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Unbelievable! Massachusetts Is DEAD LAST In The Country For This



UNBELIEVABLE! MASSACHUSETTS IS DEAD LAST IN THE COUNTRY FOR THIS


Eric Greene
Eric GreenePublished: November 7, 2023
Andy Dean
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Every day in this country, this particular action occurs approximately 2,400
times. Or, to put it another way, every 36 seconds. Some of the reasons why it
happens include(but are not limited to) lack of sexual intimacy, emotional
distancing, resentment, lack of respect, and a breakdown in communications.

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What am I referring to? To quote the late, great Tammy Wynette's 1968 hit,
"D-I-V-O-R-C-E". And that stat I mentioned above is correct: A divorce happens
somewhere in this country every 36 seconds on average.

Divorce is never easy. At best, you just hope you and your spouse can at least
end things before you angrily and bitterly despise each other. The angel on your
shoulder says you should still remain friends, at the very least. After all, you
did love this person at one time, right?

Recently, the folks at BetMassachusetts.com, using data from the National Center
for Health Statistics, determined the states with the highest and lowest divorce
rates per 1,000 women.

And, although data for five states was not included (California, Hawaii,
Indiana, Minnesota, and New Mexico), the surprising thing to me was that
Massachusetts came in last. But wait--that's a good thing!

Out of the remaining states, Massachusetts ranked last with a divorce rate of
only 1%! For comparison's sake, the state that's home to Sin City, Nevada, was
#1 with a divorce rate of 4.2%. Hmmm, Las Vegas and a high divorce
rate--coincidence?

Here are the 5 states with the highest divorce rate according to
BetMassachusetts.com:

 1. Nevada
 2. Oklahoma
 3. Wyoming
 4. Alabama/Arkansas(tied for 4th)
 5. Arkansas/Alabama(tied for 4th)

And here are the five states with the lowest divorce rate:

 1. Massachusetts
 2. Illinois
 3. Texas
 4. Maryland
 5. Kansas

Good for us, Massachusetts! Way to stick by our partners for "better or worse"!
Take a look at the full rankings by visiting Bet Massachusetts' website here.


RANKED: HERE ARE THE MOST POPULAR NATIONAL PARKS

To determine the most popular national parks in the United
States, Stacker compiled data from the National Park Service on the number of
recreational visits each site had in 2020. Keep reading to discover the 50 most
popular national parks in the United States, in reverse order from #50 to #1.
And be sure to check with individuals parks before you visit to find out about
ongoing, pandemic-related safety precautions at www.nps.gov/coronavirus.

Gallery Credit: Hannah Lang


#50. Great Basin National Park

Arlene Waller // Shutterstock


#50. GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 120,248
- Percent of total national park visits: .18%

Located in Nevada, Great Basin National Park has both warm desert valleys and
mountains that reach up to 13,000 feet. Visitors can see fossils, caves, rock
formations, and even a glacier. Thanks to its wide elevation range, the park is
home to a large spread of biodiversity, including 73 species of mammals, 238
species of birds, and more than 800 plant species.


#49. Guadalupe Mountains National Park

ShuPhoto // Shutterstock


#49. GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 151,256
- Percent of total national park visits: .22%

Guadalupe Mountains National Park in Texas has the four highest peaks in the
state and protects the world's most extensive Permian fossil reef, making the
park a geologist's paradise. The Guadalupes were once home to the Mescalero
Apache Native Americans, and pictographs from early settlers can still be seen
in the park's caves. At one point, the Guadalupe Mountains were all underwater
in the Delaware Sea.


#48. Pinnacles National Park

Yhelfman // Shutterstock


#48. PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 165,740
- Percent of total national park visits: .24%

Pinnacles National Park in California was born after several volcanoes erupted,
forming the unique landscape of the park, which is packed with canyons, rock
spires, and woodlands. When the park was established in 1908, it was only 2,060
acres, but has now grown to 26,000. Because of hot summer temperatures,
Pinnacles is most popular in the winter months.



#47. Channel Islands National Park

Ethan Daniels // Shutterstock


#47. CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 167,290
- Percent of total national park visits: .25%

The gorgeous Channel Islands National Park in California is comprised of five
islands, each with a unique history. The northern islands were once home to the
native Chumash people and eventually European explorers who harvested fish from
the channel waters. The unique environment surrounding the islands contributes
to a huge amount of biological diversity that represents 1,000 miles of the West
Coast of North America.


#46. Virgin Islands National Park

Sean Pavone // Shutterstock


#46. VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 167,540
- Percent of total national park visits: .25%

Virgin Islands National Park comprises two-thirds of the island of St. John and
almost all of nearby Hassel Island. First inhabited between 2,500 and 3,000
years ago, St. John was home to the Taino people, colonial Europeans, and
enslaved Africans. Today the park offers stunning beaches, hikes to what were
once plantations when sugar monopolized the economy, a bird-viewing deck
overlooking a salt pond, and petroglyphs carved by the pre-Columbus Taino.

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#45. Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Doug Meek // Shutterstock


#45. CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 183,835
- Percent of total national park visits: .27%

Located in southern New Mexico, Carlsbad Caverns National Park's 119 caves were
born when sulfuric acid dissolved limestone millions of years ago, leaving
behind a treasure trove of caverns. The Big Room in Carlsbad Cavern is the
largest single cave chamber by volume in North America and takes an hour and a
half to cross, according to the National Park Service. Birders from around the
globe flock to Rattlesnake Spring to see some of the 300 documented bird
species.



#44. Voyageurs National Park

BlueBarronPhoto // Shutterstock


#44. VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 263,091
- Percent of total national park visits: .39%

Voyageurs National Park in Minnesota is 40% water, so many visitors navigate the
park by boat. The park is known for its spectacular view of the stars, and the
aurora borealis is sometimes visible. Moose, wolves, and black bears are just a
few of the animals that call the park home year-round.


#43. Redwood National Park

Bob Pool // Shutterstock


#43. REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 265,177
- Percent of total national park visits: .39%

While Redwood National Park in California is famous for the tallest trees on the
planet, the park also protects coastline and prairies. Visitors can watch the
gray whale migration at the Klamath River Overlook and walk on gray sands at
Gold Bluffs Beach with remains from the state's mining era. Animals including
Roosevelt elk, California sea lions, eagles, and banana slugs call the park
home.


#42. Mesa Verde National Park

Sopotnicki // Shutterstock


#42. MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 287,477
- Percent of total national park visits: .42%

Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado protects nearly 5,000 archaeological sites
that have preserved the history of the ancestral Pueblo people. They inhabited
the land for almost 700 years, building dwellings into the cliffs and
establishing communities before moving away. Visitors can both see and explore
several of the cliff dwellings through tours and hiking trails.



#41. Mammoth Cave National Park

Wangkun Jia // Shutterstock


#41. MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 290,392
- Percent of total national park visits: .43%

Kentucky's Mammoth Cave National Park is known for housing the world's longest
cave system, which stretches 400 miles. Though famous for its caves, the park
also has more than 70 threatened or endangered species that include birds,
crustaceans, and fish. It is believed that the first human entered Mammoth Cave
4,000 years ago.

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#40. Haleakala National Park

MH Anderson Photography // Shutterstock


#40. HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 319,147
- Percent of total national park visits: .47%

Haleakala National Park in Hawaii is home to a volcano with a 10,000-foot
summit, and is the highest point on Maui. Native Hawaiians have lived on this
land for more than 1,000 years, making this an important cultural site.
According to the National Park Service, many of the legends surrounding
Haleakala focus on the demigod Maui, and natives consider the summit to be the
place where Maui snared the sun in order to slow its passage through the sky.


#39. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

SL-Photography // Shutterstock


#39. BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 341,620
- Percent of total national park visits: .50%

The canyons and rock spires at Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park in
western Colorado can reach a surface temperature of up to 120 degrees. Many of
the desert creatures that call the park home use ephemeral pools in rocks as
their main water source. Some of the canyon's formations are up to 500 million
years old, and contain sedimentary, metamorphic, and igneous stones.



#38. Petrified Forest National Park

Felix Lipov // Shutterstock


#38. PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 384,483
- Percent of total national park visits: .57%

Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is home to the gorgeous Painted Desert
and Crystal Forest, where petrified logs shine with quartz crystals. The site in
the park known as Newspaper Rock contains more than 650 petroglyphs between 650
and 2,000 years old. The landscape of the park features mesas and buttes created
by erosion.


#37. Big Bend National Park

Eric Foltz // Shutterstock


#37. BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 393,907
- Percent of total national park visits: .58%

Big Bend National Park in Texas offers spectacular views of the Chihuahuan
Desert landscape as well as the Rio Grande. Visitors to the park can even enter
Mexico through the park's Boquillas Crossing Port of Entry. Big Bend has more
species of birds, bats, and cacti than any other national park in the United
States.


#36. Biscayne National Park

NPS // Wikimedia Commons


#36. BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 402,770
- Percent of total national park visits: .59%

Biscayne National Park located just next to Miami is an ocean-lover's paradise,
with crystal clear waters, colorful coral reefs, and more than 500 species of
reef fish. Visitors also have the chance to spot manatees, sea turtles, and
pelicans. Though the park comprises several islands, 95% of the park is actually
water.

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#35. Kings Canyon National Park

Patrick Poendl // Shutterstock


#35. KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 415,077
- Percent of total national park visits: .61%

Kings Canyon National Park in California boasts giant sequoia trees, a tall
granite dome with sweeping views, and a marble cavern known as Crystal Cave.
Because the park has an elevation gradient of more than 13,000 feet, it plays
host to around 1,300 plant species and 300 animal species.


#34. White Sands National Park

Galyna Andrushko // Shutterstock


#34. WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 415,383
- Percent of total national park visits: .61%

The park is aptly named, featuring wavy white sands over nearly 300 square miles
in New Mexico's Tularosa Basin. This is the world's largest gypsum dunefield,
and the park preserves a major part of it. Visits can include the park's
historic district, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the
Lucero Ranch on the shore of Lake Lucero and the White Sands Missile Range
Museum and Trinity Site, where in 1945 the first atomic bomb was tested.


#33. Wind Cave National Park

Zack Frank // Shutterstock


#33. WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 448,405
- Percent of total national park visits: .66%

Wind Cave National Park in South Dakota is famous for its rare boxwork cave
formations that consist of paper-thin intersecting lines of calcite. Other
unique formations include popcorn, frostwork, dogtooth spar crystals, and
flowstone. Exploration of the cave began in 1881 when brothers Jesse and Tom
Bingham discovered a small hole in the ground, which was the cave's sole natural
opening.



#32. Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve

Kris Wiktor // Shutterstock


#32. GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE

- Recreational visits in 2020: 461,532
- Percent of total national park visits: .68%

Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado is famous for the tallest sand dunes
in North America, that stretch 30 miles across. The park is also home to five
alpine lakes, forests, meadows, and grasslands. Popular activities in the park
include sand sledding and sand boarding as well as horseback riding and swimming
in the Medano Creek.


