to connect boat traffic between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes. In 1825, when it opened, it was the second longest canal in the world after the Grand Canal in China. Today it is part of the New York State Canal System, connecting with three other canals that are mostly used for recreation. The Erie Canalway Trail is popular with cyclists – and if its 360-mile course isn't long enough, you can continue onto the Empire State Trail, which runs a total of 750 miles.
Go to park page
Explore Natural Parks
- New York
Fire Island
Fire Island National Seashore protects a 26-mile section of Fire Island, an approximately 30-mile long and 0.5-mile wide barrier island separated from Long Island by the Great South Bay. The island has 17 private communities within the seashore including Saltaire, Fire Island Pines, and Ocean Beach. Only two bridges lead to Fire Island and the national seashore. There are no public roads within the seashore itself, and private cars are forbidden. The Robert Moses Causeway leads to Robert Moses State Park on the western end of Fire Island while the William Floyd Parkway leads to the eastern end of the island. The seashore can also be accessed by private boat or by ferry from the communities of Patchogue, Sayville, and Bay Shore on Long Island. The wilderness area of the island includes pine forests, sand dunes that serve as habitat for white-tailed deer, herons and migratory waterfowl and miles of unspoiled beaches which are perfect for swimming, sunbathing, fishing, and hiking. Visitors can also enjoy scenic views from the many nature trails or take a leisurely stroll through one of the quaint seaside villages.
Go to park page
- Michigan
Ludington State Park
Ludington State Park, situated between the 5,000-acre Hamlin Lake and 7 miles of sandy Lake Michigan shoreline, features scenic sand dunes, three campgrounds, the iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse, 21 miles of marked trails and more. A 1-mile stretch of the Big Sable River runs through the park and provides excellent opportunities for fishing, paddling and tubing. The historic Lake Michigan beach house, located in the day-use area, is home to interpretive exhibits and programming. A boat launch is available for access to Hamlin Lake. The iconic Big Sable Point Lighthouse is accessible via a 1.8-mile-long (one way) sand-and-gravel pathway.
Go to park page
- Tennessee
Obed River
The Obed Wild and Scenic River is a beautiful spot for a nature hike or a day of fishing. Located in Tennessee, the river is one of the few remaining rivers in the southeastern US that has not been dammed. The ancestral homelands of the Cherokee Nation and other Native American groups, the area is renowned for its rugged landscapes and unspoiled beauty, and it boasts dramatic sandstone cliffs, crystal-clear waterways, and lush forests. The park offers a wealth of outdoor activities like hiking, rock climbing, and kayaking, attracting adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts. Its historical significance, rich biodiversity, and stunning vistas make the Obed River a cherished destination, providing a sanctuary for both wildlife and those seeking respite in the great outdoors.
Go to park page
Parks Channel - the first stop for your next adventure!
Watch and create
We curate videos that entertain and inform. Join our growing community of creators – or simply explore.
Explore videos
Go
Create your own profile, playlists and checklists.