Article Overview: Best US National Monuments

The epic national monuments in America are ripe for exploration, especially in this day and age of overcrowded public lands. Often overlooked, these gems are home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in the US without the crowds.

US National monuments have historic, natural and/or cultural significance that is preserved for future generations. My name is Will and I film public lands for a living along with my brother. After years of requests, we’ve finally decided to sit down and create a comprehensive roundup of the best national monuments in America.

Read on to learn everything you need to know to plan a trip to one of these incredible national monuments.

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Quick Facts About National Monuments

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What is the biggest national monument?

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is the largest national monument in the world and also the largest protected area on the planet at 372,848,597 acres.

What is the smallest national monument?

The smallest national monument is Military Working Dog Teams National Monument at .08 acres or less than 3500 square feet.

What is the oldest national monument?

Located in northeastern Wyoming, Devil’s Tower is the oldest national monument in the world and was created by Theodore Roosevelt in 1906 using the newly created Antiquities Act.

What is the newest national monument?

Created on October 12, 2022, the newest US national monument is Camp Hale National Monument in Colorado.

Which state has the most national monuments?

Arizona & California are tied for states with the most national monuments of any state with a whopping 18.

How many national monuments are there in the US?

There are currently 130 national monuments in the United States.

Who manages the national monuments?

America’s national monuments are managed by a number of federal agencies including the National Park Service, Bureau of Land Management, US Forest Service, and US Fish and Wildlife Service.

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What is a national monument?

Per the National Park Service (NPS): A “national monument” established by the President protects “objects of historic or scientific interest that are situated on lands owned or controlled by the Federal Government” (54 U.S.C. § 320301, known as the Antiquities Act). If the national monument is administered by the National Park Service (NPS), as many national monuments are, it is subject to the same laws and policies as govern other units of the National Park System. Thus, an NPS national monument established by the President is a protected area similar to a national park, administered for the protection and enjoyment of its resources and values.

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The Experts Behind the US National Monuments List

We’re Jim Pattiz and Will Pattiz, collectively known as the Pattiz Brothers (and sometimes the Parks Brothers) and we absolutely LOVE the national parks.

Our goal here at More Than Just Parks is to share the beauty of America’s national parks and public lands through stunning short films in an effort to get Americans and the world to see the true value in land conservation.

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How We Ranked the Best National Monuments of America

We ranked all of the national monuments based on a variety of factors including scenery, recreational opportunities, accessibility, amenities, crowds, and cultural significance.

While this ranking system may not be perfect (I mean, what is?) we’re always working to improve so feel free to leave us a comment at the bottom of the post.

National Monuments Ranking Criteria

• Scenery (15pts) -The scenic beauty of the national monument. Purely subjective of course, but has to be taken into account.
• Recreation (10pts) – Recreational opportunities found in the monument like hiking, biking, boating, climbing, etc.
• Accessibility (10pts) – Is this national monument easy to access? We analyzed vehicle access, transportation options, proximity to major airports, lodging and accommodations, conveniences, and other signs of civilization.
• Amenities (5pts) – Developed amenities in the monument like visitors centers, campgrounds, bathrooms, lodges, etc.
• Crowds (5pts) – How crowded is this national monument? We considered traffic, crowded overlooks & trails, limited campsite availability, lines, etc.
• Cultural Significance (5pts) – What sort of cultural heritage does the monument protect, celebrate, and/or memorialize?

AND if you havent seen this epic photobook of the national monuments by our good friend QT Luong you’re really missing out.

Now that we’ve covered the important details, let’s discuss the best national monuments in America.

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All 128 US National Monuments Ranked

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Top 5 Best US National Monuments

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1. Mount St. Helens Volcanic National Monument

Location: Washington, USA
Best Resources: Guidebook / Map / Photobook
Managed By: USFS
Size: 1,019,861 acres
Established: December 1, 1978

Overall Score:44/50

• Scenery: 15/15
• Recreation: 10/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 5/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Ranking Mount St. Helens National Monument as the best National Monument in America was not a decision we made lightly, but one in which we have great confidence. Here’s why it’s the best National Monument in America.

Mount St. Helens is an epic tribute to both the destructive power of volcanoes and the restorative power of life on planet earth. All of those alive at the time of its eruption in 1980 remember it and the breathtaking photos. A lush land of alpine beauty, millions of years in the works, turned to a molten, hellish landscape denuded of life within hours.

“Somebody said it looked like a moonscape,” said then President Carter after flying over the site, “But the moon looks like a golf course compared to what is up there. It is a horrible looking sight.”

Today it is a combination of those two worlds where ghastly scars of the past are carpeted with some of the most beautiful wildflower meadows on earth. Forests here teem with wildlife and outdoor recreation enthusiasts come from all over to enjoy over a million acres of breathtaking scenery.

Given its bountiful recreational opportunities, incredible beauty, and relative ease of access it was an easy case for the best national monument on our 2022 list.

If you like this National Monument you might also like:

• 3 EPIC Washington National Parks Ranked World’s Best (+ Photos)
• OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK: An Epic Guide to the Best Park in America

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2. Dinosaur National Monument

Location: Colorado & Utah, USA
Best Resources: Map | Guidebook
Managed By: NPS
Size: 210,844 acres
Established: 1915

Overall Score: 44/50

• Scenery: 15/15
• Recreation: 10/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 5/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

What underrated straddling the remote northern corners of two states, Colorado and Utah. The common refrain here is that if you’re interested in dinosaurs you’ll love this monument, which is true, but it vastly undersells this sprawling and immensely beautiful monument.

In addition to the famous dinosaur quarry and countless immaculately preserved dinosaur bones and skulls from various species, the park is home to over 200,000 acres of outdoor grandeur.

Here you can peer into the depths of stunning red rock canyons, whitewater raft the world-class Green or Yampa rivers, explore historic cabins and ponder ancient petroglyphs, camp out under a star-studded sky, and of course hike numerous trails venturing into the rugged and beautiful surroundings.

If you like this National Monument you might also like:

• These 4 Colorado National Parks Will Blow Your Mind
• 5 MIGHTY Utah National Parks (Photos + Guide)
• 15 EPIC Things to Do in Rocky Mountain National Park

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3. Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument

Location: Utah, USA
Best Resources: Guidebook / Map
Managed By: BLM
Size: 1,870,000 acres
Established: September 18, 1996

Overall Score: 42/50

• Scenery: 15/15
• Recreation: 10/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

At 1.87 million acres Grand Staircase-Escalante Monument is more than double the size of all 5 of Utah’s National Parks combined and every bit as spectacular. This incredible, Rhode Island-sized national monument is a 200 million year old red rock cathedral of time.

Vast canyons, striking cliff-faces, rugged desert wilderness, and ancient history collide here making for an epic southwestern mecca. The “staircase” steps thousands of feet over five different life zones from coniferous forests to low-lying desert revealing millions of years of truly awesome geological history.

Recreation opportunities here are seemingly endless including hiking, biking, fishing, canyoneering, climbing, rappelling, swimming, camping, backpacking, and so much more.

If you like this National Monument you might also like:

• 16 EPIC HIKES in ZION NATIONAL PARK (+ Helpful Tips & Photos)
• ZION NATIONAL PARK: A (Very) Helpful Guide, Video, Photos, Locations
• 5+ EPIC UTAH NATIONAL PARKS ROAD TRIP (Photos + Video)
• 35+ ROAD TRIP ESSENTIALS (You’ll Love + Packing List)
• 15 BEST FREE ROAD TRIP PLANNING Tools (& Apps) 2022

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4. Giant Sequoia National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources: Map | Guidebook
Managed By: USFS
Size: 221 acres
Established: December 8, 1906

Overall Score: 41/50

• Scenery: 15/15
• Recreation: 10/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 4/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

Is there anything more humbling than being in the presence of an ancient Giant Sequoia? These largest trees in the world are now more endangered than ever with the loss of nearly one fifth of their entire population over the last two years thanks to extreme climate-fueled wildfires.

The monument has several groves of giant sequoias that can be accessed via easy loop trails as well as more strenuous trails to farther flung groves. There are two campgrounds in the monument and plenty of camping opportunities in the area. Be aware that many of the roads and trails are impassable or closed during the winter due to snow and ice.

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5. Río Grande del Norte National Monument

Location: New Mexico, USA
Best Resources: Guide
Managed By: BLM
Size: 242,560 acres
Established: March 25, 2013

Overall Score: 41/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 10/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 5/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

As one of the newer national monuments in the US, Rio Grande Del Norte has a lot to offer both in terms of scenery and recreational opportunities. For starters, the entire 242,000 acre monument is situated above 7,000 feet elevation with deep canyons and extensive volcanic features.

Recreational options at Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument are basically endless with hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, biking, whitewater rafting, horseback riding, wildlife viewing, and so much more. You could stay a week at Rio Del Norte and still not have seen it all.

For folks visiting Rio Grande Del Norte National Monument I recommend checking out the stunning Taos Valley Overlook, hiking the Rio Grande Gorge West Rim Trail, and exploring the John Dunn Bridge Recreation Site.

The monument is located just outside the adventurous New Mexico mountain town of Taos and two hours from Santa Fe.

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List of Top 10 Best US National Monuments

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6. Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Managed By: BLM & NPS
Size: 1,048,325 acres
Established: 2000

Overall Score: 41/50

• Scenery: 15/15
• Recreation: 9/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

The Grand Canyon needs no introduction and no justification, but for this unique monument we’ll provide one anyway. Not to be confused with Grand Canyon National Park, Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is over 1 million acres of remote, rugged, and beautiful country. Did I mention it’s larger than the state of Rhode Island?

In contrast with the national park, here there are no paved roads and access is exclusively by foot, horse, or a high-clearance 4×4 vehicle. The dirt roads here are famously treacherous and unprepared travelers find themselves stuck and in dangerous situations every year. But the allure of venturing into this remote and unspoiled paradise is far too great for many to resist.

Yes, here you can drive into the backcountry and find your own remote vista with million dollar views of one of the most incredible natural wonders in the world. If you do plan on heeding the call of the wild and visiting this remote monument make sure to visit the NPS website and read up on how to plan your visit here, there’s no service of any kind once you’re out there so thorough planning is a must.

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7. Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks National Monument

Location: New Mexico, USA
Best Resources: Guide
Managed By: BLM
Size: 419,532 acres
Established: May 21, 2014

Overall Score: 39/50

• Scenery: 12/15
• Recreation: 8/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 5/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks National Monument is a breathtakingly beautiful desert national monument located adjacent to White Sands National Park in New Mexico.

This monument contains five unique mountain ranges in the Chihuahuan desert.

Recreational opportunities include biking, hiking, climbing, camping, OHV, horseback riding, and more.

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8. Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument

Location: Oregon & California, USA
Managed By: BLM
Size: 114,000 acres
Established: June 9, 2000

Overall Score: 38/50

• Scenery: 12/15
• Recreation: 10/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 4/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Located on the border of Oregon & California at the southern end of the mighty Cascade mountain range, Cascade-Siskiyou is one of America’s premiere national monuments.

Within this national monument lies an incredible amount of biodiversity as well as important cultural sites to a number of native american tribes.

An insane amount of recreational opportunities are available at Cascade-Siskiyou National Monument including hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, camping, horseback riding, climbing, skiing, boating, and more.

Among these, popular activities include hiking up to Pilot Rock for incredible panoramic views, visiting Hyatt Lake, and touring the Highway 66 scenic drive.

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9. Colorado National Monument

Location: Colorado, USA
Best Resources: Map | Guide
Managed By: NPS
Size: 20,533 acres
Established: 1911

Overall Score: 41/50

• Scenery: 13/15
• Recreation: 8/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 5/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

Here’s a terrific example of a national monument done so well it could easily be a national park (and should be). Overlooking the far flung western Colorado city of Grand Junction, Colorado National Monument is home to dazzling red rock formations and canyons reminiscent of Monument Valley.

Sunsets and sunrises over the vast expanses are nothing short of magical here and with plenty of campsites and amenities you’ll have no excuse not to see them.