#31. Gateway Arch National Park

Paul Brady Photography // Shutterstock


#31. GATEWAY ARCH NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 486,021
- Percent of total national park visits: .72%
Unlike many other national parks, the Gateway Arch National Park in Missouri is
located in a major city and isn't focused on preserving wildlife. The park
contains the 630-foot Gateway Arch monument and St. Louis' Old Courthouse. The
courthouse was where the first two trials of the landmark Dred Scott case were
held in 1847 and 1850. The arch is the nation's tallest monument.
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#30. Canyonlands National Park

Manamana // Shutterstock


#30. CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 493,914
- Percent of total national park visits: .73%

Utah's Canyonlands National Park features a unique landscape of canyons, mesas,
and buttes formed by the Colorado River and its tributaries. Even though the
park is considered a desert, its high elevation gives it a varying climate;
temperatures here can fluctuate as much as 50 degrees in a day. This, combined
with the low annual rainfall, make the park a perfect home for drought-resistant
plants such as cacti, yuccas, and mosses.



#29. Lassen Volcanic National Park

Zack Frank // Shutterstock


#29. LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 542,274
- Percent of total national park visits: .80%

Each rock at Lassen Volcanic National Park in California is a result of a
volcanic eruption, given that the park has been volcanically active for 3
million years. The world's four volcanic types--shield, composite, cinder cone,
and plug dome--are all present at the park and located in close proximity to
each other. Park visitors can also check out the park's several fumaroles, mud
pots, and boiling pools.


#28. Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Laurens Hoddenbagh // Shutterstock


#28. THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 551,303
- Percent of total national park visits: .81%

Located in North Dakota, Theodore Roosevelt National Park's dominating feature
is the badlands, which are colorful, rolling hills consisting of rock that are
millions of years old. Erosion and other natural processes like lightning
strikes and prairie fires continue to shape the badlands today. The park is of
course named for the U.S. president who first came to the Dakotas in 1883 to
hunt bison.


#27. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

jo Crebbin // Shutterstock


#27. HAWAII VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 589,775
- Percent of total national park visits: .87%

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is home to the Kilauea Volcano and periodically
erupting Mauna Loa. Mauna Loa has the most mass of any mountain on Earth,
occupying a volume of about 20,000 cubic miles. The park was created to preserve
the natural setting of both Kilauea and Mauna Loa, as well as the Big Island's
native plants and animals.



#26. Crater Lake National Park

Hank Shiffman // Shutterstock


#26. CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 670,500
- Percent of total national park visits: .99%

Crater Lake National Park in Oregon was formed when a volcanic eruption at Mount
Mazama triggered the collapse of a tall peak, forming the deepest lake in the
United States. The crater, also known as a caldera, is 5 to 6 miles long and
3,900 feet deep, making it the seventh-deepest lake in the world, the National
Park Service reports. Because the lake doesn't have any inlets or outlets, the
water comes entirely from precipitation, giving it a clear blue hue.

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#25. Everglades National Park

Simon Dannhauer // Shutterstock


#25. EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 702,319
- Percent of total national park visits: 1.03%

Everglades National Park is of such biological importance that it is also a
World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, and Wetland of
International Importance. The park protects rare and endangered species,
including the manatee, American crocodile, and Florida panther. Bird watching is
a popular activity in the park, with blue herons, bald eagles, and
red-shouldered hawks to spot.


#24. Saguaro National Park

kojihirano // Shutterstock


#24. SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 762,226
- Percent of total national park visits: 1.12%

As its name suggests, Saguaro National Park in Arizona protects giant saguaro
cacti, a symbol of the American West. The average lifespan of one of these cacti
is 125 years old, and it produces sweet fruits. The park is also home to a
variety of animals, many of which can only be found in the southern part of the
state, including kangaroo rats, roadrunners, and horned lizards.



#23. Sequoia National Park

Virrage Images // Shutterstock


#23. SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 796,086
- Percent of total national park visits: 1.17%

Sequoia National Park is adjacent to Kings Canyon National Park in California
and was the first park established to protect a living organism: its native
sequoia trees. Since World War II, Sequoia and Kings Canyon have been
administered jointly. In 2014, Sierra Nevada bighorn sheep were reintroduced to
the park for the first time in 100 years as part of a recovery effort for this
endangered species.


#22. Death Valley National Park

Bryan Brazil // Shutterstock


#22. DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 820,023
- Percent of total national park visits: 1.21%

Death Valley National Park in California and Nevada is home to the driest,
lowest, and hottest spot in North America. The park was once home to a variety
of different people, including the Timbisha Shoshone Native Americans, Chinese
workers, the Basque people, and Japanese American internees, according to the
National Park Service. Today, visitors can experience the park's sand dunes,
salt flats, and a dry lakebed known as the Racetrack Playa.


#21. Badlands National Park

Matt Ragen // Shutterstock


#21. BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 916,932
- Percent of total national park visits: 1.35%

The striking landscape of Badlands National Park in South Dakota contains one of
the world's richest fossil beds. At one point, it was home to the rhino and
saber-toothed cat. The Badlands were formed nearly 70 million years ago by
erosion and deposition of sediment when an ancient sea was located where today's
Great Plains are. Erosion will eventually entirely erase the Badlands.

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#20. Capitol Reef National Park

Layne V. Naylor // Shutterstock


#20. CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 981,038
- Percent of total national park visits: 1.44%

Capitol Reef National Park in Utah is famous for the Waterpocket Fold, a
geologic monocline extending almost 100 miles and considered a "wrinkle on the
earth." The fold was formed 50 to 70 million years ago as a warp in the Earth's
crust, and erosion has exposed the fold at the surface. The park has some of the
darkest night skies in the United States, so much so that it has been designated
an International Dark Sky Park.


#19. New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Steve Heap // Shutterstock


#19. NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK & PRESERVE

- Recreational visits in 2020: 1,054,374
- Percent of total national park visits: 1.55%

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve consists of 70,000 acres along the New
River, a whitewater river in southern West Virginia that despite its name is one
of the oldest on the continent. From the Canyon Rim Visitor Center, the sides of
the valley fall almost 900 feet into the deepest and longest river gorge in the
Appalachian Mountains. Visitors can go whitewater rafting or canoeing, rock
climbing, bird watching, camping, hiking, or biking along an old railroad grade.


#18. Mount Rainier National Park

Diane Fetzner // Shutterstock


#18. MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 1,160,754
- Percent of total national park visits: 1.71%

Located in Washington, Mount Rainier National Park is famous for housing the
most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States. Mount Rainier is the
highest volcano in the Cascade Range, and experiences about 20 small earthquakes
a year. Some of the animals that visitors regularly spot at the park include
mountain goats, ravens, elk, and black bears.



#17. Arches National Park

Manamana // Shutterstock


#17. ARCHES NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 1,238,083
- Percent of total national park visits: 1.82%

Arches National Park in Utah lives up to its name and has more than 2,000
natural stone arches, the densest concentration of natural stone arches in the
world. These sandstone geological formations are the result of erosion and a
thick layer of salt beneath the rock surface. The arches are impermanent,
however; the 71-foot Wall Arch collapsed in 2008.


#16. Hot Springs National Park

Zack Frank // Shutterstock


#16. HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 1,348,215
- Percent of total national park visits: 1.98%

Known as "The American Spa," Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas has thermal
waters with soothing properties. Typically, hot springs pop up in areas with
volcanic activity and are rare in the central part of the continent. These hot
springs are situated along a fault on the western side of Hot Springs Mountain.

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#15. Bryce Canyon National Park

ronnybas frimages // Shutterstock


#15. BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 1,464,655
- Percent of total national park visits: 2.16%

Bryce Canyon National Park in Utah has the world's largest collection of
hoodoos, pillars of rock left standing after erosion. Bryce Canyon contains a
series of natural amphitheaters and bowls, the most famous being Bryce
Amphitheater, which is full of the park's iconic hoodoos. The park is one of
three national parks to house the Grand Staircase geological formation, which is
a giant sequence of sedimentary rock layers.



#14. Shenandoah National Park

Jon Bilous // Shutterstock


#14. SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 1,666,265
- Percent of total national park visits: 2.45%

Just 75 miles from the nation's capital, Shenandoah National Park in Virginia
showcases the Blue Ridge Mountains and is home to 90 perennial streams, many of
which turn into cascading waterfalls. While many native species have been lost
over time, today the park has more than 200 bird species, 50 mammal species, and
more than 35 fish species, the National Park Service reports. The park is
popular with hikers, with 500 miles of trails, including 101 miles of the famed
Appalachian Trail.


#13. Glacier National Park

Pung // Shutterstock


#13. GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 1,698,864
- Percent of total national park visits: 2.50%

Glacier National Park in Montana is responsible for housing streams that flow
into the Pacific Ocean, the Gulf of Mexico, and Hudson's Bay. Because of this,
it has become home to a variety of plants and animals, so much so that it has
been designated an International Biosphere Reserve and World Heritage Site. The
park was carved from glaciers dating back 10,000 years, exposing bedrock that
has helped scientists understand the Earth's movement.


#12. Yosemite National Park

Stephen Moehle // Shutterstock


#12. YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 2,268,313
- Percent of total national park visits: 3.34%

Yosemite National Park in California is home to the 2,425-foot Yosemite Falls,
the largest waterfall in North America. With 800 miles of hiking, there's plenty
to explore, including enormous granite mountains, such at Mt. Lyell, the park's
tallest point. Visitors can enjoy the Mariposa Grove of giant sequoia trees, the
peaceful Hetch Hetchy Valley, and rock formations carved by ancient glaciers.



#11. Indiana Dunes National Park

Delmas Lehman // Shutterstock


#11. INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 2,293,106
- Percent of total national park visits: 3.38%

With 15 miles of Lake Michigan shoreline for swimming, surfing, and paddling,
beachgoers may forget they're in Indiana. For those interested in hiking and
biking, there are more than 50 miles of trails of varying difficulty through
dunes, wetlands, forests, and prairies, with a handicap accessible trail at the
Portage Lakefront and Riverwalk. Note that the only area with lifeguards present
is West Beach--also the only site with a fee--during the summer months.

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#10. Joshua Tree National Park

Dennis Silvas // Shutterstock


#10. JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 2,399,542
- Percent of total national park visits: 3.53%

Joshua Tree National Park in California was named after its picturesque, spiky
Joshua trees. Mormon immigrants named the trees after the biblical Joshua after
noticing that the limbs looked as if they were outstretched in prayer. Many of
the park's animals, including the Scott's orioles, wood rats, and desert night
lizards, depend on the tree for food and shelter. Keys View in the park offers
an incredible view of the Coachella Valley, the San Andreas Fault, and San
Jacinto.


