7 National Parks You've Never Heard Of

[Flying Horse]

(Dry Tortugas)

When Ulysses S. Grant declared Yellowstone the country's first national park in 1872, early conservationists could have only dreamed of the vast network of protected areas that grace America's states and territories today. Less than 140 years after Yellowstone's induction, the National Park Service now operates 397 parks and monuments. And from Nov. 11-13, you can enjoy their beauty and history for free (many are free year-round).
No doubt many visitors will take advantage of this largesse to visit Yellowstone, the Everglades and other crown jewels of the Park Service, but there are worlds of wonder beyond the well-trodden path. Why not take a chance on one of the Park Service's more unusual and lesser-visited locales? Check out the following:

• Dry Tortugas, Fla. Hot and remote, it is one of the Park service's most inaccessible destinations. The seven islands lie 70 miles west of Key West and get their namefrom the lack of fresh water (and an abundance of turtles), but tropical storms inundate the little archipelago often. You have to take a ferry or seaplane to reach the park, renowned for its marine life and snorkeling. It offers clean beaches and clear water, as well as an historic US fortress. Best of all, you probably won't have to share it with many others.
  
• Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial, Philadelphia.
  
  One of the smallest destination of the Park Service, it commemorates the life of an American Revolutionary hero. In includes exhibits and artifacts from Kosciuszko's military career in the country he helped to liberate. It is housed in his small Philly home of only .02 acres and is perfect for a quick historical tour.
  
• Aniakchak, Alaska. Only serious adventurers need apply for an expedition to this swath of land in southwest Alaska, encompassing the volcano tht gives the park its name. Txtreme weather, a rugged, remote landscape and various other inconveniences (i.e. bears) have earned Aniakchak its place as the very bottom rung on the popularity ladder. But the the natural riches of wild Alaska are a pot of gold for the few willing to seek out the end of this rainbow. Sure, by the Park Service's own estimates only a few dozen people make it out to Aniakchak each year, but what an unforgettable experience those determined few must have.
  
• African Burial Ground, New York. On the opposite end of the spectrum from Aniakchak is the African Burial Ground found in lower Manhattan. The monument preserves the remains of several hundred free and enslaved Africans buried in the 17th and 18th centuries. The burial ground was forgotten and built over in subsequent centuries, only to resurface in 1991 as a result of construction excavations. A monument and visitor center now honor the memories of the interred.
  
• Nicodemus National Historic Site, Kansas.
  
  Billed by the Park Service as "the oldest and only remaining all Black Town west of the Mississippi," Nicodemus was an important outpost for African Americans moving westward after the Civil War. The historical site in Kansas is comprised of several historic buildings within the still--living community of modern Nicodemus. The town also hosts historical festivals at points throughout the year.
  
• Hamilton Grange, New York.
  
  Many of the Park Service's most popular monuments are dedicated to familiar figures of American history. Abraham Lincoln's three memorials alone attracted over six million visitors in 2010 -- a far cry from the New York City home of Alexander Hamilton, which received only around 15,000 visitors a year before closing for renovations in 2006. Hamilton Grange was reopened in September and is now accepting visitors -- and at no charge.
  If Hamilton holds no interest for you, try another of the lesser-visited memorials dedicated to important Americans: the Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site in Brookline, Massachusetts, celebrates the life of the renowned landscape architect; the Flat Rock, North Carolina Carl Sandburg Home remembers the storied career of the quintessentially American poet; and in Washington D.C., the Mary McLeod Bethune Council House stands in remembrance of the early, determined civil rights activist and educator.
  
• Great Falls, Paterson, New Jersey. On Nov. 7th , Great Falls became the latest addition to the national park family. After a long fight by Paterson residents and officials to have the 77-foot waterfall recognized, their dreams were fulfilled -- partially -- by Monday's agreement. There remain years of work to mold Great Falls around National Park Service standards, but the will, and the funds, can now be brought fully to bear on the project.
  

[Deleted]

a lot of interesting places didn't know about.

[Flying Horse]

Neither had I before I posted this. I'm glad someone found it interesting too.

[mox]

"recveringalcoholic"

Best wishes to you. You CAN do it!