Only a few days remain of National Parks Week (which is 9 days long, for some reason). Let’s be honest, though: our National Parks system deserves an extra long week. They’re great! Though I must ask, how many National Parks have you been to this week? If you’re like me, that number might be zero. It’s easy to think of national parks as something that only exists at Yellowstone or the Grand Canyon, but the fact is there are plenty of national parks, monuments, and sites right here in Missouri that are ready for a visit. And hey, National Parks Week isn’t over yet. You’ve got until the 28th to join in the festivities! Maybe it’s time to plan a little trip to one of these places.
Let’s start right here in Cape Girardeau with the Red House Interpretive Center. You may not think this counts as a National Park, as it’s run by the City of Cape. But it’s recognized as part of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail, which the National Parks Service also takes care of, so I say it counts. The house itself is a recreation of the well-known Red House of Louis Lorimer, which was used as a major trading post along the river. One group of people who visited this trading post was the Lewis and Clark Expedition. The original house was destroyed by a tornado in 1850, but you can see this recreation, filled with examples of what life was like and what sort of goods would have been traded there when Lewis and Clark arrived.
Another National Historic Trail is the Trail of Tears, and of course, Missouri’s Trail of Tears State Park is included. The Trail of Tears helps us to remember the painful relocation of the Cherokee to reservations and the horrible conditions they were put through in the process. Trail of Tears State Park has an excellent interpretive center with information about what it was like to be among those forced onto the Trail, but beautiful hiking trails and other outdoor recreation spots also surround it. If you’re looking for a wonderful National Park experience close to home, look no further, I say.
Of course, if we want “real” National Parks, not just historic trails, you’ll have to get up to St. Louis and the Gateway Arch National Park. We all think we know the Arch, but if you haven’t been there recently, the museum underneath the Arch itself is wonderful, and the large green space surrounding the Arch is a great place to relax and have a picnic overlooking the river. What’s more, the Gateway Arch National Park also contains the Old Courthouse, just a short walk from the Arch itself, which is the place where Dred Scott sued for his wife and his freedom. Unfortunately, the courthouse building is under renovation until at least 2025, but maybe it can be a stop for you during next National Parks week.
Another secret connection from the Gateway Arch National Park is a lovely little historic site. The Gateway Arch is connected to the Great Rivers Greenway, an excellent bike trail that goes around downtown St. Louis and off into the countryside. At the end of this trail is the Meramec River Bridge, which once stood as an important route for travelers on Route 66. As a National Historic Site (also controlled by the National Parks, see, it all connects!) the bridge span itself is walkable and filled with interesting informative plaques and a lovely view. It’s the perfect place to look around and have a picnic lunch after an enjoyable afternoon bike ride. (Of course, the park itself is accessible by car too, if you’re not the biking type!)
If you’re up in St. Louis and want to add to your National Parks count, why not swing by the Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site while you’re there? Grant, was, of course, our 18th President and Civil War general, but he met his wife, Julia, at their home called White Haven in the St. Louis area. He lived there with his wife’s family for many years, and it is this homestead that the National Historic Site encompasses. You can tour their family home, learn about the treatment of the enslaved people that lived with the Grants on the property, and also learn more about his lasting legacy on the country.
Now if you’re a real National Parks head, some of these places I’ve listed so far may be old hat. But maybe you haven’t yet been to Missouri’s newest National Historic Park, Ste. Geneviève. The first permanent European settlement in Missouri, Ste. Geneviève was made a National Historic Park in 2020, just 4 years ago! Here you can explore the historic town and cemetery, as well as learn about the huge flood that caused the entire town to have to relocate to its current location in 1785.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, of course. Kansas City has, for example, the National Frontier Trails Museum in Independence which connects multiple historic trails. But as far as a nearby National Parks experience is concerned, hopefully something on this list has you covered. If not, why not just enjoy one of our local city parks? We can be thankful for those too. (And did you know we provide free wifi for them?) So get going! Celebrate! And if it takes you until after National Parks Week is done to get out there, I won’t tell on you to any park rangers, promise.