#9. Olympic National Park

f11photo // Shutterstock


#9. OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 2,499,177
- Percent of total national park visits: 3.68%

Olympic National Park in Washington has temperate rainforests, glacier-topped
mountains, and more than 70 miles of coastline. The park was established in 1938
to protect some of the state's quickly vanishing forests, and now protects one
of the largest remaining blocks of temperate rainforest in the lower 48 states.
Visitors to the park can see Mount Olympus, which stands 7,980 feet high, on a
clear day.



#8. Acadia National Park

Romiana Lee // Shutterstock


#8. ACADIA NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 2,669,034
- Percent of total national park visits: 3.93%

Acadia National Park in Maine protects the highest rocky headlands along the
Atlantic coastline in the United States, including Cadillac Mountain, the
tallest mountain on the eastern coast of the country. Granite ridges in the park
were formed by glaciers that measured up to 9,000 feet thick, and evidence of
their presence is visible throughout the park.


#7. Cuyahoga Valley National Park

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#7. CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 2,755,628
- Percent of total national park visits: 4.06%

Near Cleveland and Akron, Ohio's Cuyahoga Valley National Park preserves the
beauty of the Cuyahoga River and showcases the historic route of the Ohio and
Erie Canal. Popular attractions at the park include the 65-foot Brandywine Falls
waterfall, Beaver Marsh, and the National Park Scenic train. The park is home to
an astounding 900 plant species, 194 bird species, and almost two dozen reptile
species.


#6. Grand Canyon National Park

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#6. GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 2,897,098
- Percent of total national park visits: 4.26%

Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is synonymous with its world-famous canyon
that is 18 miles wide and 1 mile deep. The park encompasses more than 1 million
acres and consists of raised plateaus and structural basins. The Grand Canyon is
considered one of the best examples of arid land erosion in the world. It has a
rich and diverse fossil record, and the land offers a detailed record of three
out of the four geological eras.

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#5. Grand Teton National Park

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#5. GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 3,289,638
- Percent of total national park visits: 4.84%

Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming has a rich history beginning 11,000 years
ago when nomadic paleo-Indians harvested berries, crafted stone tools, and
fished in lakes, leaving behind evidence for historians. The weather in the park
can get unbearably cold: The lowest temperature ever recorded was -63 degrees
Fahrenheit. The center line of the 2017 solar eclipse was visible from the park,
sending it into totality against the backdrop of its glacier-carved landscape.


#4. Rocky Mountain National Park

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#4. ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 3,305,199
- Percent of total national park visits: 4.87%

Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado is home to some of the highest
mountains in the continental United States. Sixty mountain peaks measure in at
more than 12,000 feet high, making the park a popular destination for hikers.
Visitors can fish at more than 50 lakes and streams.


#3. Zion National Park

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#3. ZION NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 3,591,254
- Percent of total national park visits: 5.29%

Zion National Park was Utah's first national park and is famous for its
landscape of giant colorful sandstone cliffs. Around 12,000 years ago, the first
people to visit this land tracked mammoths, giant sloths, and camels until those
animals died about 8,000 years ago, the National Park Service says. Because of
the range in elevation in the park, it has more than 1,000 diverse plant
species.



#2. Yellowstone National Park

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#2. YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 3,806,306
- Percent of total national park visits: 5.60%

Yellowstone National Park spans three states: Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. As
the world's first national park, Yellowstone has plenty to offer, including the
famed Old Faithful geyser, Mt. Washburn, and the Mammoth Hot Springs. The park
is one of the largest nearly intact temperate-zone ecosystems on Earth, making
it home to the largest concentration of mammals in the lower 48 states.


#1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

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#1. GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK

- Recreational visits in 2020: 12,095,720
- Percent of total national park visits: 17.81%

Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the border between North Carolina and
Tennessee is the most biodiverse park in the National Park system, with more
than 19,000 documented species. The Smokies are among the oldest mountain ranges
in the world. On average, more than 85 inches of rain falls in the park each
year, fueling 2,100 miles of streams and rivers that flow through the park.

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SEE THE MUST-DRIVE ROADS IN EVERY STATE

Gallery Credit: Sarah Jones


Alabama: Lookout Mountain Parkway

Jim Bauer // Wikipedia Commons


ALABAMA: LOOKOUT MOUNTAIN PARKWAY

Prepare for 93 miles of mountain laurel and rhododendrons. Lookout Mountain
Parkway spans three states from Alabama to Tennessee, and it’s home to the
world’s longest yard sale. Every August, people holding yard sales line the
parkway with everything from bike parts and overalls to antique china and
vintage luggage.

Alaska: Seward Highway

Kate Mereand // Wikimedia Commons


ALASKA: SEWARD HIGHWAY

The 127-mile stretch between Anchorage and Seward is designated as a national
forest scenic byway, offering astounding views of the glaciated Kenai Mountains.
After heading out from Anchorage, make a quick pitstop at the Turnagain Arm Pit
Shack for some roadside BBQ and Southern-style fried okra. 


Arizona: Apache Trail

Bernard Gagnon // Wikimedia Commons


ARIZONA: APACHE TRAIL

Interested in rugged sandstone canyons and a ghost town? The Apache Trail, also
known as Highway 88, snakes 45 miles through Arizonian peaks and valleys in an
area historically known for its mining towns. For Wild West fun, stop by
the Goldfield Ghost Town, a dusty old town with a steakhouse saloon.



Arkansas: Crowley Ridge Parkway

Wikimedia Commons


ARKANSAS: CROWLEY RIDGE PARKWAY

The Crowley Ridge Parkway emerges from northeast Arkansas, running along
Crowley’s Ridge for over 200 miles. Besides touring Civil War battlefields and
bountiful orchards, visitors can stop by the Hemingway-Pfeiffer Museum and
Educational Center in Piggott, where Ernest and Pauline Pfeiffer converted their
old barn into a writing studio for Hemingway.


California: Pacific Coast Highway

Diliff // Wikimedia Commons


CALIFORNIA: PACIFIC COAST HIGHWAY

Running along roughly 650 miles of craggy cliffsides on the Pacific Coast of
California, Highway 1 boasts the Golden Gate Bridge, Big Sur, the boardwalk of
Santa Cruz, Hearst Castle in San Simeon, the Danish Village of Solvang, the surf
of both Santa Barbara and Malibu, San Diego’s Sea World and more. The longest
drive between In-N-Out locations is just over three hours.


Colorado: Pikes Peak Highway

DrunkDriver // Wikimedia Commons


COLORADO: PIKES PEAK HIGHWAY

Beginning at 7,400 feet, Pikes Peak Highway climbs an additional 6,715 feet in
only 19 miles to the mountain’s summit, which tops out at 14,115 feet. Don’t
forget a fishing pole, as the highway has three different well-stocked lakes to
cast a line into. 



Connecticut: Connecticut River Loop

Kevinpepin // Wikimedia Commons


CONNECTICUT: CONNECTICUT RIVER LOOP

You don’t have to travel to Europe to see a castle: There’s one along the
Connecticut River Loop. Passing through the iconic New England towns of Essex
and Old Lyme, this 32-mile loop boasts a 20th-century castle. The Gillette
Castle, built between 1914 and 1919, was originally owned by actor William
Hooker Gillette, most notable for his portrayal of Sherlock Holmes.


Delaware: Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway

Hagley Museum and Library // Wikimedia Commons


DELAWARE: BRANDYWINE VALLEY SCENIC BYWAY

The Brandywine Valley Scenic Byway is for the old soul romantic. Along the
approximately 12.25 miles of 20th-century mansions and enchanting gardens, stop
by the 60-acre wild garden at the Winterthur Museum (former estate of Henry
Francis du Pont) or see simply luscious native orchids in the garden of Mt. Cuba
Center. 


Florida: A1A Coastal Byway

Elbie Ancona // Wikimedia Commons


FLORIDA: A1A COASTAL BYWAY

This 72-mile, mostly two-lane roadway boasts nearly 100 different art venues and
premier galleries. Along the A1A, make a pit stop in St. Augustine, the nation’s
oldest city, to view the “Lost Colony” collection at the St. Augustine Art
Association, which includes the works of E.B. Warren, Walter Cole, Tod
Lindenmuth, William L’Engle, Emmett Fritz and others.



Georgia: Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway

Thomson20192 // Wikimedia Commons


GEORGIA: RUSSELL-BRASSTOWN SCENIC BYWAY

With views of the Chattahoochee River and the Appalachian Mountains, the
Russell-Brasstown Scenic Byway’s 41-mile loop offers some of the most luscious
views of Georgia’s timberland. Four different states can be seen from the top of
Brasstown Bald Mountain.


Hawaii: Hana Highway

slehfer // Flickr


HAWAII: HANA HIGHWAY

Aptly nicknamed “The Divorce Highway,” the Hana Highway in Maui is 52 miles of
heart-stopping hairpin curves and one-lane bridges. Its dozens of blind spots
make the roadway both dangerous and exhilarating. Imagine renting a convertible
roadster to enjoy the seaside cliffs and waterfalls.


Idaho: Mesa Falls Scenic Byway

Brenton Cooper // Flickr


IDAHO: MESA FALLS SCENIC BYWAY

Only 26 miles long from its starting point in Ashton to its endpoint in the
Island Park area, the Mesa Falls Scenic Byway is home to two of the most
stunning waterfalls in the West, the Lower and Upper Mesa Falls. Plan to picnic
at the base of the Upper Mesa Falls, which plunges a whopping 114 feet—as tall
as a 10-story building.



Illinois: Ohio River Scenic Byway

Daniel Schwen // Wikimedia Commons


ILLINOIS: OHIO RIVER SCENIC BYWAY

The Ohio River Scenic Byway in Illinois travels along the Ohio River for 188
miles, passing through the Shawnee National Forest. For breathtaking views of
the woodlands along this route, buckle up and hit the byway between spring and
fall when the wildflowers are in full bloom.


Indiana: Historic National Road

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INDIANA: HISTORIC NATIONAL ROAD

Thomas Jefferson commissioned Indiana's 156-mile Historic National Road in 1806,
making it the country's first federally funded interstate. For those looking for
a retro experience, a pit stop at National Road Antique Mall in Cambridge City
is essential. With over 85 antique dealers, finding vintage glassware will be as
easy and breezy as the drive. 


Iowa: Loess Hills National Scenic Byway

Bill Whittaker // Wikimedia Commons


IOWA: LOESS HILLS NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY

With 200 miles of rolling hills and quiet prairies, the Loess Hills National
Scenic Byway is a road made for rolling the windows down. Take in farm after
farm and wrap up the drive with wine tasting at Bodega Victoriana.



Kansas: Flint Hills National Scenic Byway

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KANSAS: FLINT HILLS NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY

Flint Hills National Scenic Byway travels along the Tallgrass Prairie National
Preserve, home to prairie dogs, tall grass and monarch butterflies. Grab brisket
sandwiches and fried mushrooms at Hays House Restaurant in Council
Grove—the restaurant was established in the mid-1800s by Seth Hays,
great-grandson of American pioneer Daniel Boone.


