There are countless special places in America, but only about 100 have been distinguished enough to be called national monuments. Granted protection by Congress or the president by way of the Antiquities Act, these emblems of our country’s landscape allow us—from generation to generation—to learn, discover and admire. Taking the form of statues, forests, canyons, ruins or reefs, it’s no wonder that people from all over come to visit these spectacular sites and act as their ambassadors.
Scattered throughout the U.S., many of them have or are near trails—lucky for trail lovers! Here’s a short list of five rail-trails that’ll help you reach, explore and admire some of these incredible places.
New York’s High Line is a can’t-miss way to experience the Big Apple from an elevated, 1.5-mile path. Offering locals and tourists alike with a rare view of the city’s skyline and the Hudson River, this public park connects neighborhoods in the lower west side of Manhattan and provides vibrant green space.
Truly a landmark project, the High Line is also within a short distance of a handful of iconic national monuments: the Statue of Liberty, Governors Island, Castle Clinton, African Burial Ground and more. Although each of these monuments are significant to American culture and history, Lady Liberty literally stands out with her 305-foot colossal form and torch lifted to represent “liberty enlightening the world.” A gift of friendship, she was dedicated in 1886 and officially designated as a national monument in 1924; today, in addition to attracting approximately 4 million visitors annually, she still serves as an everlasting symbol of freedom to the world.
A spectacular southern stretch in Georgia, McQueen’s Island Trail is an approximately 6-mile route by the water and imbued with history. Starting in the Spanish moss-covered Savannah, this rail-trail follows the South Channel of the Savannah River and carries its users through saltwater marshes; along the way will be palms, turtles, a variety of coastal birds and even alligators. The popular tourist destination Tybee Island, home of Georgia’s oldest and tallest lighthouse, sits just east of the trail, and toward the west is the Fort Pulaski National Monument.
Named after Revolutionary War Hero Casimir Pulaski, Fort Pulaski received its national monument designation in 1924. Today, it is one of the best-preserved forts designed with Third System military architecture—which, when established in the 19th century, was a big breakthrough for shoreline defense. Despite its original intention to keep Georgia safe from foreign powers, Fort Pulaski wasn’t used in battle until the Civil War.
The Casey Jones State Trail is a multipart trail with an interesting multipart backstory. It was happily born in the 1960s when it became one of the first state trails authorized by Minnesota legislation, but its name honors a sad story from 60 years earlier, when railroad conductor Casey Jones’ train collided with another. Today, the rail-trail’s three sections travel through several beautiful landscapes—prairie, woodland ravines, farmland and small towns—as well as near many eye-catching sights: museums with railroad remains, lakes, wind turbines, parks and the Pipestone National Monument.
The Pipestone National Monument is a mere 1.5 miles from the Pipestone trailhead and was officially designated in 1937. Its unique formation was crafted from centuries of quarrying by Native Americans who carved ceremonial pipes out of the red rock for prayer. This religious ritual is still practiced by Native Americans today, and visitors are able watch live demonstrations at the Visitor Center during part of the year. The monument is also home to the breathtaking, 20-foot-tall Winnewissa Falls.
Winter is not coming, it is already here. The air is piercing, the ground covered in sheets of snow...
Winter transforms these northeast trails into breathtaking snow-covered wonderlands perfect for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowmobiling, horseback riding and more.
Winter is a wonderful time to enjoy a favorite pathway in a whole new way, and rail-trails present the perfect venue for cross-country skiing...