Santa Cruz Island, United States

OutsideApr 28

The Best National Park Escapes Hiding Just Outside America’s Biggest Cities

Gas prices are insane, and air travel is chaotic and expensive right now. This is a problem, because you still love to travel. Summer is rapidly approaching and you need a break, but you don’t want to sacrifice your savings for a far-flung trip. Don’t worry; I have you covered. Our country’s largest metropolitan areas … Continued

30 things in this story

Fire IslandSightNational Seashore with wild beaches and historic buildings
Otis Pike High Dunes WildernessSightFederally designated wilderness area with maritime forest
Appalachian TrailTrailThe Appalachian Trail, also called the A.T., is a hiking trail in the Eastern United States, extending almost 2,200…
PhoenixSightRequest services and report issues using myPHX311.
Santa Cruz IslandSightIt is the largest island in California and largest of the eight islands in the Channel Islands archipelago and Channel…
Channel Islands National ParkNature reserveFive islands with remote beaches and steep cliffs
Burma TrailTrailSandy path through dunes, offers beach access
Watch Hill CampgroundPlaceOffers tent and safari-style tents near beach
Middle Delaware RiverParkNational recreation area with 40 miles of free-flowing river
Edge of the Woods OutfittersPlaceOffers kayak and tube rentals and shuttles
Worthington State ForestPlaceHas campsites near water with trail access
Long IslandNeighborhoodIt constitutes a significant share of the New York metropolitan area in both population and land area.
Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation AreaNature reserveLargest urban park with over 500 miles of trails
Point Mugu State ParkNature reservePark with two campgrounds, Sycamore Canyon best
Backbone TrailTrail67-mile trail through mountains with 12 trailheads
Mishe Mokwa TrailTrailPart of a scenic loop to Sandstone Peak
Sandstone PeakViewpointHighest point in Santa Monica Mountains
Santa RosaSightScenic island with Torrey pine forest and meadows
Island PackersFerry terminalOffers ferry service to the islands
Skunk PointSightWhere sand dunes and cliffs meet the Pacific
Water CanyonHotel15-site campground on Santa Rosa island
Indiana Dunes National ParkNature reserveProtects coastal wilderness on Lake Michigan
Cowles Bog TrailTrail4.7-mile loop through park ecosystems to beach
Dunewood CampgroundHotel66 sites located a mile south of the lake
Big Thicket National PreserveNature reserve97,000-acre preserve with nine ecosystems
Cooks Lake to Scatterman Paddling TrailTrail4.8-mile loop through rivers, swamps, and lakes
Village Creek State ParkParkAdjacent park with campsites near a free-flowing river
Tonto National MonumentNature reserveProtects Sonoran desert and two ancient cliff dwellings
Smithfield BeachSight
Kittatinny PointSight

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The Best National Park Escapes Hiding Just Outside America’s Biggest Cities