Kentucky: Country Music Highway, U.S. 23

J654567 // Wikimedia Commons


KENTUCKY: COUNTRY MUSIC HIGHWAY, U.S. 23

The relatively young Country Music Highway of eastern Kentucky wasn’t recognized
as a National Scenic Byway until June 2002. The 144-mile highway is a tribute to
all the county music stars born in the region, including Loretta Lynn, Wynonna
and Naomi Judd, Billy Ray Cyrus, Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, and more. Around
the area in June? Add the Seedtime on the Cumberland music festival to the list
of necessary stops. 


Louisiana: Cajun Corridor Byway

Tim Boyd // Wikimedia Commons


LOUISIANA: CAJUN CORRIDOR BYWAY

No need to pack a picnic lunch on this road trip—eat your way across the 34-mile
Cajun Corridor Byway one shrimp, crawfish and oyster at a time. Get gumbo
at Suire's Grocery & Restaurant in Kaplan, devour a crawfish po’boy at Bon
Creole in New Iberia, and wash everything down with oyster shots at Black’s
Oyster Bar & Seafood in Abbeville. 



Maine: Acadia All-American Road

National Parks Service


MAINE: ACADIA ALL-AMERICAN ROAD

Passing through Acadia National Park, the 40-mile Acadia All-American Road winds
its way around overgrown forests and small coastal fishing towns. Shake off road
fatigue in Bar Harbor, a picturesque yacht and lobster boat paradise in “Down
East” Maine. Bar Harbor Lobster Company offers reasonably priced lobster plates
and French fries and a rum bar to boot.

Maryland: Mason and Dixon Scenic Byway

Famartin // Wikimedia Commons


MARYLAND: MASON AND DIXON SCENIC BYWAY

Ease into the 102-mile Mason and Dixon Scenic Byway with downtime (and maybe a
little fishing) at the Prettyboy Reservoir in Hampstead. If passing through
Westminster during the middle of July, cruise over to Common Ground on the Hill
Music & Arts Festival at the Carroll County Farm Museum.


Massachusetts: Mount Greylock Scenic Byway

Jstergis // Wikimedia Commons


MASSACHUSETTS: MOUNT GREYLOCK SCENIC BYWAY

16.3 miles is a short distance to go for such a spectacular view. At 3,491 feet
in elevation, Mount Greylock gifts its road trippers with a panoramic view of
five different states. Henry David Thoreau climbed to the top of Mount Greylock
in July 1844, and after a night’s rest, he claimed to experience a kind of
enlightenment.



Michigan: M-22

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MICHIGAN: M-22

Hit the 116-mile M-22 scenic drive along Lake Michigan in the fall, when
Manistee, Benzie and Leelanau counties are blanketed in hues of gold and orange.
Find time to explore the lighthouses of the Sleeping Bear Dunes National
Lakeshore or nibble a Greek pizza at Riverfront Pizza in Glen Arbor before
visiting The Cottage Book Shop. 


Minnesota: Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway

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MINNESOTA: PAUL BUNYAN SCENIC BYWAY

The Paul Bunyan Scenic Byway is 54 miles of country roads in the middle of
Minnesota. Never without a lakeside view, this byway showcases lots of sandy
beaches and swimming holes. Pull over at Pelican Lake to play a game of
horseshoes on Breezy Point Beach. 


Mississippi: Natchez Trace Parkway

Tony Webster // Wikimedia Commons


MISSISSIPPI: NATCHEZ TRACE PARKWAY

Crossing three different states, the Natchez Trace Parkway spans 444 miles of
four diverse ecosystems. The riverine forest of lower Mississippi is a safe
corridor for all kinds of mammals, and it’s not uncommon to see red foxes,
deer and river otters. Avid birder? Don’t forget the binoculars—the Natchez
Trace is home to 134 confirmed species of birds.



Missouri: Glade Top Trail

Ralph Arvesen // Flickr


MISSOURI: GLADE TOP TRAIL

Cutting through the Mark Twain National Forest, the glades of this 23-mile
trail are home to the roadrunner and Bachman's sparrow, a state endangered
species. In the summer months, the rolling countryside is covered in yellow and
purple coneflowers, daisy-like flowers that attract both birds and butterflies. 


Montana: Going-to-the-Sun Road

Ken Lund // Flickr


MONTANA: GOING-TO-THE-SUN ROAD

Open seasonally, the Going-to-the-Sun Road in Montana’s Glacier Park is 50 miles
of big mountains, plunging waterfalls and massive glaciers. For 33 miles of the
drive, there isn't a single service station or restaurant to be found. However,
travelers may meet a few mountain goats and bighorn sheep near Logan Pass.


Nebraska: Outlaw Trail

Ammodramus // Wikimedia Commons


NEBRASKA: OUTLAW TRAIL

Infamous for harboring thieves and notorious ruffians, the Outlaw Trail along
Nebraska Highway 12 stretches 231 miles from South Sioux City to Valentine. Make
a stop in Crofton to hide out at the Historic Argo Hotel for a night or two,
unless the paranormal activity in the hotel’s basement is too spooky.



Nevada: Valley of Fire Road

Stan Shebs // Wikimedia Commons


NEVADA: VALLEY OF FIRE ROAD

It doesn't have the most inviting name, but the Valley of Fire Road is 23.3
miles of desert bliss. Surrounded by bright red Aztec sandstone formations, this
bumpy roadway winds through the Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada’s oldest state
park. Hollywood is a big fan of this desert valley—in fact, it was here that
Captain Kirk fell to his death.


New Hampshire: Mt. Washington Auto Road

Famartin // Wikimedia Commons


NEW HAMPSHIRE: MT. WASHINGTON AUTO ROAD

Opening with one dirt lane in August 1861, the Mt. Washington Auto Road is
considered America’s oldest manmade attraction. Its steep, winding climb and the
area’s ever-changing weather conditions make the drive unpredictable and
dangerous. Drivers fond of heights and narrow mountain roads sans guardrails
will find this roadway exhilarating.


New Jersey: Palisades Interstate Parkway

Ken Lund // Flickr


NEW JERSEY: PALISADES INTERSTATE PARKWAY

From the George Washington Bridge in New Jersey to the Bear Mountain Bridge in
New York, the Palisades Interstate Parkway runs a total of 42 miles, offering
stunning cliffside views of the Hudson River. 11 miles of the Palisades
Interstate Parkway are in New Jersey, and this portion of the parkway boasts
three different lookouts, each over 400 feet high.



New Mexico: Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway

Shelia McClune // Wikimedia Commons


NEW MEXICO: ENCHANTED CIRCLE SCENIC BYWAY

The 83-mile loop of the Enchanted Circle Scenic Byway in New Mexico crosses the
Rio Grande, the sage-covered mesa of Taos Canyon, the Sangre de Cristo
Mountains, the Hondo River and many colorful towns along the way. Brake for
chicken-fried steak and eggs at Shotgun Willie's in Red River.


New York: Cayuga Lake Scenic Byway

Stilfehler // Wikimedia Commons


NEW YORK: CAYUGA LAKE SCENIC BYWAY

Cascading waterfalls, quaint farms and villages and 16 different wineries make
this road a must-drive. Looping all the way around Cayuga Lake, this
86-mile upstate byway has its own wine trail. And what would wine country amid
waterfalls and gorges be without a handful of bed and breakfasts? 


North Carolina: Tail of the Dragon at Deals Gap

Wikimedia Commons


NORTH CAROLINA: TAIL OF THE DRAGON AT DEALS GAP

Searching for a blood-tingling section of asphalt? With 316 hairpin curves in
only 11 miles, the Tail of the Dragon has the thills that serious drivers dream
about. This roadway isn’t about its woodland scenery—it’s about the road itself.
Motorcycles and sports cars are highly recommended.



North Dakota: Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit Scenic Byway

Sharon Mollerus // Flickr


NORTH DAKOTA: THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK NORTH UNIT SCENIC BYWAY

The Theodore Roosevelt National Park North Unit Scenic Byway is more than a
mouthful—it’s a 13.7-mile loop through the North Unit of the Theodore Roosevelt
National Park. The open prairies of this region are home to bison and prairie
dogs. Pause at the Oxbow Outlook toward the end of the byway for a sweeping
panoramic view of the Badlands. 


Ohio: Hocking Hills Scenic Byway

James St. John // flickr


OHIO: HOCKING HILLS SCENIC BYWAY

The Hocking Hills Scenic Byway takes drivers deep into the rolling woodlands of
southeast Ohio. Spanning from Rockbridge to South Bloomingville, this 32-mile
roadway of unique rock formations, lush gorges and misty waterfalls is beyond
blissful. Insider tip: push this drive off until fall, when the foliage is
positively divine. 

Oklahoma: Wichita Mountains Byway

Nyttend // Wikimedia Commons


OKLAHOMA: WICHITA MOUNTAINS BYWAY

Oklahoma’s Wichita Mountains Byway meanders 93 miles through rocky lowlands,
prairies full of wildflowers and a handful of small towns. Grab a latte and
blackberry scone at Cobblescones Coffee in Medicine Park before hitting the road
to the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge, where it's not uncommon to hear a few
wild turkeys gobble.



Oregon: Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway

Jeffery Johnson // Wikimedia Commons


OREGON: VOLCANIC LEGACY SCENIC BYWAY

From one volcano to another, the Volcanic Legacy Scenic Byway begins in Mount
Lassen, California, and ends nearly 500 miles away in Crater Lake, Oregon. The
piney mountains and green valleys on the drive are gorgeous, but the scenic
crown of this road trip is worn by the dark blue waters of Crater Lake that fill
the caldera of Mount Mazama.


Pennsylvania: Gateway to the Endless Mountains

Nicholas A. Tonelli // Flickr


PENNSYLVANIA: GATEWAY TO THE ENDLESS MOUNTAINS

The Gateway to the Endless Mountains takes drivers deep into the greenery of
what could be mistaken for Middle-Earth but is actually Pennsylvania. With
spectacular views of the slowly winding Susquehanna River, this road offers 34
miles of natural splendor and wine. Stop in at the Grovedale Winery for a flight
of red or white.


Rhode Island: Ocean Drive

Daderot // Wikimedia Commons


RHODE ISLAND: OCEAN DRIVE

Ocean Drive, also known as “Ten Mile Drive,” traverses 10 miles along the
Atlantic through Newport, Rhode Island. The drive is dotted with Gilded Age
mansions, seaside towns and boutiques and sandy beaches. Around in July? Stretch
your legs at the Newport Music Festival, which hosts over 60 classical concerts.



South Carolina: Cherokee Foothills Scenic Byway

Mld74 // Wikimedia Commons


SOUTH CAROLINA: CHEROKEE FOOTHILLS SCENIC BYWAY

Rolling past orchards of peach trees and roadside farm stands, the Cherokee
Foothill Scenic Byway runs along the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains for 112
miles. Two of South Carolina’s most historic bridges are on the route. These are
the Poinsett Bridge, the state’s oldest bridge (built in 1820) and the Campbell
Covered Bridge, the only covered bridge remaining in the state.


