Parks
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National Historic Trail
California
Various States CA,CO,ID,KS,MO,NE,NV,OR,UT,WY
Follow in the footsteps of over 250,000 emigrants who traveled to the gold fields and rich farmlands of California during the 1840s and 1850s: the greatest mass migration in American history. The California National Historic Trail is over 5,000 miles long and covers portions of 10 states. Step into history along more than 1,000 miles of ruts and traces from travelers and their overland wagons.
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National Park
Death Valley
Death Valley, CA,NV
In this below-sea-level basin, steady drought and record summer heat make Death Valley a land of extremes. Yet, each extreme has a striking contrast. Towering peaks are frosted with winter snow. Rare rainstorms bring vast fields of wildflowers. Lush oases harbor tiny fish and refuge for wildlife and humans. Despite its morbid name, a great diversity of life survives in Death Valley.
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National Park
Great Basin
Baker, NV
From the 13,063-foot summit of Wheeler Peak, to the sage-covered foothills, Great Basin National Park is a place to sample the stunning diversity of the larger Great Basin region. Come and partake of the solitude of the wilderness, walk among ancient bristlecone pines, bask in the darkest of night skies, and explore mysterious subterranean passages. There's a whole lot more than just desert here!
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National Recreation Area
Lake Mead
the Mojave Desert, AZ,NV
Swim, boat, hike, cycle, camp and fish at America’s first and largest national recreation area. With striking landscapes and brilliant blue waters, this year-round playground spreads across 1.5 million acres of mountains, canyons, valleys and two vast lakes. See the Hoover Dam from the waters of Lake Mead or Lake Mohave, or find solitude in one of the park's nine wilderness areas.
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National Historic Trail
Old Spanish
AZ,CA,CO,NV,NM,UT
Follow the routes of mule pack trains across the Southwest on the Old Spanish National Historic Trail between Santa Fe, New Mexico, and Los Angeles, California. New Mexican traders moved locally produced merchandise across what are now six states to exchange for mules and horses.
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National Historic Trail
Pony Express
Various States CA,CO,KS,MO,NE,NV,UT,WY
It is hard to believe that young men once rode horses to carry mail from Missouri to California in the unprecedented time of only 10 days. This relay system along the Pony Express National Historic Trail in eight states was the most direct and practical means of east-west communications before the telegraph.
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National Monument
Tule Springs Fossil Beds
NV
Mammoths, lions and camels once roamed along wetlands just north of what is now known as Las Vegas, Nevada. Their history is preserved at Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument and is ready to be discovered.
By The Numbers
- 4 National Parks
- 5,756,090 Visitors to National Parks
- $316,800,000 Economic Benefit from National Park Tourism »
- $50,439,846 of Rehabilitation Projects Stimulated by Tax Incentives (since 1995) »
- $45,596,270 of Land & Water Conservation Fund Appropriated for Projects (since 1965) »
- 6 Certified Local Governments »
- 69 Community Conservation & Recreation Projects (since 1987) »
- 432 Acres Transferred by Federal Lands to Parks for Local Parks and Recreation (since 1948) »
- 68,225 Hours Donated by Volunteers »
- 1 National Heritage Area »
- 3 National Trails Administered by NPS »
- 385 National Register of Historic Places Listings »
- 8 National Historic Landmarks »
- 6 National Natural Landmarks »
- 428 Places Recorded by Heritage Documentation Programs »
- 802,622 Objects in National Park Museum Collections »
- 908 Archeological Sites in National Parks »
- 3 Teaching with Historic Places Lesson Plans »
- 7 Discover Our Shared Heritage Travel Itineraries »
- Print the summary »
These numbers are just a sample of the National Park Service's work. Figures are for the fiscal year that ended 9/30/2019.