Is Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota worth seeing when the cave is closed? That was the question before me when I visited in the summer of 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. It wasn’t just the pandemic, though, elevator repairs had kept Wind Cave from offering cave tours for more than a year, and […]
Mount Rushmore
Mount Rushmore is one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States. While it doesn’t offer enough activities to be a destination location by itself, its placement in the center of the beautiful Black Hills of South Dakota makes it a great centerpiece to the myriad of beautiful parks, drives and attractions in the […]
5 Keys to Visiting National Parks During...
As the U.S. begins its gradual reopening, many people are more than ready to get out and visit some National Parks. For the most part, you can! However, visiting parks right now is a bit different and requires some advanced planning. If you decide to get out there, here are some keys to planning your […]
Curecanti
Most people visiting Curecanti National Recreation Area do so driving through on US 50 or boating on Blue Mesa Reservoir. If this is all you do, you would miss the real beauty of Curecanti which is off the beaten path but still readily accessible for those willing to take the back roads. Visitor Rating (write […]
What’s in a Name?
Ever wondered why there are so many different types of parks in the National Parks system? National Park, National Monument, National Historic Park–what’s the difference? National Park. The term “National Park” was the original name used for the first several tracts of land set aside by Congress to protect primarily scenic wonders from encroaching development. […]
National Park Birthdays
Ever wonder which parks are the oldest and which are the newest? This list captures the date each park was established by law as a national park. Keep in mind some have been in the National Park System for longer because they were national monuments before they were national parks. What’s the difference between a national […]
National Park Sizes
The National Parks exist in many shapes and sizes from tiny Gateway Arch NP, Missouri to giant Wrangell-St. Elias NP in Alaska. While most parks are in the 10s to 100s of thousands of acres range (with a few in the millions), Congress has been more willing lately to ignore size when it comes to […]
Review – Parks Game
Parks is a stunningly beautiful game and a blast to play! I recently received a copy of the game “Parks” by Keymaster Games (Kickstarter edition) from a family member who knows that I love National Parks. The first thing that struck me about the game is it’s beautiful! The park cards (48 of them) and […]
Andersonville
Walking around the site of the Civil War prison at Andersonville, one can’t help but envision the horrid conditions of more than 30,000 men crammed into a 26-acre pen left mostly to fend for themselves against the environment, hunger and rampant sickness. Andersonville serves as a somber reminder of one of the most grim aspects […]
Kennesaw Mountain
Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Georgia preserves the site of the last major battle in the defense of Atlanta from Sherman’s advancing forces during the American Civil War. Despite being outnumbered 2:1, Johnston’s Confederates held out against Sherman’s forces in two separate attacks in June of 1964. While it was a tactical victory for the […]
Mount Vernon Trail
Do you like to bike? Then you should try Mount Vernon Trail in Washington, D.C. Mount Vernon Trail is an 18-mile long trail that extends from George Washington’s Mount Vernon estate to Arlington National Cemetery. It was first opened in 1972 as a multi-use path after biking became popular along the nearby George Washington Parkway. […]
Mammoth Cave
Do you have claustrophobia? How about a fear of being trapped underground? If so, then Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky is NOT the place for you! Enjoy exploring strange places? Then you’ll love this park! Discovered by modern settlers in the 1700s, Mammoth Cave started life as a saltpeter mine for making gunpowder. In […]