South Dakota: Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway

Sharon Mollerus // Flickr


SOUTH DAKOTA: WILDLIFE LOOP STATE SCENIC BYWAY

Custer State Park's 18-mile Wildlife Loop State Scenic Byway in South Dakota
could theoretically take about 30 minutes to navigate, but it depends how many
buffalo and bighorn sheep end up blocking the road. The windswept prairies
surrounding the byway are home to deer, elk, coyote, prairie dogs, pronghorn
antelope, mountain goats and a band of burros. Wildlife Loop, indeed.


Tennessee: East Tennessee Crossing

Brian Stansberry // Wikimedia Commons


TENNESSEE: EAST TENNESSEE CROSSING

The East Tennessee Crossing stretches 83 miles from the Cumberland Gap to the
Cherokee National Forest. This route follows the original trail of the Cherokee
Warriors’ Path, used by Native American tribes for trade. In Morristown, pile
out of the car for a tour of the Crockett Tavern Museum, built on the site of
the Davy Crockett's boyhood home.



Texas: Lonesome Highway

InSapphoWeTrust // Wikimedia Commons


TEXAS: LONESOME HIGHWAY

Why lonesome? Because drivers are more likely to encounter a tumbleweed than
another vehicle on this highway. Spanning roughly 50 miles from Carlsbad, New
Mexico, to Pine Springs, Texas, the Lonesome Highway is a straight and lonely
shot into the Guadalupe Mountains. Bring along some Hank Williams.


Utah: Scenic Byway 12

Christian Mehlfurer // Wikimedia Commons


UTAH: SCENIC BYWAY 12

Designated an All-American Road, Scenic Byway 12 runs 123 miles through multiple
state and national parks, including Kodachrome Basin, Escalante Petrified
Forest, Bryce Canyon, and Capitol Reef. When you hit Escalante, pull over for
the views and the coffee at Kiva Koffeehouse.


Vermont: Mad River Byway

Doug Kerr // Wikimedia Commons


VERMONT: MAD RIVER BYWAY

The Mad River Byway winds through Vermont's Mad River Valley for 36 miles and
features views of rugged mountain ridges, meandering rivers, farm stands and
towns. Pick strawberries and blueberries at the Hartshorn Organic Farm in
Waitsfield and eat the bounty on the banks of the Mad River.



Virginia: The Crooked Road

Virginia State Parks // Wikimedia Commons


VIRGINIA: THE CROOKED ROAD

Bluegrass and country music fans, this 300-mile roadway is for you. The Crooked
Road travels through the Appalachian Mountains, connecting major heritage music
venues. Notable sites include the Birthplace of Country Music Museum and the
Blue Ridge Music Center & Museum. Inspired? Pick up a handmade fiddle or banjo
from Barr's Fiddle Shop in Galax.


Washington: Olympic Peninsula Loop

Ron Clausen // Wikimedia Commons


WASHINGTON: OLYMPIC PENINSULA LOOP

The Olympic Peninsula Loop is 329 miles of Pacific Coast beaches, mountain
rainforests, bridges and artsy townships. And according to author Stephenie
Meyer, the region’s near-constant drizzle is highly agreeable to sparkly
vampires: Forks, the setting of the "Twilight" series, is on the Olympic
Peninsula Loop. 


West Virginia: Highland Scenic Highway

Lakegirl79 // Wikimedia Commons


WEST VIRGINIA: HIGHLAND SCENIC HIGHWAY

The Highland Scenic Highway is a 43-mile corridor through the Monongahela
National Forest of West Virginia. Enjoy a sack lunch on the grassy banks of
Summit Lake and, if you have a fishing pole in the trunk, consider fishing for
trout. Take a second stop at the Falls of Hills Creek, which boasts three
cascading waterfalls.



Wisconsin: Great River Road National Scenic Byway

Royalbroil // Wikimedia Commons


WISCONSIN: GREAT RIVER ROAD NATIONAL SCENIC BYWAY

Rambling through 33 picturesque river towns, Wisconsin’s 250-mile Great River
Road National Scenic Byway awards its road trippers with parks, nature
preserves, dairy farms, festivals, concerts, historic tours and more. Be sure to
stop and shop the unique boutiques in Stockholm.


Wyoming: Beartooth Scenic Byway

R Robinson // Wikimedia Commons


WYOMING: BEARTOOTH SCENIC BYWAY

At 10,947 feet in elevation, the Beartooth Pass on the Beartooth Scenic Byway is
one of Wyoming’s highest and most dangerous roads. This breathtaking two-lane
roadway travels 67 miles from southwest Montana to northwest Wyoming, twisting
its way to Yellowstone National Park. Warning: services along the route are
limited, so plan the trip accordingly.


LOOK: ROUTE 66’S QUIRKIEST AND MOST WONDERFUL ATTRACTIONS STATE BY STATE

Stacker compiled a list of 50 attractions--state by state--to see along the
drive, drawing on information from historic sites, news stories, Roadside
America, and the National Park Service. Keep reading to discover where travelers
can get their kicks on Route 66.

Gallery Credit: Kery Wiginton


Grant Park (Chicago)

f11photo // Shutterstock


GRANT PARK (CHICAGO)

Many choose to begin a Route 66 journey at Buckingham Fountain in Grant
Park--Chicago's oldest--before heading west. To find the original "Historic 66
Begin" sign, travelers can head to the southern side of Adams Street and look
west toward Wabash Avenue. The "End Historic Route 66" sign can be found at the
intersection of Jackson and Michigan avenues.


Mural City (Pontiac, Illinois)

IvoShandor // Wikimedia Commons


MURAL CITY (PONTIAC, ILLINOIS)

There are 23 murals in Pontiac, including the Route 66 shield on the back of the
Illinois Route 66 Hall of Fame and Museum. Roadtrippers can grab a mural guide
at the museum or follow the red painted footprints for a walking tour.


Lauterbach Giant (Springfield, Illinois)

Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons


LAUTERBACH GIANT (SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS)

The Lauterbach Giant is a giant fiberglass statue towering over the parking lot
of Lauterbach Auto Service in Springfield. The "muffler man" has been around
since 1978. He used to hold a tire but now clutches an American flag. In 2006,
his head had to be replaced when a tornado took it off.



Chain of Rocks Bridge (Madison, Illinois)

Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress


CHAIN OF ROCKS BRIDGE (MADISON, ILLINOIS)

The Chain of Rocks Bridge, constructed in 1929, sits 60 feet above the
Mississippi River and links Madison with St. Louis. The mile-long historic
structure is popular with motorists and cyclists. The bridge got its name from a
17-mile series of rocky rapids called the Chain of Rocks that made the river
difficult to navigate, which is why the Corps of Engineers built a dam to cover
them in the 1960s. The bridge cost $2.5 million to erect, which was twice the
original estimate at the time.


World's Largest Catsup Bottle (Collinsville, Illinois)

MikeGassmann // flickr


WORLD'S LARGEST CATSUP BOTTLE (COLLINSVILLE, ILLINOIS)

Drivers can find the World's Largest Catsup Bottle a little south of downtown
Collinsville. The 170-foot-tall historic water tower was completed in 1949 for
the Brooks Foods plant, which is no longer open. If it didn't have water in it,
it could hold 640,000 bottles worth of catsup (or ketchup, as the tomato-based
condiment is commonly called today).


Henry's Rabbit Ranch (Staunton, Illinois)

Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons


HENRY'S RABBIT RANCH (STAUNTON, ILLINOIS)

Drivers will have to get out of their car to fully enjoy the fuzzy friends at
Henry's Rabbit Ranch, though appointments are necessary to get a complete tour.
Visitors can also get a glimpse of VW Rabbits and pick up some Route 66 gifts
and memorabilia.



Old Log Cabin (Pontiac, Illinois)

diannlroy.com // flickr


OLD LOG CABIN (PONTIAC, ILLINOIS)

Drivers can get their day started at the Old Log Cabin restaurant in Pontiac
with some freshly made eggs and hashbrowns. This quaint spot originally opened
in 1926 as a roadside lunchroom and gas station. The owners now serve customers
from 5 a.m. to 8 p.m. every day but Sunday. Locals love the cheeseburgers,
homemade coconut cream, and rhubarb pie.


(Former) World's Largest Rocking Chair (Cuba, Missouri)

AbeEzekowitz // Wikimedia Commons


(FORMER) WORLD'S LARGEST ROCKING CHAIR (CUBA, MISSOURI)

The World's Largest Rocking Chair (its actual name) may have only been created
to break the Guinness World Record for the largest rocking chair. Nevertheless,
the Fanning Outpost decided it made a great roadside attraction. The
42-foot-tall steel rocker had to be able to move back and forth to break the
world record in 2008, but it has since been secured in place. The rocker was the
largest in the world until 2015, when a 56.5-foot-tall chair was built in Casey,
Illinois.


66 Drive-In Theatre (Carthage, Missouri)

Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons


66 DRIVE-IN THEATRE (CARTHAGE, MISSOURI)

Most of the drive-in theaters in the U.S. have vanished since their heyday of
the 1950s. The 66 Drive-In Theatre is one of only around 325 drive-ins remaining
in the U.S. The theater is open from early April through mid-September each
year.



Route 66 State Park (Eureka, Missouri)

Yinan Chen // Wikimedia Commons


ROUTE 66 STATE PARK (EUREKA, MISSOURI)

The Route 66 State Park visitor center is located at the former Bridgehead Inn,
built in 1935, and offers plenty on the iconic highway's history. The park also
offers nature trails and picnic sites where road-weary travelers can stretch
their legs or have a bite.


Meramec Caverns (Stanton, Missouri)

Ronincmc // Wikimedia Commons


MERAMEC CAVERNS (STANTON, MISSOURI)

Motorists passing through Stanton can stop in for a guided tour of the Meramec
Caverns, a multi-level, natural underground wonder that has been a tourist
attraction since 1933. Some say the cave was a hideout for Jesse James and his
crew. To get the full experience, visitors should be prepared to walk a well-lit
1.25 miles for about 1 hour, 20 minutes.


Wagon Wheel Motel (Cuba, Missouri)

Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons


WAGON WHEEL MOTEL (CUBA, MISSOURI)

The Wagon Wheel Motel has been around since 1935, making it the oldest
continuously running motel on Route 66. The historic inn still beckons weary
drivers with original flashing neon lights from the '40s. The original wood
doors, windows, and floors from the 1930s have been updated.



Devil's Elbow, Missouri

Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons


DEVIL'S ELBOW, MISSOURI

Devil's Elbow is situated in the Ozark Mountains and the Mark Twain National
Forest, making it one of the more scenic stretches of Old Route 66. Be sure to
check out the classic diners, bars, and grills in the area for a big taste of
nostalgic Americana.