Rock-climbing the beautiful red-rock spires and monuments is a popular pastime here, eclipsed only by bicycling the park’s scenic roads. Hiking is of course another popular activity and the perfect way to explore the monument in greater detail.

Be sure to check out Colorado’s National Parks while you’re in the area!

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10. Newberry Volcanic National Monument

Location: Oregon, USA
Best Resources: Guide | Guidebook
Managed By: USFS
Size: 54,822 acres
Established: November 5, 1990

Overall Score: 38/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 10/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 5/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: ⅖

About This US National Monument

Rounding out our top 10 best US National Monuments ranked is one of my favorites on this list. Located just outside the beautiful town of Bend, Oregon and completely surrounded by the Deschutes National Forest, Newberry Volcanic National Monument is 54,000 acres of stunning lakes, epic lava flows, and spectacular geologic features.

As one of the few national monuments managed by the US Forest Service, there are a massive array of recreational opportunities at Newberry Volcanic. These include paddleboarding, kayaking, canoeing, hiking, snowmobiling, skiing, fishing, caving, camping, horseback riding, and so much more.

I worked with the US Forest Service & Visit Bend to create a film on the Deschutes National Forest and fondly remember snowmobiling up to Paulina Peak in winter for sunrise (watch the video below).

One of the coolest things to do at Newberry Volcanic National Monument is hike Lava River Cave. At 5,211 feet long the Lava River Cave is the longest (of many) lava tubes in the state of Oregon.

Be sure to check out Bend while you’re around and explore more of the Deschutes National Forest.

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Top 20 Best US National Monuments

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11. Bears Ears National Monument

Location: Utah, USA
Best Resources: Guide | Map
Managed By: USFS, BLM
Size: 1,360,000 acres
Established: December 28, 2016

Overall Score: 38/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 8/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

As one of the many premier outdoor destinations in the state of Utah, Bears Ears National Monument should be on the must-see lists of every public lands enthusiast.

Bears Ears National Monument protects some of the most beautiful and unique lands in the southwest including both natural and cultural wonders.

I recall visiting this monument for the first time and being awed by the diversity of landscapes varying from red rock canyons to high desert plateaus, aspen groves to natural arches, and so much more.

The “bears ears” are actually two prominent buttes located next to each other that can be seen on the horizon for miles around.

Beyond the amazing scenery, there are a host of great recreational opportunities at Bears Ears including hiking, camping, backpacking, canyoneering, climbing, horseback riding, and more.

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12. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 330,688 acres
Established: April 13, 1937

Overall Score: 38/50

• Scenery: 12/15
• Recreation: 9/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 4/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

From friend of MTJP, Terri Rogers who recently visited Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument:

What I love about Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument is it’s so quiet, not crowded, and really feels like you were “out there.” We did several hikes and never encountered another person on any of the trails!

There were people on the roads and at the visitor center and in some of the pull outs/picnic areas, and the campground seemed like it was full, but there were just so many less people there.

The scenery…and cactus…are just stunning. Saguaro National Park being surrounded by Tucson feels like urban hiking, at least on the trails we’ve hiked.

I realize there is a lot of wilderness hiking in saguaro and that once you get out a wee bit it would feel more like you were away from it all…but it’s a different vibe here.

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13. Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM, USFS
Size: 280,320 acres
Established: October 24, 2000

Overall Score: 38/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 10/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 4/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Home to one of the most scenic drives in America, and some of the most beautiful scenery in southern California (which is saying a lot), Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument is a site to behold.

This epic national monument rises rapidly from the desert valley floor to over 10,000 feet in elevation. Visitors can experience this dramatic shift in climate zones via the epic, 67 mile long Palms to Pines Scenic Byway.

The scenery in Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument is both breathtaking and varied, featuring stunning sites similar to what you might find in Death Valley National Park.

On top of all that, the monument has an unparalleled amount of recreational opportunities for visitors including camping, hiking, biking, fishing, hunting, horseback riding, backpacking, and much more.

Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument is located just west of Palm Springs and Palm Desert and can be accessed with ease.

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14. Sonoran Desert National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 486,400 acres
Overall Score: 38/50

• Scenery: 13/15
• Recreation: 7/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Sonoran Desert National Monument consists of nearly half a million acres of beautiful, rugged mountain ranges and vast desert cactus plains.

The monument protects some of the most biologically diverse pieces of desert in the world as well as numerous important archaeological and historic sites.

The scenery at Sonoran Desert is really beautiful, among the finest desert scenery in America.

For those interested in visiting Sonoran Desert National Monument be sure to pack plenty of provisions as there is no drinking water available in the monument itself.

Despite being just an hour from Phoenix, cell service is extremely limited so plan for emergency situations.

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15. Browns Canyon National Monument

Location: Colorado, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: USFS, BLM
Size: 21,604 acres
Established: February 19, 2015

Overall Score: 35/50

• Scenery: 12/15
• Recreation: 8/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Exquisitely carved by the Arkansas River, featuring massive granite cliffs, and pristine rivers, Browns Canyon National Monument is one of the latest additions to the national monuments system. We’re tagging this one in the underrated category of US national monuments.

If you’re into rivers, few are finer than the portion of the Arkansas that flows through Browns Canyon National Monument.

Some of the scenery here is absolutely breathtaking and the recreational opportunities are plentiful including white-water rafting, world class fishing, excellent hiking, climbing, camping, horseback riding, and more.

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16. Sand to Snow National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: USFS, BLM
Size: 154,000 acres
Established: February 12, 2016

Overall Score: 38/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 10/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 4/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Dramatically rising from the desert floor to all the way to alpine vistas at 10,000 feet elevation, Sand to Snow is one of the most striking national monuments in the entire system.

The scenery here is both stunning and varied with a massive amount of biodiversity encompassing everything from the dry desert to high alpine zones.

Beyond the sites, recreational opportunities at Sand to Snow National Monument are seemingly endless including camping, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, hunting, skiing, snowboarding, and more.

And if that wasn’t enough, the national monument is home to a massive amount of native american sites including over 1,700 petroglyphs. All this to say, if you live in California and haven’t yet been, it’s time to give this place a serious look.

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17. Bandelier National Monument

Location: New Mexico, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS

Overall Score: 37/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 5/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Located less than an hour outside of Santa Fe, New Mexico, Bandelier National Monument protects some of the most beautiful puebloan ruins in the American Southwest.

At Bandelier National Monument you’ll find evidence of a human presence here going back over 11,000 years. This includes petroglyphs, dwellings carved into the soft rock cliffs, and standing masonry walls.

I recommend beginning your exploration of Bandelier with a walk on the Main Loop Trail. It’s a short 1.4 mile loop trail that starts from the Visitor Center and leads through excavated archeological sites on the floor of Frijoles Canyon.

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18. Admiralty Island National Monument

Location: Alaska, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: USFS
Size: 955,747 acres
Established: December 1, 1978

Overall Score: 36/50

• Scenery: 15/15
• Recreation: 7/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Protected by America’s greatest conservation President as part of his sweeping Alaska lands protections, Admiralty Island National Monument is home to more than 1,600 brown bears, lush old-growth rainforest, and spectacular scenery.

The monument has a popular 30-mile canoe route that was originally trail blazed by the CCC. Kayaking, canoeing, hiking, and fishing are all popular activities on the island. There are also a number of unique Forest Service cabins available for the public to reserve and use.

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19. Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources: BLM Monument Visitor Guide
Managed By: USFS & BLM
Size: 330,780 acres
Established: July 10, 2015

Overall Score: 36/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 9/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

A relatively new national monument, protected by President Obama in 2015, Berryessa Snow National Monument protects 330,000 acres of magnificent landscapes, wildlife, and some of the rarest plants in North America.

Wildflower season here is a sight to behold with brilliant colors filling the valleys and hillsides. The monument is an outdoor recreation paradise with opportunities for hiking, biking, horseback riding, boating, OHV riding, hunting, fishing, and more throughout the monument.

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20. Misty Fjords National Monument

Location: Alaska, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: USFS
Size: 2,294,343 acres
Established: December 1, 1978

Overall Score: 35/50

• Scenery: 15/15
• Recreation: 8/10
• Accessibility: 2/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Often described as the crown jewel of the U.S. Forest Service, Misty Fjords National Monument protects more than 2 million acres of some of the most wilderness in the world. John Muir likened the area to Yosemite Valley for its similar geology and beauty.

Misty Fjords is one of the more remote monuments being only accessible by float plane or by boat from Ketchikan or Juneau. While the monument is mostly wilderness, there are a number of Forest Service managed cabins and hiking trails available to the public.

With its glacially-carved granite walls, towering old-growth forests, magnificent waterfalls, abundant wildlife, and gigantic mountain ranges, Misty Fjords is one of the most spectacular protected areas in the United States. Thanks to President Carter’s leadership and foresight in 1978 Americans will be able to enjoy this magnificent wilderness for generations to come.

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Top 30 Best US National Monuments

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21. Mojave Trails National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 1,600,000 acres
Established: February 12, 2016

Overall Score: 35/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 4/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Situated in the desert of southeastern California, Mojave Trails National Monument is the largest national monument in the contiguous US. The monument is also home to the longest undeveloped stretch of historic Route 66.

Visitors here will find beautiful desert scenery steeped in history. The monument is largely undeveloped, but does have a developed campground and various 4WD roads to go along with its hiking trails.

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22. Natural Bridges National Monument

Location: Utah, USA
Best Resources: Guide
Managed By: NPS
Size: 7,636 acres
Established: April 16, 1908

Overall Score: 35/50

• Scenery: 14/15
• Recreation: 7/10
• Accessibility: 3/10
• Amenities: 4/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

One of the first few national monuments proclaimed by then President Theodore Roosevelt, Natural Bridges protects a beautiful swath of Utah desert that is home to some of the most spectacular natural bridges found anywhere in the world.

This very remote national monument is actually quite well developed with nice roads, trails, a visitor center, and campground.

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22. San Gabriel Mountains National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 346,240 acres
Established: October 10, 2014

Overall Score: 35/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 8/10
• Accessibility: 9/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

As one of the newest US national monuments, San Gabriel Mountains adds to California’s list of stunning public lands beauty. San Gabriel Mountains National Monument has an incredible amount of biodiversity (some of the most in the US), incredible wildlife, and vital habitat to a number of endangered species.

Recreational opportunities abound here including hiking, cross-country skiing, hunting, nature viewing, picnicking, kayaking, canoeing, horseback riding, and camping.

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24. Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument

Location: Montana, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 377,000 acres
Established: January 17, 2001
Our Favorite Resources: Guide to Floating the Breaks

Overall Score: 35/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 8/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Made famous by the paintings of acclaimed western artist Charles Marion Russell, few places evoke the grandeur of the American West more than the Upper Missouri River Breaks country. A magnificent maze of badlands, prairie, cliffs, and the winding wild & scenic Missouri River, this monument offers so much for public lands enthusiasts.

Here you can hike, fish, raft, hunt, camp, and drive throughout the incredible big sky country scenery all around you.

Visitors should be aware that there are a number of private land tracts within the monument. In most cases these lands are held by ranchers whose families have lived here for generations, be sure to respect their property rights and understand that they have helped play an important role in keeping this scenic area undeveloped and beautiful.

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25. Ironwood Forest National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 129,055 acres
Established: June 9, 2000

Overall Score: 35/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 7/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Magnificent herds of bighorn sheep, thousands of giant saguaro cacti, and home to some of the highest concentrations of Ironwood trees in the world, Ironwood Forest National Monument falls into our “underrated” monuments category.

Ironwood National Monument is located in Arizona’s sonoran desert and also preserves a collection of over 200 Hohokam and Paleoindian sites.

Recreational opportunities abound at Ironwood National Monument including primitive camping, hiking, mountain biking, horseback riding, hunting, birdwatching, and more.

In the spring, visitors will be treated to dazzling wildflower displays.

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Top 30 National Monuments in America

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26. Walnut Canyon National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 3,529 acres
Established: November 30, 1915

Overall Score: 35/50

• Scenery: 10/15
• Recreation: 5/10
• Accessibility: 8/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Located on Arizona’s famous Colorado plateau, Walnut Canyon conserves a host of Sinaguan cliff dwellings built in the 1300s.

