Are you always looking for new parks to explore? Eager to stay up-to-date on the latest additions? Well, we’ve got just what you need. Introducing: the newest national parks! With these 9 new parks, there’s now a total of 407 national parks in the United States. Wow! Some of them are only little babies right now, still spreading their wings and waiting for land acquisitions, but others have been a part of their community for decades, loved and cared for by either public agencies or private organizations, and finally granted that elusive national park status. Seven new parks were added as part of the National Defense Authorization Act for 2015, signed by President Obama, and two were designated in February 2015 as part of Proclamations also signed by President Obama. Fun fact: the NPS hasn’t expanded this much since 1978, under President Carter.
Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
Nothing says “historical park” quite like this amalgamation of historical, cultural, and natural resources stretching all the way from Worcester, Massachusetts to Providence, Rhode Island. It contains not only a gorgeous landscape of sprawling forest, vernal pools, and wetlands, but also antique mills and mill villages from the days of the booming agricultural history. The Valley is known as the Birthplace of the American Industrial Revolution.
This park is popular for the bikers as well as the history buffs in the family. Blackstone River Bikeway, a soon-to-be 48-mile trail extending the entire breadth of the park, boasts as of today almost 20 miles of bike path for amateurs and biking gurus.
Valles Caldera National Preserve
If you’re a geology nut, you’re gonna want to pay close attention to this national park. There are only three supervolcanoes in the US: Yellowstone in Wyoming, Long Valley in California, and one right here in Valles Caldera, New Mexico. This particular supervolcano produced an enormous volcanic eruption over a million years ago that created the 12-mile-wide caldera, inspiring this national preserve that spreads over 89,000 acres and is home to a huge elk herd – nearly 3,000, in fact.
And heads up skiers! Whether you’re a beginner or have been riding the slopes for years, be prepared to enjoy miles of trails—with great views—during the winter, and 5,000 intact, free-range acres for the more adventurous skier.
World War I Memorial (Washington D.C.)
At only 1.76 acres, this memorial in Washington D.C. (previously known as Pershing Park) is not quite the smallest national park (the smallest, Thaddeus Koschieuszko National Memorial, is only 0.02 acres), but it comes pretty close. Still, that’s no reason to pass up this monument to American history. With opportunities for both relaxation and remembrance, you’ll get your fill of World War I trivia while exploring the thriving capital of the United States.
Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument
Just north of another capital, the Entertainment Capital of the World (a.k.a. Las Vegas), Tule Springs is known for its rich paleontological resources from as far back as the ice age. Mammoth and bison fossils abound, and you might even spot a direwolf fossil. Every Game of Thrones dream, am I right? You’ll want to keep both eyes on the ground for this one. With over 22,000 acres to traverse during your visit, including the long trenches created during the “Big Dig” in1962, you’re bound to spot something exciting.
This national park is currently closed to vehicles, but feel free to hike in, explore, and get fossil hunting.
Honouliuli National Monument (Hawaii)
Well, we’ve covered World War I, how about World War II? In western Oahu, Hawaii, the Honouliuli National Monument was dedicated earlier in 2015 to tell the history of internment and martial law in Hawaii during the second World War. The 120-acre site hidden deep inside an overgrown gulch was used as both a civilian internment camp and a prisoner of war camp in those days, though now it’s much more popular for those of us looking to learn more about our nation’s history.
New National Parks Pending
Four of the new national parks are still in the pending status. Coltsville National Historical Park in Hartford Connecticut is awaiting land acquisitions. It’s expected to draw more than 200,000 visitors a year to its 260 acres once completed. Keep up-to-date and you could be one of the first! The same goes for New York’s Harriet Tubman National Historical Park. Designed to commemorate women’s contributions to the nation’s development, this will be the first park to honor an African-American woman. The Manhattan Project National Historical Park, in three noncontiguous states: Tennessee, New Mexico and Washington, is awaiting an agreement between the Department of Energy and the NPS before you can mosey on over there. And, finally, the Pullman National Monument is still being renovated for public use. Just half an hour south of downtown Chicago, this National Park includes the Pullman State Historic Site as well as the 8100-acre Chicago Parks district, for passive recreation.
