MNN - Mother Nature Network

America's National Park Service oversees a vast array of parks, forests and conservation areas, as well as a number of historic sites. Travelers and outdoor enthusiasts who want to inject a little history into their summertime adventures will find plenty of options in national parks, national monuments and national historic parks. These sites are all connected to America's past and stand as important relics of the nation’s history.

 

In many national and historic parks, visitors will find physical representations of the narrative of the United States. These places range from sites that contain remnants of pre-Colombian societies to the battlefields of Revolutionary War, and from the early days of North American exploration to the birth of the modern conservation movement. Nature lovers, history buffs and even those with just a passing curiosity in the past, will no doubt find themselves enthralled with these historic places. Want to come face to face with the history of the United States? Here’s where to look.