Where to stay: The very sleepy Grand Marais has lodging options, and a few dining spots, including a brewing company. It takes about 4 hours. Here's how to do it. Visit the world's largest collection of windmills at the American Windmill Museum or learn about music history at the Buddy Holly Center. Or stay away from the towns and unplug in a remote cabin or cottage. To save money, I don't just stick to the current year's reviews. Start your first day at Minuteman Missile National Historic Site, which is about an hour southeast of Rapid City on 1-90. Stacker compiled a list of the closest national parks to Omaha. Five are primarily nature preserves for rare local birds with Loggerhead Key and Garden Key the only two with some development. At the time, the Allegheny Mountains were a major barrier to transportation and commerce, and the construction of the railroad was seen as a major engineering feat. The significance of the Johnstown Flood National Memorial lies in its role as a testament to the human spirit and resilience in the face of tragedy and adversity. 2. 452 miles north of Dallas . Looking to relax? Then I got to see them firsthand. The battle took place in and around the town of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania and resulted in a decisive victory for the Union army. Nearby, the Manitou Islands offer serene wilderness area to explore, and island lakes too (they're like lakes within a lake!). 458 miles east of . Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad NHP. You can make a difference by bringing your unique experience, background, and perspective to our work. Where to Stay: Its possible to rent houseboats and eco-tents (a cross between a cabin and tent) in Flamingo. Come explore with us today! All featured distances and driving times are estimated using representative locations from the center of each metro and national parkfor some places within the metro area, the actual distance may be slightly shorter or longer to reach the closest entryway to a park . It literally pays dividends from the past year's purchases, and includes a one yearreturn policy. Gettysburgisn't a recreational park like the others on this list. 9 hours from Tulsa. About 100. Spelunking opportunities abound in Mammoth, and range everywhere from a family-friendly guided group tours of 1.5 milesto the strenuous 4-hour Wild Cave Tour, which will have you doing some real caving: the kind that requiresa helmet and padding and crawling through 10-inch-tall-by-3-foot-wide crevices and inching along precarious ledges. The 14 Best National Parks in California | Travel | U.S. News For more than 100 years, North Carolina's protected parks, forests, waterways and seashores have been a haven for wildlife and visitors. RELATED: 10 BEST REVOLUTIONARY WAR SITES IN AMERICA. While the area near Munising and the Pictured Rocks can get a little busy, there areplenty of quiet, lightly-trafficked trails and areas of the Lakeshore region to be explored. Us too! The Eisenhower National Historic Site is dedicated to preserving the history and legacy of President Dwight D. Eisenhower and his wife Mamie, who lived at the site for many years. Mount Rainier isnt the only park reachable from Seattle. { The less than a mile trail is shaded under a beautiful canopy of diverse trees and animal life in the maritime forest. Today, visitors to the Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site can explore the remains of the railroad, including several restored buildings and the historic Lemon House, which served as a hotel for passengers traveling on the railroad. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington. After the battle, General Lees Army of Northern Virginia was forced to retreat and was never able to mount a sustained offensive in the North again. National Park Road Trips - US-Parks.com Checking out the renaissance happening in Detroit? You can expect one (short) email per week. A seven-day vehicle pass is $10. deals, and more! So here they are: Nine national parks and lakeshores drivable from Ohio. Explore the best of the world. Theres also biking and hiking which allows visitors to experience over 15 miles of trails in different sections of the park. Gulf Breeze, Florida and Ocean Springs, Mississippi , FL,MS. It can be reached by an easy 1.5 (one way) hike. Unless you have a boat, you'll only be able to visit a small portion, but there are opportunities to explore more via a kayak or an airboat tour. Here are some of the best hiking trails to visit across Ohio this summer, Angels Landing hike in Zion National Park is precipitous fun, Here are the best things to see and do (and how to get there), Gorgeous, towering waterfalls, ledges and deep forest treks, With its newly minted statusas a National Park, Your California Privacy Rights/Privacy Policy. A feast for the eyes: Michigan's Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore. The popular Historic Tour takes visitors through the Rotunda, one of the largest rooms in Mammoth Cave. If you access it via the north entrance at New Smyrna Beach, you might just find your very own spot to toss down a blanket. It doesnt get