Beyond the incredible cultural sites the monument is known for, Walnut Canyon is also home to some amazing geological formations and beautiful desert scenery.

I recommend checking out the Island Trail which takes visitors right by some of the best dwellings as well as the Rim Trail which gives you a grander perspective of the canyon.

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27. Chiricahua National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 12,025 acres
Established: April 18, 1924

Overall Score: 34/50

• Scenery: 10/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 4/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Referred to as “The Land of the Standing-Up Rocks” by the Apache, and “a wonderland of rocks” by the National Park Service, Arizona’s Chiricahua National Monument is a sight to behold.

The national monument’s main and mesmerizing attraction are pillars of rhyolite tuff left by ancient volcanoes that seem to stretch on endlessly.

The monument was established to protect these unique balancing rocks for all time.

Today visitors should be sure to tour the 8 mile scenic drive and hike some of the national monument’s 17 miles of trails.

Chiricahua National Monument is also home to the rare (for US residents), White-nosed Coatis.

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28. Devils Tower National Monument

Location: Wyoming, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 1,346 acres
Established: September 24, 1906

Overall Score: 34/50

• Scenery: 12/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 4/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Devils Tower National Monument is actually America’s first national monument thanks to Theodore Roosevelt invoking his newly acquired powers under the 1906 Antiquities Act. Devils Tower is a classic national monument that checks all the boxes roadtrippers and public lands enthusiasts are looking for in an outdoor destination.

Of course I’d be remiss not to mention the 1977 sci-fi classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which of course was set here. Having grown up on Steven Spielberg films it was a real treat for my brothers and I to visit Devils Tower and walk the loop trail around the tower searching for old filming locations and taking in incredible views.

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29. Canyon de Chelly National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS, Navajo Nation
Size: 83,840 acres
Established: April 1, 1931

Overall Score: 34/50

• Scenery: 13/15
• Recreation: 5/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Canyon De Chelly, (pronounced Canyon De Shay), protects an area of spectacular red rock canyons located in northeastern Arizona. These magnificent canyons are home to countless Native American ruins and were the last redoubt of the Navajo as they resisted invasions from the U.S. government.

It was here that the Navajo made their last stand against Kit Carson and the U.S. Army in 1864 before surrendering and being forced on The Long Walk to the Bosque Redondo reservation in New Mexico. Carson and the U.S. Army used scorched earth tactics against the Navajo, burning their villages and food, in order to force them from their lands and onto squalorly reservations where many perished in unimaginably harsh conditions.

This monument is sacred to the Navajo people and should be visited with the utmost respect for its beauty and its special place in American history.

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30. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument

Location: New Mexico, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 5,402 acres
Established: January 17, 2001

Overall Score: 33/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 5/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

If you’ve ever seen the epic photos of hot air balloons and dreamed of visiting Cappadocia, Turkey, New Mexico’s Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument is for you.

This beautiful national monument is a veritable geologist’s fantasyland complete with otherworldly “tent rocks” that appear to be from something from a NASA telescope.

According to the Bureau of Land Management, “the cone-shaped tent rock formations are the products of volcanic eruptions that occurred 6 to 7 million years ago and left pumice, ash, and tuff deposits over 1,000 feet thick.”

For folks interested in visiting this New Mexico national monument, I highly recommend the Cave Loop Trail with the Slot Canyon Trail add-on as the “must-see” spots in Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument.

The monument is located less than an hour’s drive from Albuquerque making it an easy day trip.

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Top 40 Best National Monuments of America

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31. Muir Woods National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 553 acres
Established: January 9, 1908

Overall Score: 33/50

• Scenery: 13/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 8/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 1/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Situated just off California’s coastline and named for the legendary conservationist, Muir Woods National Monument is home to some of the most beautiful stands of old-growth redwoods on the planet.

Now, I must say, compared to the redwoods you’ll find in Redwood National & State Parks, or the Sequoias you’ll see at Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, these specimens leave something to be desired. However, they’re still worth a visit, especially for nearby San-Franciscans.

Getting into the national monument requires advance reservation so be sure to check in prior to visiting. Once you’re there just follow the Main Trail (yes, that’s its name) which takes hikers through the grove.

Along the way you’ll see bridges which cross to the other side of the loop allowing hikers to do a .5, 1, or 2 mile loop.

Initially I thought this monument would rank much higher on our list but the wealth of incredible national monuments in the US has pushed it to this spot. Crowds and recreational opportunities are the main detracting factors here.

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32. Agua Fria National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 72,320 acres
Established: January 11, 2000

Overall Score: 33/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Located just an hour north of Phoenix, Arizona lies one of the most beautiful national monuments in the southwest, Agua Fria National Monument.

Agua Fria National Monument contains vast collections of pictographs and petroglyphs, a tremendous diversity of wildlife, and deep desert canyons.

Recreational opportunities abound here including hiking, fishing, hunting, biking, horseback riding, camping, and more.

One thing to keep in mind for folks interested in visiting is that four wheel drive is king in this national monument. If you don’t have a four wheel drive vehicle then most of the monument is completely inaccessible.

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33. Gold Butte National Monument

Location: Nevada, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 296,937 acres
Established: December 28, 2016

Overall Score: 33/50

• Scenery: 13/15
• Recreation: 7/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 1/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Gold Butte is a spectacular red rock wonderland just over 2 hours from Las Vegas in the Nevada desert. Along a 62 mile backcountry scenic drive (4WD required) visitors will be treated to dazzling rock formations, numerous petroglyphs and ancient ruins, and plenty of flora and fauna.

The monument is very remote and, apart from rough roads and trails, has almost no developed amenities. But for those adventurous souls looking for a memorable backcountry desert experience Gold Butte more than delivers.

With hiking, biking, horseback riding, camping, hunting, OHV riding, and more, this expansive national monument offers so much for those looking to get off the beaten path.

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34. Navajo National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 360 acres
Established: March 20, 1909

Overall Score: 32/50

• Scenery: 10/15
• Recreation: 5/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Located two and a half hours northeast of Flagstaff, Arizona, Navajo National Monument preserves some of the most beautiful, ancient cliff dwellings in North America. The canyons of this region have been inhabited by the Hopi, Navajo, San Juan Southern Paiute, and Zuni tribes over centuries of time.

While the monument is fairly remote, those who make it here will be rewarded with stunning scenery and incredibly well preserved history.

There are three short, self-guided hiking trails at Navajo National Monument, the most popular of which is the Sandal Trail which leads hikers to the Betatakin Cliff Dwelling overlook.

If you plan on visiting the monument, I highly recommend checking ahead of time to see if the national park service is offering ranger guided tours into the Betatakin Cliff Dwelling which is the highlight of the trip.

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35. El Malpais National Monument

Location: New Mexico, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 114,347 acres
Established: December 31, 1987

Overall Score: 34/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 7/10
• Accessibility: 8/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

El Malpais National Monument offers visitors a richly diverse volcanic landscape that is unique to the region. At El Malpais you can explore incredible geologic features such as lava flows, cinder cones, lava tube caves, and sandstone bluffs.

The name of the national monument comes from the Spanish term “Malpaís”, which means badlands, named because of the harsh conditions and empty volcanic landscape.

At El Malpais visitors can go on scenic drives, take in some great desert hikes, and even watch the nightly bat flights during summer.

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36. Cedar Breaks National Monument

Location: Utah, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 6,155 acres
Established: August 22, 1933

Overall Score: 32/50

• Scenery: 10/15
• Recreation: 7/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Located atop the exceedingly scenic region known as the grand staircase, Cedar Breaks National Monument encompasses a spectacular red rock amphitheater amidst Utah’s desert high country.

The monument is rich with flora and fauna, including vast stands of evergreens and aspen, wildflowers, and abundant wildlife. Cedar Breaks can often be overshadowed by its more popular neighbors including Zion and Bryce Canyon National Parks, but is well worth a trip by itself.

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37. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument

Location: Colorado, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 5,998 acres
Established: August 20, 1969

Overall Score: 33/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 8/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Located just outside Colorado Springs, about 2 hours driving from Denver, Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument is a great place for budding geologists.

Something a lot of people don’t realize is that California is not the only place redwoods once thrived. Believe it or not, there are thousands of years old fossilized redwood stumps located in Colorado’s Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument. Some of these stumps are up to 14 feet wide.

Folks interested in visiting Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument should definitely add hiking the Petrified Forest Loop to your list of things to do in the park. On this trail you’ll find the “Big Stump” which is one the largest petrified stumps in the world!

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38. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument

Location: New Mexico, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 533 acres
Established: November 16, 1907

Overall Score: 32/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Located in the remote southwestern corner of New Mexico, Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument protects the remnants of the region’s Mogollon culture who inhabited the area 800 years ago.

Today visitors interested in seeing the dwelling should hike the short Cliff Dweller Trail as well as the Trail to the Past which also features a wall of pictographs.

Getting to the park requires some effort as the closest major city is El Paso at just under four hours away.

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39. Hovenweep National Monument

Location: Colorado & Utah, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 784 acres
Established: March 2, 1923

Overall Score: 32/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 5/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 4/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

One of the few national monuments that spans multiple states, Hovenweep National Monument protects six prehistoric villages constructed nearly 3,000 years ago. The fact that the Puebloan ruins of Hovenweep are still standing today is proof of the skill of the builders.

Folks visiting Hovenweep National Monument should know that the monument is splintered into five isolated tracts of land. The driving distance between the furthest points however, (the Cajon Group to the Cutthroat Castle Group) is only 25 minutes.

I recommend seeing the Square Tower Group as the most impressive of the ruins. While in the area be sure to check out Canyon of the Ancients National Monument (also included on this list).

Visiting Hovenweep can be a bit of a challenge as it is a remote national monument located in the four corners region of Colorado and Utah. The closest sizable city is Durango, Colorado at just under two hours away. The closest major city to Hovenweep is Albuquerque despite being just under 5 hours away.

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40. Pipestone National Monument

Location: Minnesota, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 282 acres
Established: August 25, 1937

Overall Score: 32/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Pipestone National Monument preserves a sacred Native American site that has been used to quarry pipestone to make ceremonial pipes for millenia. The site has long been considered neutral ground where all tribes were welcome to quarry the stone used to make their ceremonial pipes.

The monument offers visitors the ability to learn about its critical importance to Native American tribes and their culture as well as the opportunity to see the quarry in use today for the same purpose. In addition to the quarry there is a beautiful waterfall and a short walking path for visitors to enjoy the beauty of the area.

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Top 50 Best National Monuments of America

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41. Tonto National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 1,120 acres
Established: October 21, 1907

Overall Score: 32/50

• Scenery: 10/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Located two hours outside of Phoenix, Arizona, and surrounded by the Tonto National Forest, Tonto National Monument protects two well-preserved, Salado-style cliff dwellings.

Of the two dwellings, the lower cliff dwelling is the most easily accessed up a steep half mile long trail that visitors are welcome to hike at their leisure. I have to say, touring a cliff dwelling unaccompanied by a guide is a rare opportunity and visitors should tread lightly in this special place.

Seeing the upper cliff dwelling requires advance reservation of a guided tour offered by the National Park Service. The tour itself takes about 3-4 hours to complete.

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42. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 293,689 acres
Established: November 9, 2000

Overall Score: 32/50

• Scenery: 13/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 4/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

This one is a real beauty. Most people know about this monument because of the Instagram-famous feature called The Wave, but this entire monument is gorgeous red rock scenery waiting to be explored.

If you’re interested in visiting The Wave you’d better have lady luck on your side because permits are done via an in-person lottery system that is notoriously difficult to win.

We visited the lottery once and met a couple visiting from France who had come five mornings in a row and were unsucessful each time. Their luck did not change while we were there.

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43. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument

Location: Colorado, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 176,056 acres
Established: June 9, 2000

Overall Score: 32/50

• Scenery: 10/15
• Recreation: 7/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

This vast national monument protects countless archeological and historical sites and offers spectacular hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping opportunities for the adventurous sort.

