Travel Destinations: Will One of These Places Be America's Next National Park?

The United States National Park System includes more than 84 million acres across 50 states and six territories. The most recent park added is the New River National Gorge Park in 2021. While many parks would love to be part of the National Park System, a site must meet specific qualifications of national significance, natural and cultural relevance, access, and size in order to qualify. As the summer season travel season gets into full swing, here are some sites to visit that could soon be designated as America’s next national park.

Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona

The homeland of the Chiricahua Apache, it is located 120 miles southeast of Tucson. Often called the “Wonderland of Rocks,” the monument was created to protect these rock pinnacles that can be hundreds of feet high. There is also a diverse assortment of plant biomes throughout the park for hikers to discover, appreciate, and photograph.

Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine

Located in Maine’s North Woods near Mount Katahdin, Katahdin Woods & Waters National Monument includes over 87,000 acres of forests, rivers, and wetlands. This monument is working to protect its many natural resources and wildlife habitats, as well as areas that are culturally important to the Penobscot Nation. Recreational activities available there include hiking, camping, fishing, hunting, biking, and snowmobiling.

Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park, Georgia

This park is a prehistoric site of Indigenous cultures who lived there for thousands of years. A significant cultural attraction is an Earth Lodge with the original floor that was carbon-dated to 1015. If selected, this park would become Georgia’s first national park. Ocmulgee Mounds offers multiple hiking trails spanning 8 miles of historical mounds, wetlands, and forested land. Many of the trails are ½ mile or less each way, offering a family-friendly way to spend an afternoon. There are also park benches located at various places along the trails. For those who want a longer hike, some trails are a mile or slightly longer, and the trails can be combined to form a longer loop.

Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, New Jersey and Pennsylvania

Known as the gateway to the Poconos, the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area is a little slice of heaven located along 40 miles of the longest free-flowing river east of the Mississippi. The park encompasses and protects significant Native American archeological sites, as well as structures from early Dutch settlements. The park is enjoyed year-round for activities such as hiking, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and hunting.

Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve, Idaho

Declared a national monument in 1924, Craters of the Moon was created over 2,000 years ago by lava flows from a volcanic eruption. The national monument and preserve showcases the volcanic history of the area. Named for its spooky, desolate, landscape, it really does look otherworldly. There are caves and trails to explore along a 7-mile loop road, allowing visitors to see a lot in a short amount of time. Despite harsh Idaho winters, visitors still tour in the snow using skis and snowshoes. If selected, this would be Idaho’s first national park.

Source: www.nps.gov