Cars on the Route (Galena, Kansas)

Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons


CARS ON THE ROUTE (GALENA, KANSAS)

Only about 13 miles of Route 66 wind through Kansas, but Cars on the Route--the
old Kan-O-Tex service station--is worth a stop. The station now has a "Cars"
theme and is home to the mining boom truck that inspired the character Tow Mater
in the animated film. It was first restored by Betty Courtney, Melba Rigg, Renee
Charles, and Judy Courtney, which is why the gas station was dubbed "Four Women
on the Route" for several years.


Galena Mining & Historical Museum (Galena, Kansas)

marada // flickr


GALENA MINING & HISTORICAL MUSEUM (GALENA, KANSAS)

The Galena Mining & Historical Museum--which sits inside the old
Missouri-Kansas-Texas train depot--educates passersby on the history of this
mining town. Visitors can also learn about how Pixar animators based the
fictional town of Radiator Springs--from the movie "Cars"--on this small Kansas
town.



Brush Creek Bridge (Cherokee County, Kansas)

southernbellefabrics // pixabay


BRUSH CREEK BRIDGE (CHEROKEE COUNTY, KANSAS)

The historic Brush Creek Bridge, also known as Rainbow Bridge, was constructed
in 1923. Iowa bridge designer James Barney Marsh created the Rainbow Arch design
and patented the construction elements in 1912. Route 66 motorists used the
130-foot bridge to cross Route 66 until the interstate was built in the 1960s.


Williams' Store (Riverton, Kansas)

TheWhitePelican // Wikimedia Commons


WILLIAMS' STORE (RIVERTON, KANSAS)

In 1925, Leo Williams built a small community store and deli that he ran with
his wife until the Eisler family purchased the business about 50 years later.
Today, Williams' Store offers groceries, sandwiches, and Route 66 souvenirs.


Baxter Springs Independent Oil and Gas Service Station (Baxter, Kansas)

Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons


BAXTER SPRINGS INDEPENDENT OIL AND GAS SERVICE STATION (BAXTER, KANSAS)

Baxter Springs is one of only three towns Route 66 drivers pass through while in
Kansas. The town's Independent Oil and Gas Service Station is one of the
locations worth a drive-by. What's interesting about the gas station is that it
looks more like someone's home than a place to fill up. After the Great
Depression, some oil companies redesigned their buildings to have more of a
domestic feel that might make their customers feel more comfortable.



Milk Bottle Grocery (Oklahoma City, Oklahoma)

Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress


MILK BOTTLE GROCERY (OKLAHOMA CITY, OKLAHOMA)

The historic Milk Bottle Grocery was built in 1930 and is hard to miss: The
350-square-foot building has a giant milk bottle perched on top of it. Since its
creation, many dairy companies have paid to advertise their names across the
side of the sculpture. The landmark is a popular spot for Route 66 motorists to
snap photos and has been home to a variety of businesses including a cleaners,
realty office, Vietnamese sandwich shop, and landscape architect.


Blue Whale (Catoosa, Oklahoma)

The Erica Chang // Wikimedia Commons


BLUE WHALE (CATOOSA, OKLAHOMA)

The Blue Whale is exactly what it sounds like. Zoologist Hugh S. Davis
originally built the sea mammal replica as a place where his grandchildren could
play and swim. The whale took two years to create and was completed in 1972.
Davis's daughter still owns the whale, but swimming is no longer allowed. There
are some picnic tables nearby for motorists to take a driving break for lunch.


Lucille's Service Station and Roadhouse (Hydro, Oklahoma)

Batterup55 // Wikimedia Commons


LUCILLE'S SERVICE STATION AND ROADHOUSE (HYDRO, OKLAHOMA)

Built in 1929, Lucille's Service Station is no longer offering gas, but the
building has been restored to its original condition. The vintage pumps are
still on site and a historical marker tells visitors about how the station
began. Included in that history is a bit about the station's namesake, Lucille
Hamons, who ran the business for more than 50 years.



Allen's Conoco Fillin' Station (Commerce, Oklahoma)

Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons


ALLEN'S CONOCO FILLIN' STATION (COMMERCE, OKLAHOMA)

Built around 1930, this service station--also known as Hole in the Wall Conoco
Station--offered a place for Route 66 travelers to fill up. It did start out
selling Conoco gas but switched to Phillips 66 in 1938. Word on the street is
that Bonnie and Clyde may have even fueled up here. Allen's Conoco Fillin'
Station may have originally been a gas station, but the tiny green and red
structure--built out from the side of a building--is now a souvenir shop.


Totem Pole Park (Foyil, OK)

Jana Taylor // Wikimedia Commons


TOTEM POLE PARK (FOYIL, OK)

Artist Ed Galloway created his Totem Pole Park--located about 3.5 miles off
Route 66--as a place to show off folk art made of stone and concrete. Many of
the pieces depict birds and Native American images. The largest totem pole in
the park is 60 feet tall. The original construction lasted from 1937 to 1961 and
was restored from 1988 to 1998.


Cadillac Ranch (Amarillo, Texas)

Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress


CADILLAC RANCH (AMARILLO, TEXAS)

In 1974, a group of San Francisco artists decided to bury 10 Cadillacs made
between 1949 and 1964 nose-first into a Texas field. Millionaire Stanley Marsh
3, who died in 2014, funded the art installation. Graffiti is encouraged, so
road trippers can stop by and leave their own mark on the cars before heading
further west. The site is off Exit 66 of Interstate 40.



VW Slug Bug Ranch (Conway, Texas)

Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons


VW SLUG BUG RANCH (CONWAY, TEXAS)

If Cadillac Ranch is too crowded, motorists can drive a few miles from Amarillo
to the lesser known VW Slug Bug Ranch in Conway, Texas. The scene is similar to
Cadillac Ranch, except the cars are Volkswagen beetles instead. To find the art
installation, motorists can plug "Conway Inn & Restaurant" into GPS.


Midpoint Cafe (Adrian, Texas)

Marcin Wichary // Wikimedia Commons


MIDPOINT CAFE (ADRIAN, TEXAS)

Adrian, Texas, marks the official midpoint of Route 66. There's even a white
line on the road and a sign noting the distance between Chicago and Los
Angeles--both are 1,139 miles away. Hungry motorists can stop in for a burger at
Midpoint Cafe, which served as inspiration for Flo's V8 Cafe in the animated
movie "Cars."


Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe (Shamrock, Texas)

Judson McCranie // Wikimedia Commons


TOWER STATION AND U-DROP INN CAFE (SHAMROCK, TEXAS)

Constructed in 1936, the Tower Station and U-Drop Inn Cafe on historic Route 66
includes a retail store, the Tower Conoco Station, and the U-Drop Inn Cafe. The
latter got its name from a local boy who won a naming contest. The structure is
now a visitor center, chamber of commerce office, and community center.



Leaning Tower of Texas (Groom, Texas)

Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress


LEANING TOWER OF TEXAS (GROOM, TEXAS)

Truck-stop owner Ralph Britten created the Leaning Tower of Texas to drum up
business. The structure slants at an 80-degree angle with the ground and was
quite the sight for unaware tourists who thought it was falling. Motorists
regularly popped into the nearby truck stop to alert Britten, who would calm
their fears and invite them in for a quick bite. While the tower is still in
position, Britten's truck stop has since burned down.


Big Texan Steak Ranch (Amarillo, Tesas)

Gorup de Besanez // Wikimedia Commons


BIG TEXAN STEAK RANCH (AMARILLO, TESAS)

Travelers should bring their appetites when they visit the Big Texan Steak Ranch
in Amarillo, Texas. The restaurant, which opened in 1960, is home to the
72-ounce steak. Diners can eat for free if they finish their 4.5-pound
steak--and the sides--in one hour. Tired motorists can sleep off their meals at
the nearby Big Texan Motel.


Blue Swallow Motel (Tucumcari, New Mexico)

ahisgett // flickr


BLUE SWALLOW MOTEL (TUCUMCARI, NEW MEXICO)

The historic Blue Swallow Motel was built in 1939 and is still around today,
making it the oldest motel still operating on New Mexico's part of Route 66. The
neon lights beckon guests off the road, where they can stay in vintage-style
rooms that are fully restored. Some even have detached garages.



Tee Pee Curios (Tucumcari, New Mexico)

Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress


TEE PEE CURIOS (TUCUMCARI, NEW MEXICO)

After spending a night in the Blue Swallow, travelers can stop by Tee Pee
Curios, a 1940s-era gas station-turned-gift shop. The store offers jewelry,
pottery, and any number of Route 66 souvenirs. Guests enter the shop through a
concrete wigwam built around the front door. A Route 66 shield is painted on the
side of the building.


Clines Corners Retail Center (Clines Corners, New Mexico)

Alan Levine // Wikimedia Commons


CLINES CORNERS RETAIL CENTER (CLINES CORNERS, NEW MEXICO)

This New Mexico travel center has been serving Route 66 travelers since it first
opened in 1934. Drivers can park their RVs overnight, or stop in the cafe for
breakfast, a burger, or a burrito.


66 Diner (Albuquerque, New Mexico)

ahisgett // flickr


66 DINER (ALBUQUERQUE, NEW MEXICO)

To get the full '50s dining experience, avid tourists flock to the 66 Diner in
Albuquerque. The spot used to be a gas station but was converted into a diner in
1987. Guests can view one of the largest PEZ collections in America while
sipping on a milkshake or malt.



El Rancho Hotel (Gallup, New Mexico)

Richie Diesterheft // Wikimedia Commons


EL RANCHO HOTEL (GALLUP, NEW MEXICO)

The historic El Rancho Hotel, built in 1936, bills itself as a favorite of movie
stars who filmed Westerns in the area in the '30s and '40s. John Wayne,
Katherine Hepburn, and Humphrey Bogart all stayed there. Route 66 travelers can
book a room named after one of the stars.


Blue Hole (Santa Rosa, New Mexico)

Mary P Madigan // flickr


BLUE HOLE (SANTA ROSA, NEW MEXICO)

This natural sinkhole with sapphire-colored water was a fish hatchery in the
1930s. The Blue Hole became a recreation area in the 1970s and is now a popular
spot for swimmers and scuba divers. The water is 81 feet deep and about 60
degrees, fed by a network of artesian springs connected to the Pecos River.


Hackberry General Store (Hackberry, Arizona)

Pavel Å pindler // Wikimedia Commons


HACKBERRY GENERAL STORE (HACKBERRY, ARIZONA)

The Hackberry General Store has been around for about 80 years, but it's easy to
miss. Visitors should keep an eye out for two vintage gas pumps (which don't
work anymore) out front. The owners have adopted some interesting decor: the
walls and ceiling are covered with old license plates, patches, and money
donated from around the world. Travelers should check out the re-creation of an
old '50s diner before picking up some Route 66 souvenirs.



