If you’re planning to spend your weekend vacation in any of the National Parks in New York, you need first to update yourself on what services it offers, the types of parks, what each of these parks represent, camping reservations and the scenic places you can enjoy.



What you can expect in a National Park

The good thing about a National Park is that it offers many of the finest living examples our nation has. It could be a scenic natural landscape such as lakeshores, mountain ranges and seashores, while other places showcased diverse historical and cultural background like landmarks and battlefields. It can also be regarded as an opportunity to experience outdoor recreational activities such as boating, camping and hiking.

How to avoid congested areas

Sometimes, just the mention of a national park system, people would associate it with more popular travel destinations such as the Grand Canyon, Yosemite, Great Smoky Mountains and Yellowstone National Park. But due to its popularity, most of these parks have an increasing overcrowding problem. It is best to avoid visiting a National Park during the summer months.

National Parks you can visit in New York

You can choose from a multitude of National Parks located within the state of New York. Some of these are burial grounds, monuments, national memorials, scenic trail and historical parks.

Here are some of the National Parks you can check out. Showcasing their location, description, activities you can do and operating hours.

Visiting burial grounds and National Memorials

First on the list is the African Burial Ground National Monument, it is a 0.35 acre land located in Lower Manhattan. It contains burial grounds of enslaved and free Africans. Tombs, archeological artifacts and resources connected with their burials are among its attractions.

An African Burial Ground Interpretive Center is under construction. When it is finished, it can offer opportunities for people to study the lives of these free and enslaved Africans who worked and had their final resting place in Manhattan. You can visit it between 9 o’clock in the morning up to 4 o’clock in the afternoon.

Next to the list is the Federal Hall National Memorial. It is situated at the corner of Wall and Nassau Street, in Manhattan, New York. This is where George Washington, the first President of the United States took his oath for presidency. A statue of him can be seen on its steps. It was also here that the Bill of Rights was first adopted.

You can experience tours around the historical sites at multiple times daily. You can visit the museum showcasing different exhibits like the Bible used for the First Presidential inauguration. It is open from 9am to 5pm.

Last on the list is the General Grant National Memorial. It is a memorial of the Union commander who succeeded in bringing the Civil War to its end, none other than President Ulysses S. Grant. Tours and programs are given daily. Interpreters with costumes depicting Grant and exhibits are also an attraction. It is open to the public from 9:00-5:00 except New Years Day, Christmas and Thanksgiving.

Scenic trails, parks and more

You can check out the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. It is a 2,174 mile trail in the Appalachian Mountain range. You can do hiking and visit their picnic areas, rent cabins or set up tents in the campgrounds, purchase goods in their grocery stores and check out their exhibits at visitor centers. Other opportunities include wildlife viewing, backpacking and other backcountry recreational activities.

Fire Island National Seashore, on the other hand, is 19, 579 acres of barrier island. You can enjoy yourself in ecological and environmental observation such as wildlife viewing or any beach-oriented recreational activities like boating, canoeing and even fishing. It is along the Long Island’s south shore, forming a barrier between the Atlantic Ocean and the Great South Bay. It is open from the 15th of May through the 15th of October each year.

Another attraction is the Statue of Liberty in Liberty Island. It is considered as one of the universal icons of democracy and political freedom. The statue was a gift from France to recognize the friendship the two countries had established during the American Revolution. It is a famous tourist spot attracting hundreds of people each year.