Your digital travel guide to America's public lands, museums, and attractions.

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Allegheny National Forest, Allegany State Park, Kinzua Bridge State Park, Chapman State Park, Drake Well, Cook Forest State Park, & the Zippo Museum

Allegheny National Forest celebrated its 100th birthday in 2023, and most of the trees are the same age. Decades of European settlers cleared away the old-growth hemlock and beech trees for lumber and paper, wiping out local deer populations and their predators. Once the National Forest Service took over in 1923, a different forest emerged, with black cherry, red maple and sugar maple dominating. Today, Allegheny is Pennsylvania's only national forest, a wonderland of over 500,000 acres for camping, hiking and water activities. There are also over 100 miles of ATV and OHV trails with a permit.

Allegheny National Forest

Allegheny NF: How to Visit and What to See

Yellowstone was the world's first National Park, established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872.

On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal and geologic features. Within Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers, and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.

Yellowstone

Yellowstone NP: How to Visit and What to See

The Big South Fork region contains one of the highest concentrations of natural bridges in the eastern United States.

Spanning over 125,000 acres, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area preserves the Big South Fork of the Cumberland River and its tributaries in northeastern Tennessee and southeastern Kentucky. The Big South Fork region contains one of the highest concentrations of natural bridges in the eastern United States. Over time water action has left many unique and amazing geologic features ranging from the river gorge with its magnificent bluffs to the natural arches and unusual hoodoos. Today, the Big South Fork is a popular destination for hikers, campers, and nature enthusiasts from all over the world.

Big South Fork

Big South Fork National River: How to Visit and What to See

Olympic is a world unto itself. Mountains, rainforests, ocean coast, waterfalls, lakes, rivers, and historic buildings can all be found in the park.

With its incredible range of precipitation and elevation, diversity is the hallmark of Olympic National Park. Encompassing nearly a million acres, the park protects a vast wilderness, thousands of years of human history, and several distinctly different ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rain forests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline. Come explore!

Olympic

Olympic NP: How to Visit & What to See

The real Jurassic Park. Full of dinosaurs! Well dinosaur bones... as well as canyons, petroglyphs and rivers.

This massive monument covers over 800 square miles of land in Colorado and Utah, and it's filled with fascinating geological features, incredible wildlife, and a rich history. The rocks here date back millions of years, and many of them are embedded with the fossils of dinosaurs that once roamed the earth. Today, the landscape is very different, but no less impressive. Towering mountains, wide open desert plains, and untamed rivers flowing through deep canyons all create a breathtaking backdrop for exploration. And if you're interested in the cultures that have called this place home, you'll find evidence of earlier Native American cultures in the form of petroglyphs, as well as homesteads and outlaw hideouts from more recent history. 

Dinosaur NM

Dinosaur NM: How to Visit and What to See

Today we set off on the Oregon Trail to explore the natural landscape you didn't know exists.

Scotts Bluff has served as a landmark for peoples from Native Americans to emigrants on the Oregon, California and Mormon Trails to modern travelers. The two bluffs, Scotts Bluff and South Bluff, provide hikers with plenty of options to get their fill of fresh air. The north bluff of the monument is named after Hiram Scott, who was a clerk for the Rocky Mountain Fur Company. The bluff served as an important landmark on the Oregon Trail, California Trail and Pony Express Trail. Over 250,000 westward emigrants passed by Scotts Bluff between 1843 and 1869. Being visible at a distance from the Mormon Trail, it was the second most important landmark for westward emigrants after Chimney Rock.

Scotts Bluff 

Scotts Bluff NM & Chimney Rock NHS: How to Visit

The surreal and otherworldly painted desert of John Day Fossil Beds in central Oregon makes it one of the best-kept secrets in America.

John Day Fossil Beds National Monument showcases a geological marvel spanning 40 million years of Earth's history. Its vibrant painted hills reveal layers of ancient ecosystems, preserving fossils of plants and animals. The monument, named after the nearby John Day River, offers visitors a glimpse into prehistoric landscapes through its three units: Sheep Rock, Painted Hills, and Clarno. It's a testament to the dynamic story of our planet's evolution.

John Day Fossil Beds 

John Day Fossil Beds NM: How to Visit and What to See

The first railroad to circumvent the Allegheny Mountains, the Allegheny Portage Railroad was the finishing piece of the Pennsylvania Mainline Canal. 

The Allegheny Portage Railroad was the first railroad to circumvent the Allegheny Mountains, and it was the finishing piece of the Pennsylvania Main Line Canal. The system was primarily used as a portage railway, hauling river boats and barges over the divide between the Ohio and the Susquehanna Rivers. It opened in 1834, marking the first time that there was one, direct route between Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. The Allegheny Portage Railroad served merchants, passengers, slaves in pursuit of freedom, and soldiers from the Mexican War. 

Allegheny Portage Railroad 

Allegheny Portage Railroad NHS: How to Visit and What to See

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is America's most visited national park.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is one of the most popular national parks in America. Situated between North Carolina and Tennessee, the Smokies are renowned for wildflowers, diverse animal and plant life, and striking mountainscapes. Originally the land of the Cherokee people, the park features numerous trails to explore, ranging from easy hikes to more challenging treks to popular waterfalls. For those who want a truly unique experience, guided horseback rides are also available. In addition to its natural beauty, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also home to a great collection of historic log buildings. These structures provide a fascinating glimpse into the past, and help to bring the park's rich history to

Great Smoky Mountains

 Great Smoky Mountains NP: How to Visit & What to See 

America's 61st National Park, established February 15, 2019.

Indiana Dunes National Park, situated along the southern shore of Lake Michigan, spans over 15,000 acres of diverse ecosystems. Renowned for its towering sand dunes, pristine beaches, and lush forests, the park offers a rich natural tapestry. Visitors can explore over 50 miles of hiking trails, witness vibrant birdlife, and marvel at unique geological formations. Home to cultural sites and historic landmarks, this national park seamlessly blends nature and heritage, providing a captivating experience for all who venture to its shores.

Indiana Dunes NP

Indiana Dunes NP: How to Visit and What to See

Acadia is the first place in America to experience the sunrise of a new day. Here's what to expect when visiting the park.

Acadia is the northernmost national park on the East Coast with various ecosystems and terrains. With more than 150 miles of hiking trails, the park offers many ways to experience nature. From mountains to shore, lakes, streams, wetlands, forests, and meadows in between, all contribute to a diversity of plants and animals. The summit of Cadillac Mountain is the highest point on the Atlantic coast. Its legendary view is the first place in the US to greet the sunrise. Laced throughout this landscape is a historic carriage road system financed by John D. Rockefeller Jr. In total, the park encompasses 49,075 acres, wildlife abounds throughout the park. Acadia is one of the most popular destinations in the national park system, and can be crowded during summer. Whether you are hiking one of the park's many trails, kayaking on one of its lakes, or simply enjoying a picnic lunch surrounded by stunning views, Acadia National Park is sure to offer an unforgettable experience.

Acadia

Acadia NP: How to Visit & What to See

The 1848 Seneca Falls Convention in Seneca Falls, NY was the beginning of the Women's Rights Movement in the United States.

The Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, New York, tells the story of the early women's rights movement and the First Women's Rights Convention, which took place in Seneca Falls in 1848. The park includes the Wesleyan Chapel, where the convention was held, as well as the homes of some of the key figures involved in the movement, such as Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. Visitors to the park can learn about the history of the women's rights movement and see some of the documents that were used to spark change. The park is a reminder of how far women have come and how much work still needs to be done in order to achieve true equality.

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