any better than that! The material on this site may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, cached or otherwise used, except with the prior written permission of Advance Local. RELATED: 10 BEST CIVIL WAR SITES IN AMERICA. Be sure to check out the Cholla Cactus Garden and hike (or drive) up to Keys View for a panoramic view of Coachella Valley (including the Salton Sea and the San Andreas Fault) andif you time it rightthe sunset. Florida - U.S. National Park Service While this road trip can be done in around 2 weeks, we recommend you allow yourself as much time as possible to explore these spectacular parks. Southern Appalachian mountain culture, abundant flora and fauna, waterfalls and log bridges beckon you to explore. There are also hands on and interactive exhibits that will interest young and old alike. State parks 8 hours from Dallas. If you take the ferry, there are food and other items available like hats, t-shirts, and sunscreen. Hiking is, of course, one of the best ways experience these great outdoors, but if youd rather take a quicker scenic route (or just dont want to brave the cold), set your GPS for Trail Ridge Roadone of the highest paved roads in the U.S. that winds its way through the park. The New River Gorge is about a five-hour drive from Cleveland. Some of them are longer, but can be combined with other parks on the list for a longer road trip if long distance drivesin the car isn't your thing. State parks 8 hours from Saint Louis. This is the nearest national park to Portland, Oregon and, on clear days, the mountain is even visible from Portland. The hike can be continued through the dunes (which involves more climbing) all the way to Lake Michigan. From shoes to packs, hiking packs and rain jackets, I have amassed a nice little collection of goods for my outdoor adventures. 9 Best State Parks To Visit Near Cincinnati - Only In Your State The main reason to come is the pristine white sandy beaches. Turn out the lights to discover thousands of stars in the Milky Way illuminating the night sky. Each of these parks is about a 90-minute drive from Downtown Pittsburgh. Hiking the trails of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. Alltrails/Tim Pelletier. Hiking Stony Man Mountain, part of Virginia's Shenandoah National Park. Where to Stay: A wide range of accommodation options are available in St. Augustine. Indiana Dunesis about 4 hours from Cleveland. Valley Forge National Historical Park is located in Pennsylvania and commemorates the encampment of the Continental Army under the command of General George Washington during the American Revolution. Go moonshine and wine sampling at the manystops along the Gatlinburg strip. If you're not up for a leg burning workout, consider biking or strolling all or part of the Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail, a 27 mile paved path. No matter. It also protects approximately 300 acres of Florida coastal environment containing dunes, marsh, maritime forest, and associated flora and fauna, including threatened and endangered species. There is no fee to enter Pictured Rocks. There's plenty of campgrounds around, too. The user recommendations for trails have led me to some of my favorite hikes, and the GPS map has never failed to work for me even when I have zero service, and doesn't drain my battery life, ensuring I don't lose my way. Plenty of cabins are available to rent near the park, too. It also served as a passenger route, and it played an important role in the development of the western United States, allowing settlers to travel westward more easily. There are even horseback-riding tours of the park. YouTubes privacy policy is available here and YouTubes terms of service is available here. In addition to snorkeling, you can check out the Dante Fascell Visitor Center, kayak, canoe, take fishing lessons, walk island trails or watch for dolphins and turtles. may earn a commission for purchases made through our links. Last but not least, I never hike without my AllTrails app. A park ranger provides narration along the way. Where to stay:Lodging abounds. Countless smaller, easy paths can be found throughout the park, too, featuring waterfalls (Laurel Falls and Grotto Falls among them). 7 hour drive from Tulsa. Fort Caroline no longer exists, however, the national memorial includes the site where the attempted French colonial settlement once stood along the banks of the St. Johns River. These are those kind of dunes, and you can do just that, but only when it snows and in designated areas. All featured distances and driving times are estimated using representative locations from the center of each metro and national parkfor some places within the metro area, the actual distance may be slightly shorter or longer to reach the closest entryway to a . Among the many scenic spots: Miners Castle, Munising Falls, and the Grand Sable Dunes. There are more than 300 species here, including brown pelicans, osprey, and bald eagles. The agency, which now oversees 407 national park sites, plans a grand centennial celebration in the year ahead (seefindyourpark.com for more information). Cleveland is just under 30 minutes from the park, and Akron is about 15 minutes away. At the visitor centers located at each, you can pick up a schedule of ranger-led programs and activities. Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site, 2. Another dramatic site: Grandview, which looks over a horseshoe bend in the New River from 1,400 feet. National Parks Near Pittsburgh. The park is open to the public and offers a variety of recreational and educational opportunities, including hiking, camping, ranger-led activities, guided tours, and special events, that provide insight into the history of the American Revolution and the role of Valley Forge in the struggle for independence. At the settlement of la Caroline, French settlers struggled for survival in a new world. Several breathable yet toasty fleece jackets that havekept me warm and comfortable on many hikes through crazy sleet-one-minute-sunshine-the next weather in the Colorado mountainsand late winter runs through my local park. "The shot heard round the world" fired at Concord brought the conflict in the colonies to the battlefield and began the Revolutionary War. To the residents of Johnstown and many people across the nation, blame lay clearly withAndrew Carnegie, Henry Clay Frick and the other wealthy and prominent Pittsburgh businessmenwho as members of the South Fork Fishing and Hunting Club owned the dam, and thus were responsible for its collapse. Cuyahoga Valley is about 30 minutes from Cleveland. If army crawlingthrough tight spaces many feet under ground isa big "no" for you, there are about a dozen other tours to choose from. I'm a sucker for fun hiking gear. 2023 Advance Local Media LLC. Aug. 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act. Plenty of info can be found here. During high season, the park service offers 11 different cave tours, from historic tours to lantern tours to crawl-on-your-belly tours. It provides a unique opportunity to explore the personal life and legacy of one of Americas most famous leaders. Within driving distance of any major Ohio city are giant sand dunes to be scaled. 2009 - 2023 Jetsetter All rights reserved. Red Wing, Minnesota is a popular weekend road trip from Minneapolis not only because of its conveniently close location, but because of the sheer number of attractions. noticing a pattern with this park and the number 360? While the Liberty Bell might not be the first thing you think of when you consider national parks, Pennsylvanias National Historical Park is one of the most popular in the state. The decor of the house reflects the Eisenhowers personal tastes and includes many of their personal belongings. One of my favorite ways to do that is to read up on tried and tested gear on websites likeOutdoor Gear Laband Gear Junkie. This isnt the kind of place where you can drive around and see everything from your windshield. How to Get There: There are four points of entry, including the Gulf Coast Visitor Center in Everglades City, Shark Valley Visitor Center in Miami, Flamingo Visitor Center and Ernest F. Coe Visitor Center, both in Homestead. Closest to home: Cuyahoga Valley National Park. Closest National Parks to Cincinnati | Stacker Best National Parks Near Pittsburgh. Sleeping Bear is about a seven-hour drive from Cleveland. More than 125 miles of hiking trails lie within the park. Check Out Americas Most Beautiful Cannabis Dispensaries, The 10 Most Affordable Cities to Visit in Spring. There's horseback riding opportunities, too. Or just head one hour west and see the sites in Chicago. Conserving over 729,000 acres of this vast swamp, Big Cypress National Preserve contains a mixture of tropical and temperate plant communities that are home to diverse wildlife, including the Endangered Florida panther. Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of Americas national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation. 30 mile radius of Tulsa. (Note: We excluded national historic parks, heritage areas and monuments -- including several in Ohio -- because these specialty sites deserve a list of their own. Friday April 21 2023 There's never a bad timewell, heavy snow, rain and fire seasons asideto take advantage of this country's incredible National Park system. For the views: Hike the Appalachian trail for a bit on the 8-mile round trip trek of Newfound Gap to Charlie's Bunyon, one of the park's most stunning viewpoints. A famous "conductor" on the Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman risked her life many times to guide people from enslavement to freedom. The freshwaters of the Big Cypress Swamp, essential to the health of the neighboring Everglades, support the rich marine estuaries along Florida's southwest coast. It sits where the Manatee River meets Tampa Bay and includes a Mission 66-era visitor center, a living history area where every winter De Sotos first encampment is recreated, a self-guiding trail through the mangroves, the ruins of a typical Florida tabby house, a small beach area, and a 16th-century viewshed that looks out to Tampa Bay toward the Gulf of Mexico. When autumn hits, Americas eastern seaboard explodes into a riot of colors.