Image description:
From the U.S. Department of Interior:
Not all of our public lands are far from urban areas. The Golden Gate National Recreation Area chronicles two hundred years of history, from Native American culture, the Spanish Empire frontier and the Mexican Republic, to maritime history, and the California Gold Rush. It also provides some pretty killer views of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco.
Photo: Justin Kern
Image description: Top photo: the Rio Grande del Norte National Monument in New Mexico.
Bottom photo: San Juan Islands National Monument in Washington
On Monday, President Obama established five new national monuments across the country. The monuments protect natural resources and preserve rich history and lush landscapes in five different states: Delaware, Maryland, New Mexico, Ohio and Washington.
From the White House:
The monuments are:
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument in Ohio: The monument will preserve the home of Col. Charles Young (1864–1922), a distinguished officer in the United States Army who was the third African American to graduate from West Point and the first to achieve the rank of Colonel.
First State National Monument in Delaware: The monument will tell the story of the early Dutch, Swedish, Finnish and English settlement of the colony of Delaware, as well as Delaware’s role as the first state to ratify the Constitution. The park is comprised of three historic areas related to Delaware’s rich history: the Dover Green, the New Castle Court House complex (including the courthouse, Green and Sheriff’s House), and the Woodlawn property in the Brandywine Valley.
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument in Maryland: The monument commemorates the life of the most famous conductor on the Underground Railroad who was responsible for helping enslaved people escape from bondage to freedom. The new national park, located on Maryland’s Eastern Shore, includes large sections of landscapes that are significant to Tubman’s early life in Dorchester County and evocative of her life as a slave and conductor of the Underground Railroad.
Río Grande del Norte National Monument in New Mexico: Located northwest of Taos, the Río Grande del Norte contains stretches of the Río Grande Gorge and extinct volcanoes that rise from the Taos Plateau. The area is known for its spectacular landscapes and recreational opportunities – like rafting, fishing and hiking – and serves as important habitat for many birds and wildlife.
San Juan Islands National Monument in Washington: Home to bald eagles, orca whales, harbor seals and other rare species, the San Juan Islands is a chain of 450 islands, rocks and pinnacles. Located in Washington State’s Puget Sound, the archipelago provides an opportunity for visitors, campers, kayakers and birdwatchers to experience the natural beauty of the undeveloped, rugged landscape.
Learn more about the five new national monuments.
View more pictures of Rio Grande del Norte and San Juan Islands national monuments.
Photos from the Bureau of Land Management.
Visit Recreation.gov to plan your outdoor activities at federal lands across the United States.
You can search for locations that offer the activities you enjoy—including hiking, biking, boating, horseback riding, and climbing—and make reservations for camping, lodging, picnic areas, permits, and tours.
Enjoy America’s great outdoors this summer!
If you enjoy visiting America’s beautiful national parks and recreation areas, consider buying an annual pass.
The $80 pass lets the you and your accompanying passengers (or up to four adults at sites where per-person fees are charged) enter more than 2,000 federal recreation areas.
The National Park Service offers other kinds of passes such as:
From November 11 to 13, you will be able to access several public recreation areas without paying entrance fees.
The National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management and the U.S. Forest Service will waive entrance fees in recognition of Veterans Day weekend. Some fees, such as those for camping or concessions, will still apply.
Many of the recreational areas offer activities like hiking, biking, rock climbing or horse back riding.
