Our Great Parks

updated 2007
View All Areas By State


The purpose of this area of the site is to provide access to some basic information and links to various locations controlled by the US Federal, State and Local governments. The initial contents of this section focus on the US National Park system and its locations and diverse parks. The National Park system has a variety of Park types. Below are the different types of parks and areas comprising the database.

Part of this section is to be a project that I'm starting to create on online library of images from the entire national park system. I'd like users and visitors of the site to work with me on this project to help me accumulate all of these photographs.

National ParkContains a variety of resources and encompasses large land or water areas to help provide adequate protection of the resources.
National Wildlife RefugeContains a variety of resources and encompasses large land or water areas to help provide adequate protection of the resources.
National MonumentPreserves at least one nationally significant resource. Usually smaller than a national park and lacks its diversity of attractions
National PreserveProtects certain resources. Activities such as hunting, fishing or the extraction of minerals and fuels may be permitted if they do not jeopardize the natural values.
National ReserveSimilar to preserves, but managed by local or state authorities
National Lakeshore and National SeashorePreserves shoreline areas and off-shore islands while providing water-oriented recreation.
National River and Wild and Scenic RiverwayProvides ribbons of land bordering on free-flowing streams that have not been dammed, channelized or otherwise altered. Besides preserving rivers in their natural state, these areas provide opportunities for outdoor activities.
National Scenic TrailLong-Distance footpath winding through areas of natural beauty.
National Historic SitePreserves places and commemorates persons, events and activities important in the nation's history.
National Historic ParkPossessing greater physical extend and complexity than National Historic Sites
National Military Park, Battlefield, Battlefield ParkAreas associated with American military history.
National MemorialAn area that is primarily commemorateive of an historical subject or person.
National Recreation AreaLand and water set aside for recreational use.
National ParkwayEncompasses ribbons of land flanking roadways and offers an opportunity of leisurely driving through areas of scenic interest.

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About Me

I'm a weathered veteran of the dot-com wars with stops at iVillage, Juno Online Services, Fortunecity.com with a long stretch as the Operations Manager of Fodor's Travel Publications where I launched the first iteration of Fodors.com.

I started Outdoor Source Magazine because I'm a big outdoor enthusiast enjoying lots of activities ranging from hiking to backpacking to kayaking to BBQing.