Just about everything here is off-the-beaten-path, as they say, with ample opportunities for solitude amidst the rocky scenery.

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44. El Morro National Monument

Location: New Mexico, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 7,636 acres
Established: April 16, 1908

Overall Score: 35/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 5/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

El Morro refers to the massive sandstone promontory for which the monument is named. A reliable watering hole located at the base of the prominence attracted travelers for miles around, many of which left their signatures on the wall itself.

According to the National Park Service, inscriptions were left on the rock by ancient Puebloans, early Spanish explorers, American pioneers, western emigrants, soldiers, and railroad surveyors.

For those interested in visiting El Morro there are a few great hikes to take in the park including the Inscription Trail where visitors can view the signatures of past travelers (but not make any new ones of their own) as well as the Headland Trail.

El Morro National Monument is located an hour south of Gallup, New Mexico and can easily be accessed with a regular vehicle.

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45. Craters of the Moon National Monument

Location: Idaho, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 434,000 acres
Established: May 2, 1924

Overall Score: 31/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

If you’re wondering what it looks like on the moon or mars, a great place to start is Craters of the Moon National Monument for such an otherworldly experience.

Craters of the Moon National Monument is home to fantastical volcanic cinder cones, giant lava tubes, and massive open fissures including the deepest open rift crack in the world.

As far as the national monuments that I personally believe are ripe for elevation to national park status, few are higher on the list than this epic place.

For folks interested in visiting Craters of the Moon National Monument I recommend hiking out to Big Craters, exploring Indian Cave (free permit required), and visiting the Inferno Cone.

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46. Katahdin Woods and Waters National MonumenT

Location: Maine, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 87,563 acres
Established: August 24, 2016

Overall Score: 31/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 9/10
• Accessibility: 3/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

Thanks entirely to an extremely generous gift by local Maine philanthropist Roxanne Quimby, a co-founder of Burt’s Bees, President Obama designated Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument in the summer of 2016.

The monument spans over 87,000 acres of pristine woodlands, streams, and abundant wildlife.

The monument is still being developed and thus lacks a lot of the infrastructure one might typically find in a National Park Service site. Still the monument offers a wide variety of recreation activities including canoeing, camping, hiking, biking, and more.

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47. Effigy Mounds National Monument

Location: Iowa, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 2,526 acres
Established: October 25, 1949

Overall Score: 31/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 5/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

This spectacular national monument preserves one of the most fascinating Native American historical sites in the United States. The effigy mounds are sacred burial mounds, many formed in the shape of animals important to the native peoples of the region.

The monument site is also situated in one of the most scenic areas of the Upper Mississippi River Valley offering picturesque views of the river as well as beautiful walks in the woods.

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48. Petroglyph National Monument

Location: New Mexico, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 7,532 acres
Established: June 27, 1990

Overall Score: 31/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 10/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Petroglyph National Monument in New Mexico is home to an estimated 24,000 images carved into the black volcanic rock that dominates the landscape. Visitors can hike a number of trails that provide opportunities to view the ancient rock art and take in the high desert scenery of the area.

The monument is co-managed by the National Park Service and the city of Albuquerque with the city owning more than two thirds of the monument land. Unfortunately this has led to issues regarding poor management and protection of the monument’s resources on the city’s behalf.

This is a great monument to visit if you’re only interested in a short visit or some simple day hiking as it’s easily accessed from downtown Albuquerque with all its amenities.

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49. Carrizo Plain National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By:
Size: 211,045 acres
Established: January 17, 2001

Overall Score: 30/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 1/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Carrizo Plain National Monument is world famous for its incredible and unfathomably massive wildflower blooms that take place each spring. I’ve seen a lot of epic wildflower blooms in my day but nothing comes close to the heavenly sites on display at Carrizo Plain.

Located 3 hours north of Los Angeles, California, this staggeringly beautiful national monument is one everyone should add to their must-see lists for the spring bloom. Typically the peak bloom at Carrizo Plain National Monument takes place sometime around the first week of April but varies from year to year depending on rainfall.

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50. Poverty Point National Monument

Location: Louisiana, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 910 acres
Established: October 31, 1988

Overall Score: 30/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 5/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

For the budding Indiana Jones out there, Poverty Point National Monument is your kind of place. Poverty Point is one the largest prehistoric earthworks in North America and one of the most significant Indian sites in North America.

Poverty Point is one of only 24 UNESCO world heritage sites in the US, one of only 4 in the southeastern United States, and one of four on this complete list of US National Monuments.

The main attraction at Poverty Point National Monument today is the impressive complex of earthworks ranging from 4-6 feet in height. The Bird Mound is one of the largest mounds in North America.

For those interested in visiting, Poverty Point is located just an hour east of Monroe, Louisiana and 90 minutes west of Jackson, Mississippi.

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51. Scotts Bluff National Monument

Location: Nebraska, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 3,005 acres
Established: December 12, 1919

Overall Score: 30/50

• Scenery: 10/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

You have died of dysentery. That’s an Oregon Trail joke for the rest of you 80’s and 90’s kids. Seriously though, Scotts Bluff National Monument is a fantastic great American road trip stop where you can step back in time to the days of the Oregon Trail. And I mean that literally, you can walk a portion of the Oregon Trail here.

In addition to the historical significance of the area the bluff itself is beautiful and can be seen for miles around. Better yet, you can drive to the top of Scotts Bluff thanks to a CCC built road and look out at the vast prairies and bluffs around you. I highly recommend a stop at this great monument.

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52. Fort Ord National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 14,658 acres
Established: April 20, 2012

Overall Score: 29/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 8/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Situated in the rolling green hills above the picturesque seaside California town of Monterey, Fort Ord National Monument offers thousands of acres of hiking, biking, and horseback riding trails. Spring displays of wildflowers and the endangered Smith’s Blue Butterfly are must-sees in this relatively new recreation destination.

True to its name, Fort Ord is a former military installation which ceased most of its operations in 1994. The land comprising the fort was mostly parceled out amongst the state of California and the BLM. The BLM portion of which was proclaimed as a national monument under President Obama. The U.S. Army still maintains a small presence in the area.

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53. Montezuma Castle National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 859 acres
Established: December 8, 1906

Overall Score: 30/50

• Scenery: 7/15
• Recreation: 5/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

One of America’s first national monuments, proclaimed by the original conservationist president Theodore Roosevelt himself, Montezuma’s Castle protects a group of magnificent Sinagua cliff dwellings in Arizona.

The name of the monument is a misnomer caused by early Europeans associating large native ruins with the Aztec emperor Montezuma, who actually had nothing to do with the native culture in Arizona.

The monument is relatively small, but is very accessible and offers opportunities to view some truly spectacular cliff dwellings.

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54. Oregon Caves National Monument

Location: Oregon, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 4,554 acres

Overall Score: 29/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Oregon Caves National Monument preserves a spectacular cave system hidden deep within the Siskiyou Mountains. In addition to the caves the monument offers extensive hiking trails into the beautiful surrounding forest as well as hunting and opportunities to see wildlife.

One of the most popular sites at Oregon Caves National Monument is the Marble Cave which, as the name suggests, is a fantastical cave made of marble.

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55. San Juan Islands National Monument

Location: Washington, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 970 acres
Established: March 25, 2013

Overall Score: 35/50

• Scenery: 10/15
• Recreation: 5/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Located in Washington’s stunning Puget Sound and one of the newer national monuments, San Juan Islands is a sea kayakers paradise. The monument itself consists of less than 1000 acres of protected area, much of which is a collection of small islands and rocks within the Puget Sound.

Access is fairly limited to the San Juan Islands National Monument which lowers its standing on our list and recreational opportunities are also limited to mostly water activities.

If you’re in the area, interested in visiting, and have a kayak then it’s definitely worth the stop!

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56. Grand Portage National Monument

Location: Minnesota, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 710 acres
Established: 1958

Overall Score: 29/50

• Scenery: 7/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 4/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Located on the North Shore of Lake Superior in the far northeastern corner of Minnesota, Grand Portage National Monument preserves a historic fur trading hub that was central to the native Ojibwe culture.

The Monument offers hiking trails that provide beautiful views of Lake Superior and the surrounding area. There are no campgrounds, but backcountry camping is an option. Reenactments are a major attraction here and offer an incredible window into the area’s past. These events are particularly fun for kids.

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57. Russell Cave National Monument

Location: Alabama, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 310 acres
Established: May 11, 1961

Overall Score: 29/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 9/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Located on the Tennessee border in northern Alabama just 45 minutes driving from Chattanooga, Russell Cave National Monument is an archaeologist’s dream. Based on the artifacts discovered in the cave, experts are confident that humans have inhabited this site for over 10,000 years.

Growing up in neighboring Georgia I had no idea this amazing place even existed until later in life.

Folks interested in visiting the national monument should add the Russell Cave Nature Trail to your list of things to do in the park as it takes visitors right up to the cave shelter.

Unfortunately, the National Park Service does not allow visitors to tour the cave but the site is definitely still worth a visit in my book.

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58. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 3,040 acres
Established: May 30, 1930

Overall Score: 29/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument is centered around an epic, massive cinder cone that erupted just 1000 years ago devastating the landscape for miles around.

Today, people can tour this incredible site and see the rebirth of the area first-hand. Sublime wildflower blooms take place here in the Spring filling the dark volcanic landscape with carpets of bright yellow.

I recommend stopping by the Cinder Hills Overlook for sweeping views of the surrounding mountains as well as hiking the Lava Flow Trail to see the remnants of the volcanic activity first-hand.

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59. Tuzigoot National Monument, Arizona

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 812 acres
Established: July 25, 1939

Overall Score: 29/50

• Scenery: 7/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

This small national monument not far from the outdoor resort town of Sedona protects an expansive Sinagua Pueblo ruin perched on a ridge overlooking the surrounding area. The monument provides visitors with opportunities to learn about the ancient settlement it protects and life for early native Americans in the area.

The monument has a visitor center and various short walking trails offering opportunities to see the ruins and the surrounding area.

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60. Wupatki National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 35,422 acres
Established: December 9, 1924

Overall Score: 29/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

This is a great national monument to visit if you’re planning a trip to the Grand Canyon or are going to be near the Flagstaff area. The monument protects scores of beautiful pueblo ruins scattered amidst the red rock high desert with the picturesque San Francisco peaks looming in the background.

Walk the trails and visit the ruins and ponder the life of those who came before us. Enjoy the fresh desert air and take in the views around you.

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61. Chimney Rock National Monument

Location: Colorado, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: USFS
Size: 4,726 acres
Established: September 21, 2012

Overall Score: 29/50

• Scenery: 10/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 1/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

In addition to its namesake rock protruding from the forested hills of the San Juan National Forest, Chimney Rock National Monument is home to the ruins of a magnificently complex ancient Pueblo community overlooking the forest valleys that were once cultivated by their Native American inhabitants.

Visitors can marvel at the stone kivas and great houses of the site as well as the incredible astronomical alignments of the rocks and structures.

Developed recreational opportunities are unfortunately still quite limited despite the monument’s size, but it’s well worth a trip to see the incredible ancient site perched atop a mesa with a commanding view at sunset.

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62. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument

Location: Oregon, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 14,003 acres
Established: October 8, 1975

Overall Score: 28/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 3/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

The Painted Hills unit of John Day Fossil Beds is one of the “seven wonders of Oregon” and one of the most visually striking locations on our list of US National Monuments.

The colors on the hills are attributed to ancient eruptions that caused ash layers to deposit over many years and caused different minerals to reach and solidify into various colored bands over time.

But the Painted Hill are special because they are a window to the past. The rock layers have been ardently studied to determine geological time scales of these ancient hills and some of the soil is believed to date back millions of years.

There’s only a handful of other places in the world that have colorful hills akin to the Painted Hills.

Beyond the Painted Hills, John Day has several other units worth visiting as well full of great recreational opportunities.

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63. Aniakchak National Monument

Location: Alaska, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: acres
Established:

Overall Score: 28/50

• Scenery: 15/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 1/10
• Amenities: 0/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

Located in Alaska’s otherworldly “Ring of Fire” volcanic region, Aniakchak National Monument is one of the most visually stunning national monuments in the world with scenery that must be seen to be believed.