Winslow Corner (Winslow, Arizona)

Arizona Parrot // flickr


WINSLOW CORNER (WINSLOW, ARIZONA)

Travelers who want to take it easy should make sure to stop by the corner where
Old Highway 66 meets North Kinsley Avenue in Winslow, Arizona. The 1972 Eagles
song "Take it Easy" inspired an installation called "Standin' On the Corner"
Park," a statue of a man with a guitar standing on the corner near a red flatbed
truck. The town of Winslow didn't create the park until three decades after the
song was written, partially because Interstate 40 bypassed the town and cut down
on tourist traffic.


Angel and Vilma's Original Route 66 Gift Shop (Seligman, Arizona)

traveLink // pixabay


ANGEL AND VILMA'S ORIGINAL ROUTE 66 GIFT SHOP (SELIGMAN, ARIZONA)

Angel Delgadillo, now in his 90s, turned his barbershop into a Route 66 gift
shop in 1987 after he helped establish the Historic Route 66 Association of
Arizona. Delgadillo--known as the "Guardian of Route 66"--still cuts hair on
occasion, though he's been semi-retired since the '70s.


Delgadillo's Snow Cap Drive-In (Seligman, Arizona)

Scottb211 // Wikimedia Commons


DELGADILLO'S SNOW CAP DRIVE-IN (SELIGMAN, ARIZONA)

Motorists can stop in for a root beer float or a burger at Delgadillo's Snow Cap
Drive-In. Visitors should take a close look at the walls and ceiling, which are
covered with patches, money, and other paraphernalia donated from visitors
around the world. Juan Delgadillo opened the shop in 1953, and his son still
runs the business.



The town of Oatman (Oatman, Arizona)

Nick Fox // Shutterstockrizona


THE TOWN OF OATMAN (OATMAN, ARIZONA)

Visitors to Oatman, a former mining town, can get a glimpse of bighorn sheep or
mingle with burros (small donkeys) that roam the city streets. Clark Gable and
Carole Lombard got married in nearby Kingman and may have honeymooned in the
Oatman Hotel, which remains open as a museum and restaurant.


Wigwam Village Motel #6 (Holbrook, Arizona)

Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress


WIGWAM VILLAGE MOTEL #6 (HOLBROOK, ARIZONA)

Tired motorists can sleep off a long day on the road at the historic Wigwam
Village Motel #6 (there are five previous versions across the U.S.). Chester E.
Lewis, charmed by wigwam villages he'd seen in Kentucky, opened the motel in
1950. There are classic cars on display out front, but the rooms have been
renovated to include more modern amenities like air conditioning and cable TV.
The Lewis family still owns and operates the business today.


Grand Canyon National Park

Luca Galuzzi // Wikimedia Commons


GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK

Access to Grand Canyon National Park isn't right off Route 66, but seeing one of
the Seven Wonders of the Natural World is worth a detour. From Williams,
Arizona, drive 60 miles north to get to the South Rim.



Meteor Crater (Meteor City, Arizona)

Carol M. Highsmith // Library of Congress


METEOR CRATER (METEOR CITY, ARIZONA)

Sometime between 5,000 and 50,000 years ago, a meteor crashed into northern
Arizona and formed a massive crater that's been turned into a popular tourist
attraction. The site is only minutes from Interstate 40 and the old Route 66. If
it's too hot, visitors can pop into the Meteor Crater Visitor Center on the
crater's rim to view the crater from a comfortably air-conditioned room.


Elmer Long's Bottle Tree Ranch (Oro Grande, California)

daveynin // Wikimedia Commons


ELMER LONG'S BOTTLE TREE RANCH (ORO GRANDE, CALIFORNIA)

A popular spot for an Instagram photoshoot, Elmer Long created his now-famous
Bottle Tree Ranch out of bottles he collected as a kid. Years after he retired,
he started hanging the empty glass bottles onto metal pipes that scatter
rainbows of light when the sun shines through them. Visitors can try to spot the
column topped by a rake--it's Long's favorite.


Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe (Victorville, California)

Angel DiBilio // Shutterstock


EMMA JEAN'S HOLLAND BURGER CAFE (VICTORVILLE, CALIFORNIA)

Opened in 1947, Emma Jean's Holland Burger Cafe has been serving Route 66
visitors for more than 70 years. It also made a cameo in "Kill Bill Vol. 2."
Hungry motorists can get eggs and pancakes for breakfast or chow down on a
burger--and ice cream sundaes--for lunch.



Rt. 66 Museum (Victorville, California)

Sanfel // Wikimedia Commons


RT. 66 MUSEUM (VICTORVILLE, CALIFORNIA)

Motorists can stop by the California Route 66 Museum to learn some history and
take some photos in the '50s diner or VW Love Bus. There's a Model T on the
grounds and an old outhouse. Visitors can make a pit-stop in the library and
gift shop to get some Route 66 memorabilia before heading back to the road.


Original McDonald's (San Bernardino, California)

Tamsin Slater // flickr


ORIGINAL MCDONALD'S (SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA)

The first McDonald's opened in 1948 close to Route 66 (the exact location is
1398 N. East St. at West 14th Street in San Bernadino). In 1954, businessman Ray
Kroc met the McDonald brothers in California while selling the brothers
milkshake mixing machines. The rest is franchising history.


Cucamonaco Service Station (Rancho Cucamonga, California)

Einbierbitte // Wikimedia Commons


CUCAMONACO SERVICE STATION (RANCHO CUCAMONGA, CALIFORNIA)

The canary yellow Cucamonga Service Station was built in 1915 and remained a gas
station until the '60s. It fell into disrepair in the '70s but has since been
restored and turned into a museum.



Roy's Motel & Cafe (Amboy, California)

ahisgett // flickr


ROY'S MOTEL & CAFE (AMBOY, CALIFORNIA)

Roy's opened in 1938 and is located in Amboy, which some call a ghost town. The
sign is a particularly popular photo spot for Route 66 road-trippers. While some
hope the cafe is fully restored in the future, visitors can still pop in and
thumb through old newspapers or buy a souvenir and some snacks.


Santa Monica Pier (Santa Monica, California)

IVAN IVANOVICH DAN // Shutterstock


SANTA MONICA PIER (SANTA MONICA, CALIFORNIA)

In 1926, the original end to the route was at Seventh and Broadway in downtown
Los Angeles. That spot wasn't a very scenic end for drivers after a long trip.
So in 2009, the Route 66 Alliance and the Santa Monica Pier Restoration
Corporation decided to erect an "End of the Trail" sign on the pier. To get
there, motorists drive toward the pier and then walk out about 200 feet. The end
sign is just past the Bubba Gump shrimp franchise and just before the Playland
arcade.


LOOK: STUNNING VINTAGE PHOTOS CAPTURE THE BEAUTY OF AMERICA'S NATIONAL PARKS

Today these parks are located throughout the country in 25 states and the U.S.
Virgin Islands. The land encompassing them was either purchased or donated,
though much of it had been inhabited by native people for thousands of years
before the founding of the United States. These areas are protected and revered
as educational resources about the natural world, and as spaces for exploration.


Keep scrolling for 50 vintage photos that show the beauty of America's national
parks.



Gallery Credit: Alexander Raeburn


Driving through a tree

Hulton Deutsch // Getty Images


DRIVING THROUGH A TREE

A group travels by horse-drawn carriage through a giant sequoia tree. Sequoias
are some of the largest trees in the world and can live over 3,000 years.


Photographing falls

MPI // Getty Images


PHOTOGRAPHING FALLS

William Henry Jackson photographs Yosemite Falls from Glacier Point in
California. Yosemite Falls is one of the world's largest waterfalls, dropping a
total of 2,425 feet.


Travel views of Yosemite National Park

Genthe, Arnold // Library of Congress


TRAVEL VIEWS OF YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

A young woman ties her horse up for a rest with Yosemite's iconic, snowcapped,
mountainscape in the background in the early 1900s.



President Roosevelt at Yosemite

Corbis Historical // Getty Images


PRESIDENT ROOSEVELT AT YOSEMITE

On a three-day exploration led by Muir, President Theodore Roosevelt explored
the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove. Roosevelt was instrumental in early
projects to conserve land for national parks.

You may also like: The 50 best beach towns to live in


First boat on Yellowstone Lake

Smith Collection/Gado // Getty Images


FIRST BOAT ON YELLOWSTONE LAKE

Two men set out on Yellowstone Lake in a boat named The Annie. The image was
captured in 1871, just a year before Yellowstone became America's first national
park.


Grand Canyon, Arizona

Genthe, Arnold // Library of Congress


GRAND CANYON, ARIZONA

Around the start of the century, this image shows a man gazing over the Grand
Canyon before the park went from being a national monument to an established
national park in 1919.



Grinnell Glacier

Underwood & Underwood // New York Public Library


GRINNELL GLACIER

George Grinnell and his wife, Elizabeth, on a glacier named after them. Mr.
Grinnell was an influential historian, conservationist, and naturalist, who
helped map the West while working to advocate for native people.


Saint Mary Lake

Kiser, Fred H. // New York Public Library


SAINT MARY LAKE

Jagged mountains surround Saint Mary Lake in Montana's Glacier National Park.
Pictured across the lake is Goat Mountain.


Petrified Forest

Genthe, Arnold // Library of Congress


PETRIFIED FOREST

Petrified Forest National Park in Arizona is home to fossilized trees made up of
almost solid quartz. This natural process of turning trees into stone occurred
over millions of years.

You may also like: Least visited destinations in the world



Lake Nanita

Colorado Association // New York Public Library


LAKE NANITA

Located in Rocky Mountain National Park, Lake Nanita is the largest body of
water in the park. It's situated between Longs Peak and Grand Lake.


Mark Twain log

Curtis, C. C. (Charles Clifford) // New York Public Library


MARK TWAIN LOG

Known as the "Mark Twain Tree," this giant sequoia was cut down in 1891 in what
later became Kings Canyon National Park. The trunk was sent to New York and
London to be displayed in museums.


Sketching cliff dwellings

Corbis Historical // Getty Images


SKETCHING CLIFF DWELLINGS

A worker sketches the Navajo area, White House Ruin, during the Wheeler Survey,
which was run by Lt. George Wheeler. The survey took 15 years at a cost of $2.5
million.

You may also like: Reasons behind State Department travel warnings for 25
countries



Steamer queen

Hulton Archive // Getty Images


STEAMER QUEEN

Glacier Bay National Park of Alaska contains 3.3 million acres, and includes
fjords, glaciers, and temperate rainforests. It is one of the most vast
conservation areas on the globe.


Washington Column

Sepia Times // Getty Images


WASHINGTON COLUMN

Benjamin West Kilburn enjoys a tranquil scene in the Yosemite Valley circa 1870.
This was 20 years before the valley and surrounding lands became the nation's
third national park.


