Our national parks are national and global treasures, but a lot of them have gotten really busy in recent years, and that has taken away some of the enjoyment for many people. National monuments, which are created by the President rather than by Congress, are usually much smaller than national parks are, but they can be equally beautiful, and they tend to receive less visitation.
In a previous article, we looked at 13 national monuments totally worth visiting, but there are so many more, so here’s Round 2, with Round 3 to come!
Gold Butte, Nevada
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Red sandstone cliffs and canyons dominate this Mojave Desert landscape. There are also a number of ancient Native American shelters and rock art sites. In addition, there’s a ghost town from the area’s mining days.
Grand Canyon-Parashant, Arizona
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This sprawling wilderness on the north side of the Grand Canyon is for those truly seeking adventure and solitude. No paved roads penetrate the monument. To get to scenic overlooks along the canyon rim, you have to drive many miles of unpaved roads in off-road vehicles.
Grand Portage, Minnesota
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During the heydays of the fur trade, this region just south of the Canadian border was an important center for the industry. The Grand Portage is a foot route 8 ½ miles long bypassing a series of waterfalls on the Pigeon River. Crews had to carry their vessels or haul them with horses to get around the unnavigable waterfalls.
Grand Staircase-Escalante, Utah
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Huge enough to be a national park, you’ll find some of southern Utah’s most beautiful “color country” here. The many features to explore include slickrock expanses, slot canyons, colorful badlands, wildly shaped rock formations, a dry desert wash littered with petrified wood, and more.
Ironwood Forest, Arizona
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In the Sonoran Desert, this monument protects large concentrations of ironweed and provides critical habitat for desert flora and fauna species, some of which are endangered. It also contains over 200 ancient Native American archeological sites, some of which are nearly 2000 years old.
Jewel Cave, South Dakota
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Located in the Black Hills close to the Wyoming border, Jewel Cave is the world’s third-longest cave, and more than 215 miles of passageways have been mapped there. Guided tours are available for visitors to see the wonders of this unique underground realm.
John Day Fossil Beds, Oregon
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Out here is an outstanding fossil record from the Cenozoic Era, dating back to 65 million years ago. Three separate units are available for people to visit, with the most visually spectacular one being the extremely colorful Painted Hills one.
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks, New Mexico
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A volcanic explosion left behind layers of volcanic ash as well as a rock called tuff, which is cemented ash that isn’t terribly stable. Over time, erosion has carved the sediments into fascinating canyons and spires. Just don’t try climbing the crumbly cliffs and spires; you can get badly injured and could cause resource damage as well.
Katahdin Woods and Waters, Maine
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The North Maine Woods have an abundance of pristine mountains, forests, and waterways. Bordering the eastern side of Baxter State Park, where you’ll find Baxter Peak, Maine’s highest and the northern end of the Appalachian Trail, this monument protects a large swath of the North Maine Woods.
Lava Beds, California
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North America’s largest concentration of lava tubes (cave-like formations) are found at this monument in the northern part of the state. Another attraction is Petroglyph Point, where you’ll find one of the country’s largest petroglyph panels created by ancient Native Americans.
Little Bighorn Battlefield, Montana
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In 1876, Arapaho, Cheyenne, and Sioux forces led by Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull routed General George Armstrong Custer and the U.S. Army’s 7th Cavalry here. The national monument here preserves the site and honors those who lost their lives here.
Misty Fjords, Alaska
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Because its geology closely resembles that of Yosemite Valley in California, this place is often called the Yosemite of the North. Glaciers sculpted huge U-shaped valleys here, and mountain goats and bears are commonly seen in this southeastern Alaskan wilderness.
Mojave Trails, California
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Rugged desert mountain ranges, golden sand dunes, and ancient lava flows await visitors here. The area also has been the site of Native American trading routes and World War II training camps.
15 Must-Dos on Your Next Trip to Lake Tahoe
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Lake Tahoe on the California-Nevada border makes a lot of lists of the most beautiful places in America. There’s also a lot to do there, with a wide range of outdoor recreation, great dining, resorts, nightlife, and more. If it’s your first time going or if you’re going back, consider adding some of the following places to your itinerary. 15 Must-Dos on Your Next Trip to Lake Tahoe
The 30 Most Beautiful Places in the World That Everyone Must See
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There’s no way you could ever come up with a definitive list of the world’s most beautiful places. However, if you ask around, some places come up a lot more frequently than others do.
The following are some of the places that people mention over and over again, not in any particular order.
30 Breathtaking Places You Must See Before You Die
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