The tricky part is actually getting there to see these sights which is not easy and extremely expensive.

Those who make it will be rewarded with once-in-a-lifetime experiences and rugged alaskan beauty.

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64. Cabrillo National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 144 acres
Established: October 14, 1913

Overall Score: 28/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 10/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 2/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Located in sunny San Diego, California, Cabrillo National Monument recognizes Juan Rodriguez Cabrillo’s arrival as the first European to set foot on the west coast of the United States. While the monument itself is a mere 144 acres, tiny by monument standards, it’s a beautiful site to visit and spend an afternoon.

At the monument you’ll find stunning San Diego coastline, Old Loma Point Lighthouse, a few short hiking trails, and a statue recognizing Cabrillo’s achievement.

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65. Fort Pulaski National Monument

Location: Georgia, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 5,623 acres
Established: October 15, 1924

Overall Score: 28/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

The major historical significance of Fort Pulaski lies not with its original construction but rather its ultimate demise. This was the fort during the American civil war on which union forces first tested its rifled cannons against the confederate occupiers.

The resulting success of the union forever changed fortifications as new weaponry prevailed over traditional masonry forts.

Touring the fort today is lovely as the grounds have been well-preserved and the Georgia coast is one of the most beautiful places in the US. I recommend walking the impressive grounds of the fort itself where you can see the barracks of the soldiers housed there as well as the sprawling fortifications.

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66. Fossil Butte National Monument

Location: Wyoming, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 8,198 acres
Established: October 23, 1972

Overall Score: 28/50

• Scenery: 7/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

For folks who love archaeology, this is a national monument for you. According to the National Park Service, Fossil Butte is home to some of the best preserved fossils in the world. Here you can find fossilized plants, fishes, reptiles, insects, birds, and mammals.

Located in the southwestern corner of Wyoming Fossil Butte is a bit remote. The closest major city is Salt Lake City, which is about two and a half hours away (144 miles) driving.

For those who choose to visit the monument, you’ll be greeted by the glorious flat topped ridges and big sky country of Wyoming’s sagebrush desert. The visitor center is a great starting point full of amazing fossils before taking the 5.5 mile scenic drive through the Fossil Butte.

There’s also a few great hiking trails, I recommend the Historic Quarry Trail & Fossil Butte Nature Trail.

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67. Jewel Cave National Monument

Location: South Dakota, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 1,273 acres
Established: February 7, 1908

Overall Score: 28/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 5/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Located in the magical Black Hills of South Dakota and home to the third longest (mapped) cave system in the world, Jewel Cave is definitely a national monument that should be added to your next trip to South Dakota.

The park service has had some elevator maintenance in recent years that have made touring the caves difficult but we’ve confirmed that the cave is now fully operational and ready for your next visit.

I highly recommend the Discovery Tour for folks short on time (takes about 20 minutes) and the Scenic Tour (about 80 minutes) for folks looking for a more in-depth experience.

There are also a couple of nice hiking trails above ground as well including the short Roof Trail and longer Canyons Trail.

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68. Devils Postpile National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 798 acres
Established: July 6, 1911

Overall Score: 27/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

Located in the heart of the Sierra Nevada mountains and one of California’s most unique national monuments, Devils Postpile features the “world’s finest examples of columnar basalt” according to the NPS.

What does that mean to non-geologists? The park has some really cool rock formations, similar to what you might see at Devils Tower National Monument. Apparently columnar basalt was quite hellish looking to those who stumbled upon it back in the day.

For a relatively small national monument there’s quite a bit of recreational opportunities for visitors at Devils Postpile National Monument. These include hiking, fishing, cycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, snowshoeing, skiing, and more.

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69. Lava Beds National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 46,692 acres
Established: November 21, 1925

Overall Score: 28/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 5/10
• Accessibility: 3/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Lava Beds National Monument is a spectacularly unique lava field landscape with cinder cones, lava tubes, caves, craters, chimney, vents, and all kinds of fascinating geologic formations.

Visitors can explore this unique area through a number of easy hiking trails and can even explore lava tubes. For the more adventurous caving is also an option here.

The monument was also the site of the last stand made by a band Native Americans from the Modoc tribe in 1873. In a natural fortress tucked in the lava beds the Modoc held off the U.S. Army for several months despite being outnumbered by more than 10:1.

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70. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument

Location: Idaho, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 4,351 acres

Overall Score: 28/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 1/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: ⅗

About This US National Monument

Hagerman Fossil Beds is internationally renowned among paleontologists for containing the world’s richest known fossil deposits from the late Pliocene epoch (3.5 million years ago). The area is also known for being home to the largest concentration of Hagerman’s Horse fossils in the world. The Hagerman’s Horse was an early horse that resembled a zebra and roamed the grasslands of North America up until 10,000 years ago.

Visitors to the monument can see various fossils inside the visitor center and learn about how the area appeared some 3 million years ago. The monument also has hiking trails and overlooks of the Snake River and the Oregon Trail.

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Top 70 National Monuments in America

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71. Jurassic National Monument

Location: Utah, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 850 acres
Established: March 12, 2019

Overall Score: 28/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

One of the newest national monuments, Jurassic National Monument protects the Cleveland-Lloyd Dinosaur Quarry which contains the largest concentration of Jurassic dinosaur fossils ever found.

The monument is very remote and fairly small at just 850 acres, but it has three nice hiking trails (each around 2 miles) offering beautiful views and opportunities to see petroglyphs.

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72. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument

Location: Nevada, USA
Best Resources: Park Website
Managed By: NPS
Size: 22,650 acres

Overall Score: 28/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 1/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Created in December of 2014, Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument protects thousands of acres of Mojave desert and a large concentration of Ice Age fossils including mammoths and the American lion.

Despite being 7 years old, the monument still has a near total lack of amenities including developed recreational areas. With that said, the monument is close to Las Vegas and has a 3 mile “temporary trail” where visitors can view seasonal wildflowers and the vast Mojave desert.

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73. Pompeys Pillar National Monument

Location: Montana, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 51 acres
Established: January 17, 2001

Overall Score: 27/50

• Scenery: 7/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

One of the smallest national monuments in the country, Pompeys Pillar rises above the Yellowstone River in Montana and was famously visited by the Lewis & Clark expedition. William Clark named the rock formation after Sacagawea’s son Jean Baptiste Charbonneau who was nicknamed Pompey.

The monument provides a scenic view of the Yellowstone River and is conveniently located off of I-94. Visitors can explore the pillar and see William Clark’s original inscription in the stone from 1806. There are restrooms and an interpretive center as well as a picnic area.

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74. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument

Location: Nebraska, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 3,057 acres

Overall Score: 27/50

• Scenery: 7/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Located in Nebraska’s northwest corner, Agate Fossil Beds National Monument is home to some of the most significant fossil discoveries in the world. The Miocene fossils here are the real show, internationally recognized for their importance.

According to the NPS, “Agate is the world’s leading source of full-skeleton specimens of Miocene mammals.”

Agate Fossil Beds National Monument also has a more recent history of native american leaders such as Red Cloud of the Oglala Lakota and others once roamed these plains.

I recommend stopping by the visitor center where many amazing fossil specimens are on display before exploring the grounds.

The two main trails in the park are the Daemonelix Trai which takes visitors by some really cool corkscrew fossils and the accessible Fossil Hills Trail which takes visitors over the Niobrara River.

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75. Aleutian Islands World War II National Monument

Location: Alaska, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 4,950 acres
Established: December 5, 2008

Overall Score: 27/50

• Scenery: 10/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 2/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Home to the Unangax̂ people for over 8,000 years, the Aleutian Islands World War II National Monument recognizes the significance of these Alaskan islands during the second world war.

While the entire archipelago is over a thousand miles long, the national monument is located on Amaknak Island and encompasses the former grounds of the US army base Fort Schwatka.

Today visitors can check out the Aleutian World War II Visitor Center at the Unalaska airport. From there those that are interested can tour a dozen or so incredible WWII sites.

The catch here is getting to the monument itself which is both remote and expensive.

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76. César E. Chávez National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 116 acres

Overall Score: 27/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 1/10
• Accessibility: 8/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Established in 2012, César E. Chávez National Monument preserves the headquarters of Chávez’ United Farm Workers and tells the story of César Chávez’ role in Latino-American history and fighting for the rights of farm workers.

Visitors here can learn about this important chapter in American history and get an inside look into the life of one of America’s most iconic labor and civil rights leaders.

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77. Fort McHenry National Monument, Maryland

Location: Maryland, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 43 acres

Overall Score: 27/50

• Scenery: 4/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 10/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

The fort that inspired America’s national anthem is still standing and waiting for you to visit. Fort McHenry played an important role in the War of 1812 when it successfully beat back a British attack on Baltimore Harbor.

Visitors here can tour the fort, walk the seawall trail, watch reenactments, join ranger-guided programs, and learn about the history of the fort at the visitor center.

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78. Fort Frederica National Monument

Location: Georgia, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 218 acres

Overall Score: 27/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Located on the southern coast of Georgia and originally built by the state’s first governor, James Oglethorpe, nearly 300 years ago, Fort Frederica National Monument is older than the country itself.

The ruins you see today are of the old fort which protected the southern border of the British colony from Spanish attacks. In 1742 the British troops based in Fort Frederica defeated the Spanish attackers decisively and thus the fate of Georgia as a british colony was sealed.

Today visitors can check out the visitor center, watch a 20 minute video, tour the beautiful grounds, and venture out to the Bloody Marsh unit of the national monument.

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79. Booker T. Washington National Monument, Virginia

Location: Virginia, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 199 acres

Overall Score: 27/50

• Scenery: 5/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 8/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Booker T. Washington National Monument tells the story of a slave turned renowned scholar and civil rights leader. The monument sits on the site of the small cabin where Washington was born a slave, an incredible juxtapostion when compared with who he would go on to become in spite of all the odds.

Visitors here can walk the grounds and learn about the conditions Washington was raised in as well as about his life in general. There are also hiking trails and opportunities for birdwatching and picnicking.

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80. George Washington Birthplace National Monument

Location: Virginia, USA
Best Resources: Virginia National Parks
Managed By: NPS
Size: 662 acres

Overall Score: 27/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 2/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Many think of Mount Vernon when they think of visiting a historic site tied to America’s most famous founding father, but George Washington Birthplace National Monument is well worth your consideration.

The property was originally settled by George Washington’s great-grandfather John Washington in 1657 and America’s future first president spent some of his formative years there at various times growing up. The Monument is a classic example of early colonial architecture and features beautiful waterfront grounds steeped in history to roam and explore.

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81. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument

Location: New Mexico, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 1,077 acres

Overall Score: 27/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument preserves some of the last remains of the earliest contact between Spanish colonists and native Pueblo people.

The ruins of three spanish missions which date back to the early 1600’s as well as Pueblo ruins which predate them can be explored by visitors here.

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82. Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Location: Utah, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 250 acres

Overall Score: 27/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Timpanogos Cave National Monument preserves a spectacular cave system minutes from Salt Lake City.

The caves feature numerous colorful and unique formations and offer visitors a glimpse of the incredible natural world beneath our feet.

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83. Statue of Liberty National Monument

Location: New York, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 58 acres
Established: October 15, 1924

Overall Score: 27/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 1/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

This is a ranking some folks are bound to take issue with. How could we rank such an iconic symbol of American freedom, hope, and democratic ideals so low on our list? How dare we!

Justification: For starters, this list prioritizes natural wonders over those that are made by humans. In a contest between Devils Tower or Statue of Liberty, we’ll go with Devils Tower every time.

Also, it’s just how the numbers sorted out – there are large crowds, limited recreational opportunities (pretty much just walking around the monument, walking up the monument, and the boat ride over if you want to count that).

Now that we’ve covered the reason for the ranking, let’s talk about this amazing national monument! The boat ride over is half the fun giving visitors epic views of the iconic New York City lower Manhattan skyline.