Muir Glacier

Corbis Historical // Getty Images


MUIR GLACIER

John Muir became one of Glacier Bay National Park's earliest advocates during
his travels there to study glaciology. He noted early on that Yosemite may have
been created by these same massive ice sheets.



Tourists in Yellowstone National Park

Corbis Historical // Getty Images


TOURISTS IN YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK

Two visitors drive along a raging river in Yellowstone National Park. Humans
have been exploring this area from as far back as 11,000 years ago.


Roosevelt and Muir

PhotoQuest // Getty Images


ROOSEVELT AND MUIR

A group of explorers, including conservationist John Muir and President Theodore
Roosevelt hiked among Yosemite Valley's redwood trees. On the valley and trees,
President Roosevelt remarked, "There can be nothing in the world more beautiful
than the Yosemite, the groves of the giant sequoias and redwoods..."


Yellowstone River through the Grand Canyon

Ingersoll, T. W. (Truman Ward) // New York Public Library


YELLOWSTONE RIVER THROUGH THE GRAND CANYON

The Yellowstone River flows through the Grand Canyon. European explorers first
set eyes on the canyon in 1540, long before it was part of the landscape of
America.



In the Bad Lands

Edward S. Curtis // Getty Images


IN THE BAD LANDS

Pictured amidst the Pine Ridge Reservation, Native Americans ride on horseback
through the Badlands in South Dakota. The area has been inhabited by tribes
including the Lakota and Arikara for nearly 11,000 years.


Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park

Galloway, Ewing // New York Public Library


YOSEMITE FALLS, YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Yosemite Falls is the largest of numerous waterfalls in the park. The falls all
experience increased flow during the spring and early summer when snowmelt is at
its peak.

You may also like: What 50 top tourist destinations looked like 50 years ago


Grand Falls of Yellowstone River from Point Lookout, 360 feet high

Ingersoll, T. W. (Truman Ward) // New York Public Library


GRAND FALLS OF YELLOWSTONE RIVER FROM POINT LOOKOUT, 360 FEET HIGH

The Grand Falls of Yellowstone flows into the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone.
Geologists believe the park was formed some 140,000 to 160,000 years ago after a
volcanic eruption about 640,000 years before.



Sea waves crashing against rocks

Smith Collection/Gado // Getty Images


SEA WAVES CRASHING AGAINST ROCKS

Waves crash into Thunder Hole on Mount Desert Island in Maine's Acadia National
Park. Acadia was the first designated national park east of the Mississippi
River.


Franklin Lane with group at Mount Rainier

Bettmann


FRANKLIN LANE WITH GROUP AT MOUNT RAINIER

Franklin Lane, secretary of the interior, was also a conservationist and
influential political adviser. Here he travels with a group to explore the sites
around Mount Rainier National Park in Washington State.


Old Faithful Geyser Cone, steaming

Ingersoll, T. W. (Truman Ward) // New York Public Library


OLD FAITHFUL GEYSER CONE, STEAMING

A lone explorer stands beside Old Faithful in Yellowstone National Park in the
late 1800s. Today, the regular eruptions can be viewed from anywhere on the
park's live stream.



Tourists at cliff dwellings

Lee, Russell // New York Public Library


TOURISTS AT CLIFF DWELLINGS

A group of tourists explores Pueblo homes built into the cliffs at Mesa Verde
National Park in Colorado. The park was created in 1906 in order to preserve the
homes of the ancestral people who lived there for 700 years.


Fern Lake

United States. National Park Service // New York Public Library


FERN LAKE

Located in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado, Fern Lake is one of many
stops on the Fern Lake Trail. Shown here is an early explorer's boat tied up
lakeside dating between the late 1800s and the early 1900s.

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Photographing canyon wall

Universal History Archive // Getty Images


PHOTOGRAPHING CANYON WALL

With one hanging from the rope and the other holding it, brothers Emery and
Ellsworth Kolb precariously photograph a section of the Grand Canyon wall. The
duo started a successful photography business based in the region, which allowed
them to continue exploring.



Ice skaters at Yosemite National Park

Corbis Historical // Getty Images


ICE SKATERS AT YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK

Visitors to Yosemite National Park enjoy skating on a frozen lake in the early
1900s. The vast, protected park has a land mass comparable to the size of Rhode
Island.


Ranger driving car on railroad

Corbis Historical


RANGER DRIVING CAR ON RAILROAD

Affixed with railroad wheels, this specially designed Ford carried rangers like
C.K. Jordan, shown here on a forest fire watch in the Northern California
wilderness.


Continental Divide over Shoshone Lake

Underwood & Underwood


CONTINENTAL DIVIDE OVER SHOSHONE LAKE

This westward view shows Shoshone Lake and from the Continental Divide. The
Continental Divide Trail, which traverses the lands from Mexico to Canada, was
first forged by Indigenous peoples long before the land became a protected
section of the American West.

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Shenandoah National Park, Virginia

Staley, Harry // New York Public Library


SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK, VIRGINIA

An early modern explorer is shown here in Shenandoah National Park located in
Virginia. The park was first inhabited some 8,000 years ago by Native Americans
who used the land to hunt and gather food, and create tools for consumption and
trade.


General Sherman Tree, Sequoia National Park, California

Unknown // New York Public Library


GENERAL SHERMAN TREE, SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK, CALIFORNIA

Located in California's Sequoia National Park, the General Sherman tree is the
world's largest tree at 275 feet tall. The base of the tree is over 36 feet in
diameter.


Sandstone Cliffs in Zion National Park, Utah

Ewing Galloway // New York Public Library


SANDSTONE CLIFFS IN ZION NATIONAL PARK, UTAH

Once utilized by native tribes 8,000 years ago to track giant sloths and
mammoths, Zion Canyon was later settled by Mormon pioneers in the 1860s. Due to
flash floods, early settlers faced great difficulty in the park as the sudden
onslaught of raging waters could wash away entire towns.



Corbin Hollow boy

Rothstein, Arthur // New York Public Library


CORBIN HOLLOW BOY

This boy was one of many who were considered the "Hollow Folk" who lived in the
Shenandoah National Park, seemingly cut off from modern society. They lived in
cabins built of mud and logs, and were a fascination of anthropologists due to
their alleged lack of religion, government, and social structure.


Grand Canyon

Unknown // New York Public Library


GRAND CANYON

Visitors to the Grand Canyon bask in the sun at the canyon's edge in 1939. The
park went from national monument to official national park status 20 years prior
in 1919.


Glacier National Park, Montana

Hileman, T. J. // New York Public Library


GLACIER NATIONAL PARK, MONTANA

Peaks rise in the distance over an alpine lake in Glacier National Park. The
park straddles the Continental Divide, which explains its extreme weather
patterns.



Formations at Bryce Canyon

Lee, Russell // New York Public Library


FORMATIONS AT BRYCE CANYON

Consisting of 35,835 acres, Utah's Bryce Canyon National Park contains some of
the most wild and jagged rock formations in the western United States. The land
was home to various native tribes for thousands of years prior to it becoming
part of the national park system.

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Sequoia giganteum

Dove, Adam // New York Public Library


SEQUOIA GIGANTEUM

A traveler stands inside the hollowed out trunk of a giant sequoia tree in the
Mariposa Grove of Yosemite National Park. Giant sequoias like this one survive
even the hottest of forest fires, which are a necessary part of the tree's
propagation. The heat allows their cones to open and release their seeds.


Gate to government reservation, Hot Springs, Arkansas

Detroit Publishing Co. // Library of Congress


GATE TO GOVERNMENT RESERVATION, HOT SPRINGS, ARKANSAS

The natural geological features of this area inspired the United States to
protect the land in 1832. In 1921, five years after the formation of the
National Park Service, the land was officially included as a national park.



Estes National Park, Colorado

National Photo Company Collection // Library of Congress


ESTES NATIONAL PARK, COLORADO

Towering rock formations dot the landscape in Estes, Colorado, an area which
borders Rocky Mountain National Park. The protection of these lands were due in
large part to the Estes Park Protective and Improvement Association, which
worked to keep industry from disrupting this area of natural wonder.

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Cowlitz Glacier

Photographs Division Washington, D.C. // Library of Congress


COWLITZ GLACIER

A team of workers bands together to rescue a victim who has fallen into a
crevasse in Rainier National Park on the Cowlitz Glacier. Flowing southeasterly
off of Mount Rainier, the glacier consists of two parallel ice streams.


Mount McKinley

APIC // Getty Images


MOUNT MCKINLEY

Dog sled teams rest in front of Mount McKinley, now called Denali, in Denali
National Park in Alaska. It is the tallest mountain in North America, rising to
over 20,000 feet.



Mountaineer sketching on rope swing

Bettmann // Getty Images


MOUNTAINEER SKETCHING ON ROPE SWING

An early mountaineer sketches from a rope swing in Utah's Zion National Park.
The sport of mountaineering began to take hold in the United States in the early
1900s and advanced after World War II as new equipment began to be used to climb
cracks in mountain facades.


Death Valley Rock

Topical Press Agency // Getty Images


DEATH VALLEY ROCK

An early visitor sits atop a unique stone formation in California's Death Valley
in 1930. Shortly after this time, President Roosevelt's newly created Civilian
Conservation Corps worked to develop the park infrastructure by building roads
in order to make the land more accessible to visitors.


Utah

Hulton Archive // Getty Images


UTAH

Rock formations in the desert area known as Arches National Park. The park began
as a national monument, designated by President Herbert Hoover in 1929, and was
established by Congress as a national park in 1971.

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Vehicle and Badlands geological formations

Corbis // Getty Images


VEHICLE AND BADLANDS GEOLOGICAL FORMATIONS

A car drives through the Badlands of South Dakota in August 1934. The land was
once home to saber-toothed cats and rhinos.


Seminole woman canoeing in the Everglades

ullstein bild // Getty Images


SEMINOLE WOMAN CANOEING IN THE EVERGLADES

A Seminole woman paddles with a child through the vast expanse of watery terrain
now known as Everglades National Park. The Seminole tribe fought to keep its
land out of the hands of American settlers during a series of wars in the 1800s.


Summer vacation in the 1950s

Robert Alexander // Getty Images


SUMMER VACATION IN THE 1950S

Beside a rock formation is a Plymouth, shown in 1953, in California's Joshua
Tree National Park. The park is home to unique plant species and rock formations
created by the harsh conditions of the desert winds and seasonal rains.



Arizona

Erich Andres // Getty Images


ARIZONA

A person stands beside a saguaro cactus in 1962. Saguaro National Park was
formed in part to protect this species of cactus, which is the largest in the
country, growing upwards of 50 feet into the air.


Crater Lake

Archive Photos // Getty Images


CRATER LAKE

Crater Lake is the deepest lake in North America, going down 1,943 feet below
its surface. The surrounding park named after the lake was created in 1902.

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Source: Unbelievable! Massachusetts Is DEAD LAST In The Country For This
Filed Under: Berkshire County, lifestyle, Massachusetts
Categories: Local News, News
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