|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | Spotlight: Lake Red Rock, Pella, Iowa
Lake Red Rock, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, is Iowa’s largest lake and has been protecting valuable farmland, houses and businesses along the Des Moines River against flooding for more than 40 years.
|
|
 | More Than Just A Road
Visit the Blue Ridge Parkway, a piece of Americana, for a firsthand experience with the Southern Appalachians, farmland, local communities, Bluegrass music, wineries and so much more.
|
|
|
|
|
 | Song for the Horse Nation
The newest and biggest yet exhibition at the National Museum of the American Indian pays homage to the bond between horse and human.
|
|
|
|
 | Avalanche Safety Tips
A bit of knowledge and the right precautions can save your life when it comes to snow in the backcountry.
|
|
 | Romantic Adventures
From cozying up in a ski lodge or booking a lavish stay at a historic hotel to taking a cooking class on a quaint New England farm or scouring the night sky for constellations you never knew existed, these are some of the most romantic options we have to offer.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | Spotlight: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Michigan
This Michigan treasure was voted “Most Beautiful Place in America” on ABC’s Good Morning America —and it’s not hard to see why the public picked this majestic and fascinating locale. A visit to Sleeping Bear is bound to make even the most traveled visitor feel the wonderment of our natural world.
|
|
 | Hiking Half Dome in Yosemite Valley
Almost every hiker puts hiking to the top of Half Dome on his or her bucket list. If that's on your 2012 agenda, here are the logistics you'll need to know to obtain your permits and start planning your trip.
|
|
 | Spotlight: National Park Week
National Parks will waive entrance fees all week long. Many parks will also offer special programs, and some park partners may offer great deals and discounts.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | Spotlight: Alaska’s Recreation Cabins
Rustic charm and beauty! More than 180 public-use recreation cabins are scattered throughout the Tongass National Forest in southeast Alaska and the Chugach National Forest in south central Alaska.
|
|
 | Our Best Beaches: Northeast
It’s summertime and everybody wants to go to the beach. After a long winter, the northeast coastline is reborn into a pleasant and delightful destination for locals and travelers alike. These are our best beaches.
|
|
|
 | Discover the Forests Around You With the Lorax
Universal Pictures joins the USDA Forest Service and the Ad Council launch a series of public service announcements featuring characters and footage from the movie, Dr. Seuss’ The Lorax.
|
|
 | The "Great Charter"
The Magna Carta, on permanent loan from private owner David Rubenstein, returns to the National Archives after a year hiatus ... in a new, interactive casing to further enhance the Charters of Freedom.
|
|
 | Fee-Free Days in 2012
Federal agencies kicked off 2012 fee-free days with Martin Luther King, Jr., Weekend
|
|
|
|
 | Safety: National Safe Boating Week
The year-round effort focusing on spreading the message of boating safety, encouraging boater education and helping to save lives kicks off each year with National Safe Boating Week.
|
|
 | Spotlight: Holiday at Mt. Rainier National Park
Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Christmas or New Years, Washington State’s Mt. Rainier National Park provides the quintessential holiday escape: a snowy, alpine, rustic mountainous destination.
|
|
 | The Other National Christmas Tree
California's General Grant Tree is not only possibly the largest sequoia; it's also been labeled the "Nation's Christmas Tree" since 1926.
|
|
|
|
 | Reasons to Volunteer on Public Lands
Traditionally the last Saturday in September, National Public Lands Day gives Americans many reasons to volunteer—but you can volunteer anytime!
|
|
 | Spotlight: 4 Rivers, Idaho and Oregon
Enter the lottery and get your permits now for the summertime whitewater rafting trip of your life at the Selway, Salmon and Middle Fork of the Salmon Rivers in Idaho, or the Snake River in Oregon.
|
|
 | Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve is nothing short of a natural wonder even among a diverse terrain of grasslands, wetlands, conifer and aspen forests, alpine lakes and tundra.