Visiting Statue of Liberty: While the monument is technically free, visitors must purchase a ferry ticket to get there which run $12/children & $23/adults. Once on Liberty Island, there are seperate tickets for “Pedestal Access (near the feet of the statue)” & “Crown Access (in the top or crown of the statue)”. I recommend just choosing one of these which cost about the same amount as the ferry ticket over.

The best views of the statue are fro the ferry and the grounds below the pedestal (which do not cost to access). There are free ranger tours on the island and a museum to check out.

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84. Pipe Spring National Monument, Arizona

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 40 acres

Overall Score: 26/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: ⅗

About This US National Monument

Steeped in Kaibab Paiute and the Mormon settler frontier history, Pipe Spring National Monument tells the story of western frontier life for those who inhabited the area.

The monument also offers a short hiking trail, guided or self-guided tours of the historic structures, and a visitor center where you can learn more about the history of the place.

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85. Aztec Ruins National Monument

Location: New Mexico, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 318 acres

Overall Score: 26/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Aztec Ruins National Monument preserves extensive Pueblo ruins dating back nearly 1000 years. The ruins were initially misattributed to the Aztecs by American settlers, but the name has stuck.

Visitors here can explore the ruins through a self-guided trail, learn about the history of the area at the visitor center, and visit the heritage garden and native plants walk where they can see the plants native people have cultivated in the area for thousands of years.

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86. Fort Union National Monument

Location: New Mexico, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 721 acres

Overall Score: 26/50

• Scenery: 7/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Fort Union served as a frontier outpost for the U.S. Cavalry from 1851 to 1891. The fort is striking for its adobe style and exposure to the elements. It’s quite easy for visitors here to be transported to the frontier of the old west given their surroundings.

The fort served as a staging ground for many cruel attacks on neighboring Native Americans as well as a refuge for settlers and soldiers. On a trip to the fort today visitors can learn about the areas rich and sad past.

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87. George Washington Carver National Monument

Location: Missouri, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 240 acres

Overall Score: 26/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

The first national monument dedicated to an African-American, George Washington Carver National Monument tells the story of the intrepid inventor, scientist, environmentalist, and civil rights leader, George Washington Carver.

Visitors to the monument can tour Carver’s home and property and learn about his incredible story.

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88. Castle Mountains National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 20,920 acres

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

This monument protects a swath of the Castle Mountains in southeastern California near the Nevada border. The monument is very remote and is only accessible via unpaved 4WD high clearance roads.

Once in the monument it’s a do-it-yourself experience with no facilities apart from two campgrounds and a group campground.

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89. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument

Location: US Minor Outlying Islands, Hawaii, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: FWS, NOAA
Size: 372,848,597 acres (that’s right)

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 11/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 1/10
• Amenities: 1/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: ⅗

About This US National Monument

Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is the largest protected area on planet earth, let that soak in for a moment. How about some more superlatives?

At over 372 MILLION acres, this monument is nearly as large as the entire Gulf of Mexico. It is larger than the Great Barrier Reef, larger than the states of California and Texas combined, larger than the country of France, and larger than all of America’s national parks put together. 7,000 species are supported by the monument including a large number of endemic and endangered species.

On top of that, it consists of some spectacularly beautiful land area in Hawaii and the US Minor Outlying Islands and is home to the famous Midway Atoll.

While accessing the monument is quite difficult, it’s importance to the planet cannot be underestimated.

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90. Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument

Location: Kentucky, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 525 acres

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 4/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 8/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Originally a supply depot and hospital during the beginning of the Civil War, Camp Nelson turned into the largest recruitment and training post for African American soldiers in the civil war. Thousands of newly freed slaves volunteered to fight for the Union here and served bravely in the Civil War.

Visitors to the monument can explore the fort’s historic buildings and sites and hike various trails throughout the area reading about the history of the place along the way.

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91. Capulin Volcano National Monument

Location: New Mexico, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 793 acres
Established: August 9, 1916

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 0/5

About This US National Monument

Having been here I can say that though the monument is relatively small and very remote, if you’re in the general area it’s well worth the visit. Visitors can walk a paved path leading to the top of the (extinct) volcano and even venture down into the caldera.

From the rim of the volcano you’ll be treated to sweeping views of the surrounding area.

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92. Casa Grande Ruins National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 472.5 acres
Established: August 3, 1918

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 3/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 8/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

This unique national monument preserves a collection of Hohokam ruins dating back to around 1150. Visitors can tour the ruins and the surrounding area as well as stop in the visitor center and learn about the history of the area.

Of note, the structure protecting the ruins was designed by Frederick Law Olmstead Jr. and has preserved the ruins so well that they appear no different today than they did in 1940.

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93. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument

Location: Florida, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 20 acres
Established: October 15, 1966

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 7/15
• Recreation: 1/10
• Accessibility: 9/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 2/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Castillo de San Marcos National Monument preserves an incredible 17th century structure that is the oldest existing masonry fort in the continental US.

The fort itself has a dark history (especially under US control) having been used by the United States to imprison Native Americans including Chief Osceola and Geronimo.

Touring Castillo de San Marcos is a lot of fun and a great activity for families visiting the St. Augustine area.

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94. Fort Matanzas National Monument

Location: Florida, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 228 acres
Established: October 15, 1966

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 7/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 7/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Fort Matanzas is an approximately 300 acre park that preserves an 18th century watchtower, coastal wetlands, marsh lands, maritime forest, and more.

The fort itself is really cool to visit, having been built by the Spanish in 1742. With it’s location right near St. Augustine, this is a great addition to a trip in the area. Great for kids as well!

The focal point of the park is the 18th century Coquina Watchtower. Touring this amazing piece of history is something you have to do if you visit the park

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95. Fort Monroe National Monument

Location: Virginia, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 525 acres
Established: November 1, 2011

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 4/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 8/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Fort Monroe National Monument is home to the site of the arrival of the first Africans to English-occupied North America in 1619. This arrival of “20 and odd” Africans turned out to be a pivotal moment in American history.

The fort has a long and illustrious history including being the site of a segregated hospital during the Civil War where Harriet Tubman served as a nurse for several months. The site has also played host to more than 14 U.S. Presidents at various points throughout history.

Visitors here can walk the grounds and learn about the fort’s historically significant past.

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96. Hanford Reach National Monument

Location: Washington, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: FWS, DOE
Size: 194, 450 acres
Established: June 8, 2000

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 6/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 0/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 0/5

About This US National Monument

Created around the former Manhattan Project site (The Hanford Site) turned nuclear superfund clean up project (thank you, Jimmy Carter), Hanford Reach today is a beautiful and sprawling national monument.

During its nuclear days, plutonium from the Hanford site was used in “Fat Man”, the atomic bomb that was dropped on Nagasaki by orders of President Truman on August 9, 1945.

Today Hanford Reach National Monument has a host of recreational activities including trophy mule deer hunting (and elk), boating, fishing (in the Columbia River), hiking, epic wildlife viewing, birding, and more.

The monument is also home to the Pacific Rattlesnake so be careful when walking through or near tall grasses.

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97. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument

Location: Montana, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 765.34 acres
Established: March 22, 1946

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Originally protected in 1879 as a National Cemetery and then re-designated as a National Monument in 1946, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument preserves the site of Custer’s Last Stand, as it’s known, and the site of a major battle in the American Indian Wars.

The monument is the last resting place of many of those involved in the battle, which was a fleeting, but overwhelming victory for the native tribes.

The battle took place between Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer’s 7th Cavalry Regiment of the U.S. Army and the combined forces of the Lakota, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho. Custer, a stand-out cavalry officer in the Civil War who later was responsible for the massacre of peaceful Native Americans, was known to be eccentric and prone to rash decision-making which proved fatal for him and much of his regiment in the Battle of Little Bighorn.

Located in the idyllic rolling hills and plains of southeastern Montana, Little Bighorn is worth a visit if you’re passing by that way and/or have an interest in this important chapter in American history.

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98. Governors Island National Monument

Location: New York, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 22 acres
Established: January 19, 2001

Overall Score: 24/50

• Scenery: 7/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 8/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Located off an island just a short ferry ride from the southern tip of Manhattan, Governor’s Island National Monument is a breath of fresh air in the dense concrete jungle of America’s largest city.

Originally (at least by Americans) used as an important defense outpost of New York City then eventually a Coast Guard base, a national monument was created 2 days before President Clinton’s term was set to expire in January of 2001.

Today the sprawling grounds and remains of the base is a bustling tourist attraction (at least in the summer) and serves as a great spot to get epic views of New York City and enjoy some leisure time. The massive barracks complex remains with rental pedal vehicles to tour the paved hiking trails, a host of food trucks, beverage stands, and more.

It seems the full potential of this site is yet to be tapped with endless possibilities for future enhancements.

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99. Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

Location: Kentucky, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 1,459 acres
Established: 2019

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Mills Springs Battlefield was the site of the first significant Union victory early in the Civil War. Early on in the war the Union suffered a series of defeats and stalemates, particularly in the floundering eastern theater of the war.

It was in the west, where General Ulysses Grant and many others would win significant battles and rescue the Union from incompetent military leadership.

The monument has a visitor center where you can see various artifacts from the battle and learn about what transpired all around you in January of 1862. The monument also has a great driving tour where visitors can learn about the battle as they drive though the monument viewing various sites and historic structures.

There are a number of nice hiking trails and historical structures to check out as well.

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100. Prehistoric Trackways National Monument

Location: New Mexico, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 5,255 acres
Established: March 30, 2009

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 4/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Prehistoric Trackways National Monument protects a significant deposit of Paleozoic Era fossilized footprints from various prehistoric land and sea animals. The monument also provides areas for hiking, horseback riding, and OHV riding among its more than 5,000 acres.

Currently the monument offers no designated fossil viewing sites in order to protect them. That said you might still find some on a hike and you can always view some at the New Mexico Museum of Natural History and Science if you’re determined to.

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Top 100 National Monuments in America

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101. Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument

Location: US Minor Outlying Islands
Best Resources:
Managed By: FWS
Size: 313,818,892 acres (yep, you read that right)
Established: January 6, 2009

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 12/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 1/10
• Amenities: 1/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument is the second largest protected area on the planet at over 313 million acres! That is massive. How massive, you ask?

If Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument were its own country it would be the 36th largest – larger than countries like Turkey, France, & Spain. This national monument is larger than the Great Barrier Reef, larger than the states of California and Texas combined, and larger than all of America’s national parks put together.

Unlike Marianas Trench which is entirely underwater, Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument has seven islands/areas within its boundaries: Baker Island, Howland Island, Jarvis Island, Johnston Atoll, Kingman Reef, Palmyra Atoll, Wake Atoll

This massive monument, while nearly impossible to access for the average Jane or Joe like myself, is an incredibly important in protecting the area’s wildlife, fisheries, and corals which are vital to the earth’s heath and greatly at risk from climate change factors.

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102. Waco Mammoth National Monument

Location: Texas, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 107 acres
Established: July 10, 2015

Overall Score: 22/50

• Scenery: 2/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

As the site where the fossils of 24 Columbian Mammoths were discovered, Waco Mammoth National Monument is one of the most significant paleontological sites in the United States.

Today folks can view these impressive fossil specimens and imagine what life might have been like back in the Pleistocene epoch (65,000 – 75,000 years ago).

The National Park Service has done an excellent job of preserving the Waco Mammoth site and creating a great visitor experience. Visitors can walk across a suspended walkway indoors over the top of the exposed archeological site (seems perfect for a class field trip), take ranger tours, and read the helpful interpretive signs within the monument.

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103. Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument

Location: Texas, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 1,371 acres
Established: August 31, 1965

Overall Score: 24/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 5/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 2/5

About This US National Monument

Alibates Flint Quarry National Monument preserves an ancient quarry where native peoples have been gathering flint for thousands of years. The particular kind of flint found here was used for spear points in hunting mammoths during the last Ice Age.

Visitors here can tour the quarries and learn about the history of the area at the visitor center.

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104. Yucca House National Monument

Location: Colorado, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 33.87 acres
Established: December 19, 1919

Overall Score: 25/50

• Scenery: 7/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 4/10
• Amenities: 1/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Yucca House is a small, seldom-visited national monument south of Cortez, Colorado and just west of Mesa Verde National Park. The monument preserves the site of significant unexcavated ancestral puebloan ruins.

