America's Gems - National Parks & Monuments

Since 1916, the US National Park Service (NPS) has been entrusted with the care of America's national parks. With the help of volunteers and park partners, they safeguard over 400 areas covering more than 84 million acres in every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. 

Rangers and volunteers share America's stories with more than 325 million visitors every year. Once we began visiting US National Parks, Monuments, Landmarks and Historical Sites, we became addicted. They provide so much information about our country's history, culture and geography that it's absolutely amazing and inspiring. Our new goal: visit all the parks. And then revisit, because there's no doubt they're different each time. 

Below find photos of each park we've visited. Interested in more info?  We've provided the link to the NPS website and sometimes our own blog. We still have a long way to go, so check back often as we explore the splendor of America.

"George Washington intended this to be a Federal city, and it is a Federal city, and it tingles down to the feet of every man, whether he comes from Washington State, or Los Angeles, or Texas, when he comes and walks these city streets and begins to feel that this is my city; I own a part of this Capital..."

• President William Howard Taft - 1909

Perhaps there is no national park containing so many monuments and historic sites as impressive as our national capital. It inspires patriotism and a swelling of national pride that for just a little while allows us to forget politics and partisanship and remember what we're all about. There's so much more, but here's a sampling. Read about our visit to Washington, DC in several blog posts.

With over 400 park units available to visit, there'll definitely be more to come. Check back every once in awhile for more National Parks explorations. In the meantime, here are a few recommendations from the crew. Remember, if you make any Amazon purchase through our website, we collect a few pennies without costing you an extra cent and our travel budget will thank you for it!