Captures the majesty and grandeur of America's 54 National Parks both in pictures and print. Approximately 200 breathtaking photos present the most scenic views of these parks, which includes Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon. Informative captions describe the truly intriguing these parks. A comprehensive index helps readers quickly locate just the right park they want to experience for a memorable excursion into one of nature's priceless treasures.
Lonely Planet USA's National Parks is your passport to the most relevant, up-to-date advice on what to see and skip, and what hidden discoveries await you in all 59 of the USA's nationally protected lands. Catch the country's 'first sunrise' from the top of Cadillac Mountain in Acadia, take the drive of your life on the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Glacier, and climb the otherworldly rocks of Joshua Tree; all with your trusted travel companion. Discover USA's natural treasures and begin your journey now!
In this evocative and lavishly illustrated narrative, Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan delve into the history of the park idea, from the first sighting by white men in 1851 of the valley that would become Yosemite and the creation of the world's first national park at Yellowstone in 1872, through the most recent additions to a system that now encompasses nearly four hundred sites and 84 million acres.
Yellowstone is America's premier national park. Today is often a byword for conservation, natural beauty, and a way for everyone to enjoy the great outdoors. But it was not always this way. Wonderlandscape presents a new perspective on Yellowstone, the emotions various natural wonders and attractions evoke, and how this explains the park's relationship to America as a whole.
Whether it is artists or naturalists, entrepreneurs or pop-culture icons, each character in the story of Yellowstone ends up reflecting and redefining the park for the values of its era. For example, when Ernest Thompson Seton wanted to observe bears in 1897, his adventures highlighted the way the park transformed from a set of geological oddities to a wildlife sanctuary, reflecting a nation was concerned about disappearing populations of bison and other species. Subsequent eras added Rooseveltian masculinity, democratic patriotism, ecosystem science, and artistic inspiration as core Yellowstone hallmarks.
As the National Park system enters its second century, Wonderlandscape allows us to reflect on the values and heritage that Yellowstone alone has come to represent--how it will shape the America's relationship with her land for generations to come
Knit unique beanies inspired by the jaw-dropping and unique landscapes from each of the 63 US National Parks. From the brightly colored pebbles of Lake McDonald in Montana's Glacier National Park to the regal granite cliffs of El Capitan and Half Dome in California's Yosemite Valley, the US National Parks contain some of the most recognizable and iconic natural landmarks in the world. Capture the majesty each national park offers with original beanie patterns created by knitting designer and outdoor enthusiast Nancy Bates.
The majority of national park visitors often stick to the most celebrated trails and scenic overlooks, missing a whole world of stunning scenery in the process. Informed by park rangers, superintendents, and frequent park visitors, National Geographic Secrets of the National Parks provides all the inspiration and information you need to plan your visit beyond the well-trodden, touristy spots in these 32 great national parks. Stunning photographs, informative sidebars, and easy-to-use maps will help make your next national park adventure memorable.
In 1941 Ansel Adams was hired by the United States Department of the Interior to photograph America's national parks for a series of murals that would celebrate the country's natural heritage. Because of World War II, the project was suspended after less than a year, but not before Adams had produced this group of breathtaking images.
Hiking Missouri is your complete guide to 127 of the most scenic day hikes in the state. From St. Louis to the Ozarks to Kansas City, and all trails in between, you'll experience the spectacular beauty of the Show-Me State.
In this one-of-a-kind resource you'll find these features:
-Detailed descriptions of every hike, in every region, including special points of interest, estimated hiking time and distance, and difficulty ratings for each trail
-Phone numbers and Web sites, park hours and rules, and available facilities for 71 of the state's most scenic parks and natural areas
-Easy-to-read maps for every park and trail to help you navigate your hike and locate landmarks and other points of interest
-A convenient trail finder with a summary of each trail's features and available facilities
Hiking Missouri brings to life the history, terrain, flora, and fauna of each area. And its descriptions of nearby recreational and sightseeing destinations ensure you won't miss anything on your trip. Hiking Missouri is your guide to enjoying the great outdoors!