Visitors to the monument will encounter no people and almost no signs of National Park Service management at all. There are no trails, maps, signs, or facilities of any kind and many would-be visitors to the monument have encountered difficulty reaching the monument due to the rough roads and lack of directional signs.

We rank the monument pretty low due to there being no discernible government agency presence at all and no developed recreational or interpretive opportunities. The monument is due to be expanded soon which could add more visitor opportunities in the coming years.

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105. African Burial Ground National Monument

Location: New York, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: .35 acres
Established: January 10, 2015

Overall Score: 24/50

• Scenery: 3/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 10/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 1/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Clocking in at one of the smallest US National Monuments, African Burial Ground is an often overlooked site located in New York City. I must admit that I, myself, have passed by this monument many times before I even realized it was there.

While it may be small in size, and easy to miss from the street, the monument recognizes a somber an important part of American history.

According to the National Park Service, “African Burial Ground is the oldest and largest known excavated burial ground in North America for both free and enslaved Africans. It protects the historic role slavery played in building New York.”

The burial ground was discovered during a routine survey for a new federal office tower at 290 Broadway. The magnitude of what was finded was staggering. 30 feet below the street level, intact skeletal remains of over 15,000 free and enslaved Africans. These were people who had an outsized influence on the construction of New York and are finally beginning to receive recognition for their efforts.

The monument consists of an indoor section featuring a visitor center and museum as well as a beautiful outdoor memorial.

The reason the monument ranks so low on our list has nothing to do with its cultural significance for which it received full marks on our rating scale, but rather the overall scenery and (lack of) recreational opportunities.

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106. Basin and Range National Monument

Location: Nevada, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 704,000 acres
Established: January 10, 2015

Overall Score: 24/50

• Scenery: 10/15
• Recreation: 5/10
• Accessibility: 3/10
• Amenities: 0/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

This one is a beauty and sees almost no visitors despite it being located in the continental U.S. Okay, it is in a very remote area of Nevada where there are probably more UFO sightings than people, but still this is a beautiful and vast national monument worthy of your consideration for a trip.

Basin and Range redefines the word solitude and offers the ability for well-prepared adventure seekers to truly get away from it all amidst the vastness of Nevada’s rugged and mountainous high desert. There are absolutely no services or amenities of any kind in or near the monument so it’s imperative that you plan accordingly if you plan on visiting.

Inside the monument are a few tracts of private land, one of which contains the artist Michael Heizer’s ongoing magnum opus City, a nearly 3 square mile dystopian art installation begun in 1972 and still underway.

Visitors should be aware that there are a number of anti-federal lands insurgents in the area that enjoy defacing the monument from time to time.

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107. Rainbow Bridge National Monument

Location: Utah, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 160 acres
Established: May 30, 1910

Overall Score: 23/50

• Scenery: 10/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 2/10
• Amenities: 1/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

At 290 feet tall, 275 feet wide, and a thickness of 42 feet at the top, Rainbow Bridge is one of the largest natural bridges in the world. That’s pretty cool!

Beyond that, the arch itself is breathtakingly beautiful and absolutely massive in person located in the Lake Powell region of Utah.

So you’re probably asking yourself why a monolith like this has such a low ranking? Access.

Getting to the monument is actually easy… if you have a boat in Lake Powell. If this is the case you can pull your boat right up to the trailhead and hike an easy mile to get there.

Otherwise, and for most of us, getting there involves an arduous multi-day hike through the desert after obtaining a permit from the good folks at the Navajo Nation.

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108. Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument

Location: Alabama, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 18.25 acres
Established: January 12, 2017

Overall Score: 24/50

• Scenery: 3/15
• Recreation: 1/10
• Accessibility: 10/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 2/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

The Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument is a unique monument encompassing several buildings and areas in Birmingham that played central roles in the American Civil Rights Movement. Here visitors can learn about the painful past associated with the civil rights movement and the inspiring struggle of a people to overcome injustice.

While the Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument seems more befitting of a National Historic Site or National Historical Park designation, the story behind the monument’s creation can help one to understand its odd designation.

President Obama used his powers under the Antiquities Act to create the monument (which is the only designation a President can make under the Antiquities Act) in order to protect the area’s historic properties and foster the development of learning opportunities for the public about the area’s historical significance. President Obama took this action after legislation to incorporate the area into the National Park Service stalled in Congress.

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109. Pullman National Monument

Location: Illinois, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: .4 acres
Established: September 4, 2021

Overall Score: 24/50

• Scenery: 3/15
• Recreation: 1/10
• Accessibility: 10/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 2/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

This Chicago National Monument was the first planned industrial community in the United States, designed to build the famous Pullman sleeping cars for trains. Pullman is also the site of the infamous Pullman strike which changed the labor landscape in the United States.

The monument is also important as the Pullman Company was once the largest employer of African-Americans in the US as sleeping car porters who eventually unionized. The Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters became the first African-American union in the United States in 1925.

Today visitors can visit the beautiful clock tower building which has been converted into a National Park Service visitor center as well as tour some of the surrounding historic buildings.

Plans have not been fully carried out for this new national monument so look for the grounds and visitor experience to improve in the years to come.

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110. President Lincoln and Soldiers’ Home National Monument

Location: Washington D.C., USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 2 acres
Established: July 7, 2000

Overall Score: 24/50

• Scenery: 3/15
• Recreation: 1/10
• Accessibility: 9/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Located on the 3rd highest point in Washington D.C., The President Lincoln and Soldiers’ Home National Monument preserves an interesting and important part of American history. It was here, rather than the White House, that President Lincoln spent the months of July through November from 1862 – 1864 in an effort to escape the Summer heat (both temperature and political).

Lincoln also drafted an early version of his all-important Emancipation Proclamation in the Soldiers’ Home.

Prior to be declared a national monument in 2000, the house had fallen into a state of disrepair requiring extensive renovations before reopening to the public.

What to do here: Today, visitors can tour the house and the grounds of this 2.3 acre national monument. In our estimation this is a monument one on the list that could benefit from a redesignation to National Historic Site or National Historical Park.

Nonetheless it is a very interesting and great destination if you’ve got some extra time on your next trip to the capitol city.

Getting here: The monument is a 15 minute drive north of the US Capitol Building.

If you like this National Monument you might also like:

• 36 EPIC Washington D.C. National Parks

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111. Fort Stanwix National Monument

Location: New York, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 16 acres
Established: August 21, 1935

Overall Score: 24/50

• Scenery: 6/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Fort Stanwix was the site of an important revolutionary war battle in which American forces withstood a siege on the fort and were able to turn back the British forces. The fort also served as an important frontier military and trading hub for the British prior to the revolution.

Fort Stanwix played host to two separate treaties between the British and Iroquois as well as the Americans and the Iroquois. As you might have guessed, both treaties were fraught with deception on behalf of the colonists and led to terrible outcomes for the Native Americans affected by them.

The fort that visitors can tour today is a reconstruction of the original built in 1974 thanks to some political strong-arming by then New York Senator Robert F. Kennedy in the late 1960’s.

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112. California Coastal National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: BLM
Size: 2,272 acres
Established: January 11, 2000

Overall Score: 18/50

• Scenery: 8/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 2/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

Here’s an interesting one. This national monument protects all of the islets, reefs, and rock outcroppings extending 12 nautical miles from the shore along the entire California coast. You’re probably thinking, “well that’s wonderful that they protected all of that coastal stuff, of course it’s nothing I can ever actually set foot on and explore”.

And while that statement is fairly spot on, there are actually a few portions of this monument that you can access and enjoy like Pigeon Point Lighthouse, Lost Coast Headlands, the Point Arena-Stornetta unit, and a few other areas.

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113. Freedom Riders National Monument

Location: Alabama, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 6 acres
Established: January 12, 2017

Overall Score: 23/50

• Scenery: 1/15
• Recreation: 1/10
• Accessibility: 10/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

The Freedom Riders is one of the more culturally significant sites in this ranked list of national monuments as the former site of a Greyhound bus station in Anniston, Alabama.

While the site itself is not very large and not one of the more impressive looking monuments in terms of scenery from the outside, it preserves an important chapter of American history.

Per the National Park Service, at this greyhound station in 1961, “a small interracial band of “Freedom Riders” challenged discriminatory laws requiring separation of the races in interstate travel. They were attacked by white segregationists, who firebombed the bus.”

Inside the station visitors can see images of the day and the time along with other interpretive materials.

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114. Castle Clinton National Monument

Location: New York, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 1 acre
Established: August 12, 1946

Overall Score: 22/50

• Scenery: 2/15
• Recreation: 1/10
• Accessibility: 10/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 2/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

What it lacks in size it attempts to make up for in New York City skyline and history. Originally built as a bastion against British invasion in 1811 at the tip of Manhattan’s Battery Point, the fortress has also served as an entertainment venue, America’s first immigration station (predating even Ellis Island), a popular aquarium, and at present a US National Monument.

As a national monument located in New York City, Castle Clinton is one of the more accessible monuments and receives a huge amount of visitors each year. If you happen to be in lower Manhattan it’s worth a stop!

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115. Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument

Location: Ohio, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 60 acres
Established: March 25, 2013

Overall Score: 22/50

• Scenery: 1/15
• Recreation: 1/10
• Accessibility: 9/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Named for the first African American to achieve the rank of colonel in the US Army and the first national park superintendent of Sequoia & General Grant National Parks, the Charles Young National Monument celebrates the incredible life of this seminal American.

The grounds include the home of Charles Young located in Wilberforce where he was a university professor.

Today visitors can tour the home and learn about the story of this escaped slave turned Buffalo soldier and now celebrated American. In order to tour the house visitors must first make an appointment.

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116. Stonewall National Monument

Location: New York, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 7.7 acres
Established: June 24, 2016

Overall Score: 21/50

• Scenery: 2/15
• Recreation: 1/10
• Accessibility: 10/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 1/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Located in the popular West Village neighborhood on Manhattan in New York City, Stonewall National Monument celebrates the gay liberation and the LGBT rights movements. The national monument is situated on Christopher Street and includes a gay bar, the Stonewall Inn & Christopher Park.

It was here in 1969 that the Stonewall riots took place which are considered a seminal event in the battle for LGBT rights in America.

The monument is an untraditional one in that the Stonewall Inn bar is still privately owned and managed. Visitors can still have a drink there today!

While the LGBT flag now flies over Christopher Park (the first ever officially maintained by the federal government) and several contemporary statues have been erected in Christopher Park, one very out of place statue remains.

The statue in question would be the most imposing in the park, that of civil war general Phillip Sheridan who won fame for his command of the cavalry in the Civil War and disgrace for his treatment of Native Americans in the west afterward.

Why this statue remains in the park today is a mystery to us. Regardless, this national monument is a great stop on your next trip to New York City.

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117. Tule Lake National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By:
Size: 1,391 acres
Established: December 5, 2008

Overall Score: 21/50

• Scenery: 2/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 6/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 3/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Tule Lake National Monument in California remembers a dark chapter of American history during which Japanese Americans were forcibly removed from their homes and relocated to concentration camps during World War II. One of those such camps was Tule Lake located in Tule Lake, California.

Today, visitors can tour the camp which was the largest of its kind back in the 1940s. The grounds include several of the structures that were used to incarcerate Japanese citizens along with the original CCC quarters which were used as the basis for the camp’s more sinister purposes.

Tule Lake was also used as a prisoner of war camp during WWII housing nearly 1000 prisoners.

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118. Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument

Location: Washington D.C.
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: .89 acres
Established: June 16, 1972

Overall Score: 21/50

• Scenery: 1/15
• Recreation: 1/10
• Accessibility: 10/10
• Amenities: 2/5
• Crowds: 2/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Located smack dab in the middle of Washington D.C., Belmont Paul National Monument celebrates the women’s suffrage and equal rights movements. The monument is not what you might think of in terms of grand natural landscapes like Devils Tower in Wyoming or Dinosaur in Colorado and is actually less than an acre in size.