|
|
 | Best Places to Star Gaze
Humans have been contemplating the heavens since we stood up on two legs...and that deep, sparkly sky still hasn't lost its draw one bit. Here are the nations best places to see the stars.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | Spotlight: Allatoona Lake
Recreation and sports activities abound at Allatoona Lake near Atlanta. Biking, boating, hiking, swimming and camping are among the activities at this popular recreation area.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | Fly Fishing
For those of you who read the novel A River Runs Through It (or saw the movie), you already know the spiritual connection people find to fly fishing.
|
|
|
 | June Is Great Outdoors Month
President Obama—along with almost every state governor—proclaimed June as “Great Outdoors Month,” urging Americans to uphold our legacy of conserving lands for future generations. Whether it’s hiking, canoeing, fishing, swimming, bird watching—or just having a picnic and enjoying nature—getting outside with your loved ones in our shared resources is the perfect way to celebrate.
|
|
|
 | Take a Hike
Here are four great reasons to go for a hike.
|
|
 | Foraging: Mistletoe
'Tis the season to get out into nature and start looking for your Christmas decorations.
|
|
 | Spotlight: Cape Cod National Seashore
What better place to spend a cozy weekend than on the very shores where the Mayflower landed and the Wampanoag people had been farming and cultivating?
|
|
 | Build a Campfire and Cozy Up
There’s no other feeling like the one you get when sitting around a campfire. So long as you make sure you’re responsible and follow the rules of the area you’re visiting, get out there and huddle around the flames.
|
|
|
|
 | The African Burial Ground National Monument, New York, NY
February is African American History Month so what better time to pay homage to this commemorative site that represents the important role and contribution that enslaved Africans made to the birth of the nation, its economy development and culture.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | Bear Creek Lake
State and municipal partner agencies manage a swimming beach, as well as water-based activities like sailing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and windsurfing.
|
|
|
 | Celebrate the Birth of Our Nation
As iconic as it is, the Fourth of July isn't the only time to celebrate our history. Honor the many places and events of the American Revolution any time of year.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 | White River National Forest
Eight designated wildernesses, world famous ski resorts are only some of the reasons this Rocky Mountain gem is one of the most revered National Forests in the United States.
|
|
|
 | Washington Monument To Be Repaired After Earthquake
The August 23, 2011 Washington D.C. earthquake left more than its residents rattled ... some of the city's most prominent structures suffered damage, including the Washington Monument. Now, it's finally receiving the funding to make repairs.
|
|
 | Your Fee Dollars At Work
Entrance fees do more than just get you into the park...the funds help you enjoy your entire experience, from entrance to exit.
|
|
 | Spotlight: Katmai National Park and Preserve
Whether watching brown bears during the salmon run, hiking and camping in rugged wilderness, fishing for trout, or viewing the Valley of 10,000 Smokes, an amazing experience awaits in Alaska’s Katmai National Park and Preserve.
|
|
 | Spotlight: National Monument to the Forefathers
In school we learn that our first "Thanksgiving" occurred when the Plymouth colonists and the Wampanoag Indians shared an autumn harvest feast; this site and historical monument commemorates those aboard the Mayflower , which supposedly first came ashore right here.
|
|
 | All That Jazz
A visit to the Harlem Jazz Museum is arguably second only to a trip to N'Orleans if you're looking to experience the truly American musical tradition: Jazz.
|
|
|
 | Food Foraging: The Acorn
You may remember collecting acorns as a kid and using them as ammunition against your siblings. But these little nuts are part of an edible American heritage...and some consider them to be a foraging delicacy today.
|
|
 | Plan a Camping Trip You'll Never Forget
It’s easy to head to your nearest campground for some fresh air and a couple nights under the stars. But when was the last time you picked a destination where you never imagined you’d set up a tent?
|
|
|
|
 | Safety: Quickly Changing Weather
As temperatures rise and snow recedes from our favorite outdoor places, the landscape springs to life with active wildlife, fields of flowers and severe weather.
|
|
|
|