Belmont Paul is one of the monuments on this list that perhaps seems to be mis-designated, a National Historical Site seems to be more appropriate, but alas.

If you’re interested in touring the grounds, they consist of a house and museum in the Capitol Hill neighborhood which once served as the former National Woman’s Party Headquarters.

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10 Worst National Monuments in America

And while we love our national monuments, some are categorically worse than others…

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119. Buck Island Reef National Monument

Location: US Virgin Islands
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 19,015 acres
Established: December 28, 1961

Overall Score: 19/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 3/10
• Accessibility: 1/10
• Amenities: 1/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 0/5

About This US National Monument

Buck island Reef National Monument exists almost entirely underwater and as such is somewhat tricky to access. Despite being surrounded by beautiful Virgin Island scenery this monument ranks lower on the list as there’s not much here for the average outdoor enthusiast.

Nevertheless, this is a great monument, vital to protecting the coral reefs and important marine ecosystem of the Virgin Islands.

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120. Cape Krusenstern National Monument

Location: Alaska, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 649,096 acres
Established: December 1, 1978

Overall Score: 19/50

• Scenery: 9/15
• Recreation: 1/10
• Accessibility: 1/10
• Amenities: 0/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 3/5

About This US National Monument

Thanks to Jimmy Carter the incredible and absolutely massive Cape Krusenstern National Monument exists to preserve this important area located north of the arctic circle.

However, getting to this monument, like most of the Alaska monuments, remains incredibly difficult (not necessarily a bad thing) which hurts its ranking on this list but not in our hearts. If you make it out to this one and feel like we’ve done it an injustice, let us know.

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121. Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument

Location: Mississippi, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: .7 acres
Established: December 10, 2020

Overall Score: 15/50

• Scenery: 1/15
• Recreation: 1/10
• Accessibility: 1/10
• Amenities: 3/5
• Crowds: 4/5
• Cultural Significance: 5/5

About This US National Monument

Located in Jackson Mississippi, The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument consists of the home of African-American civil rights activist Medgar Evers during the time of his assassination in 1963. His murder served as an important impetus for the passage of the landmark Civil Rights Act of 1964.

Civil Rights was the cause of primary work of both Everses and the house was used as an extension of their work, even being selected because of security features inherit to the design of the house like the carport where Evers was eventually murdered.

Visiting the Monument: The National Park Service is currently working on plans to develop the site and at present there are no visitor services available.

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122. Rose Atoll Marine National Monument

Location: American Samoa
Best Resources:
Managed By: FWS, NOAA
Size: 8,609,045 acres
Established: January 6, 2009

Overall Score: 15/50

• Scenery: 10/15
• Recreation: 0/10
• Accessibility: 0/10
• Amenities: 0/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 0/5

About This US National Monument

At over 8 million protected acres, the Rose Atoll Marine National Monument is one of the more spectacularly beautiful, massive, and wildly remote monuments in the system existing almost entirely underwater. Unlike a couple of the other marine monuments it does include some above water land mass making it more accessible (by definition).

The reefs at Rose Atoll are marvelous, consisting of an incredible amount of biodiversity and vital habitat for several seafaring bird species.

In reality, most of us will be resigned to view this one from our computers thousands of miles away via the few photos of it we can find online.

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123. Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument

Location: California, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: USFS
Size: 353 acres
Established: March 12, 2019

Overall Score: 15/50

• Scenery: 3/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 3/10
• Amenities: 1/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

Created to memorialize a catastrophic California dam failure in 1928 that resulted in the deaths of at least 431 people, this one has my head scratching as much as it does yours.

While it’s nice to have some sort of memorial for this tragic event, it doesn’t seem that the National Monument designation is the right one for this.

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124. Hohokam Pima National Monument

Location: Arizona, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: NPS
Size: 1,690 acres
Established: October 21, 1972

Overall Score: 15/50

• Scenery: 3/15
• Recreation: 2/10
• Accessibility: 0/10
• Amenities: 1/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 4/5

About This US National Monument

Hohokam Pima National Monument preserves what’s left of an ancient Hohokam Village which is significant to the Gila River Indian Nation who manages and controls access to this site.

The site doesn’t have much to see to the naked, untrained eye. Even if it did, the Gila River Indian Nation has decided not to open this national monument to the public. This is at least somewhat in part because of the sensitive nature of this site.

In our estimation a National Monument designation doesn’t seem quite right for an area that is not accessible by the general public. Perhaps a National Historic Site or landmark would be better suited for this site.

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125. Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument

Location: Virgin Islands, USA
Best Resources: Map / Guidebook
Managed By: NPS
Size: 12,708 acres
Established: January 17, 2001

Overall Score: 12/50

• Scenery: 5/15
• Recreation: 0/10
• Accessibility: 2/10
• Amenities: 0/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 0/5

About This US National Monument

Virgin Islands National Monument, you’re thinking how could it be so low, am I right? Well, despite being located in one of the most beautiful areas on the planet, this national monument is not all that accessible and mostly underwater. The above water parts are not easy to reach and somewhat desolate albeit with beautiful scenery.

On top of that, the corals that the monument aims to protect have sadly experienced tremendous amounts of bleaching (as have corals worldwide) making for a lesser diving/snorkeling experience.

If you like this National Monument you might also like:

12 AMAZING Things to Do Virgin Islands National Park

VIRGIN ISLANDS National Park (Expert Guide + Photos)

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126. Marianas Trench Marine National Monument

Location: Guam, Mariana Islands, USA
Best Resources:
Managed By: USFWS & NOAA
Size: 95,216 square miles
Established: January 6, 2009

Overall Score: 10/50

• Scenery: 4/15
• Recreation: 0/10
• Accessibility: 0/10
• Amenities: 0/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

The Marianas Trench is the deepest place on earth (reaching depths of some 36,000 feet) and some have said we know more about outer space than we do about this deepest part of our own world. The monument protects over 95,000 square miles, that’s right miles, of some of the most unique underwater wonders in the world.

All that being said, unless you’re a ridiculously wealthy sci-fi filmmaker, none of us can visit this national monument. Perhaps in this age of billionaire fake astronauts and so-called “space tourism” a few more of the world’s wealthiest will be able to outfit extravagant expeditions into the unknown deep and tell us all about it.

For the foreseeable future, it’s safe to say the closest you’ll get to this national monument is a Google image search.

A little disclaimer here: At More than Just Parks we’re proud that our government saw fit to protect this irreplaceable underwater ecosystem and fully support the protection of areas like it, and if a monument designation is the only way to achieve that protection then by all means do it! But it seems this one would be better suited as a national wildlife refuge.

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127. Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument

Location: Atlantic Ocean, USA
Best Resources: Guide
Managed By: USFWS, DOI, NOAA, DOC
Size: 3,144,320 acres
Established: September 15, 2016

Overall Score: 9/50

• Scenery: 3/15
• Recreation: 0/10
• Accessibility: 0/10
• Amenities: 0/5
• Crowds: 5/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument is a massive and important national monument that ranks low on this list for obvious reasons.

While it protects an incredibly vital marine ecosystem, and we’re glad it exists it’s not one we’re telling folks to go out and visit. In fact, quite the contrary. The less humans out there the better!

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128. Military Working Dog Teams National Monument

Location: Texas, USA
Best Resources: N/A
Managed By: Department of Defense
Size: .08 acres (3,500 sq ft approximately)

Overall Score: 6/50

• Scenery: 0/15
• Recreation: 0/10
• Accessibility: 3/10
• Amenities: 0/5
• Crowds: 2/5
• Cultural Significance: 1/5

About This US National Monument

And now the moment we’ve all been waiting for… drumroll please!

Here’s the deal. At More Than Just Parks we respect and appreciate the incredible sacrifice our brave women, men, and K-9s make in the line of duty protecting all of the great things America stands for (like national monuments).

Now, the absolute worst National Monument in America is undoubtedly the Military Working Dog Teams National Monument located in San Antonio, Texas.

With that being said, here are a few of the myriad reasons this “national monument” is the worst in America (and should not even be classified as a national monument).

For starters the “national monument” is little more than a statue. While the best monuments are measured in hundreds if not thousands of square miles, the official description for Military Working Dog Teams lists a granite plaza encompassing a mere 3,000 square feet. In fact, this national monument appears to be smaller than some of the aircraft located on the base.

Now you’re probably wondering, what base? More on that to come.

This of course begs the question how did this ever receive National Monument status alongside the likes of Devils Tower and Mount St. Helens in the first place? I’m glad you asked.

Buried deep, and we’re talking DEEP (like 810 of 867 pages deep), within the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008, between “Repeal of moratorium on improvements at Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico” and “Report required prior to removal of missiles from 564th Missile Squadron” is the language authorizing the monument.

Accessing Military Working Dog Teams National Monument

Beyond that, you’d at least think that access to a national monument located in a major city such as San Antonio would be relatively easy, right? Wrong.

Getting to Military Working Dog Teams National Monument is actually quite challenging (almost as challenging as saying it three times fast) as the grounds are located on a secure US Air Force Installation. To access the monument, visitors must first apply for a base pass at the Lackland Air Force Base Control Center. Visitors should be aware that this process requires that visitors pass a security vetting procedure, just how long this takes is not made clear.

If a visitor is able to successfully obtain a base pass AND clear the security vetting process they will be given a whole 4 hours to access the monument (which I must say is more than sufficient) before their access is revoked.

While we feel it’s great to welcome inclusive and diverse national monuments of all shapes and sizes, and deeply appreciate the sentiment of the statue, this one just seems to be woefully misdesignated.

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Do You Agree With Our Best US National Monuments?

Okay we’re sure you’ll have your own opinions, we want to hear them! Where do you think the monuments stack up with one another?

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Map of ALL 128 US National Monuments

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Complete List of US National Monuments Ranked

1. Mount St. Helens Volcanic National Monument, Washington
2. Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado, Utah
3. Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, Utah
4. Giant Sequoia National Monument, California
5. Río Grande del Norte National Monument, New Mexico
6. Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Arizona
7. Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks National Monument, New Mexico
8. Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument, Oregon, California
9. Colorado National Monument, Colorado
10. Newberry Volcanic National Monument, Oregon
11. Bears Ears National Monument, Utah
12. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona
13. Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, California
14. Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona
15. Browns Canyon National Monument, Colorado
16. Sand to Snow National Monument, California
17. Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico
18. Admiralty Island National Monument, Alaska
19. Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, California
20. Misty Fjords National Monument, Alaska
21. Mojave Trails National Monument, California
22. Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
23. San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, California
24. Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, Montana
25. Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona
26. Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona
27. Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
28. Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
29. Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona
30. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, New Mexico
31. Muir Woods National Monument, California
32. Agua Fria National Monument, Arizona
33. Gold Butte National Monument, Nevada
34. Navajo National Monument, Arizona
35. El Malpais National Monument, New Mexico
36. Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah
37. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado
38. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, New Mexico
39. Hovenweep National Monument, Colorado, Utah
40. Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota
41. Tonto National Monument, Arizona
42. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
43. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Colorado
44. El Morro National Monument, New Mexico
45. Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho
46. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine
47. Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa
48. Petroglyph National Monument, New Mexico
49. Carrizo Plain National Monument, California
50. Poverty Point National Monument, Louisiana
51. Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska
52. Fort Ord National Monument, California
53. Montezuma Castle National Monument, Arizona
54. Oregon Caves National Monument, Oregon
55. San Juan Islands National Monument, Washington
56. Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota
57. Russell Cave National Monument, Alabama
58. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Arizona
59. Tuzigoot National Monument, Arizona
60. Wupatki National Monument, Arizona
61. Chimney Rock National Monument, Colorado
62. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon
63. Aniakchak National Monument, Alaska
64. Cabrillo National Monument, California
65. Fort Pulaski National Monument, Georgia
66. Fossil Butte National Monument, Wyoming
67. Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota
68. Devils Postpile National Monument, California
69. Lava Beds National Monument, California
70. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Idaho
71. Jurassic National Monument, Utah
72. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, Nevada
73. Pompeys Pillar National Monument, Montana
74. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska
75. Aleutian Islands World War II National Monument, Alaska
76. César E. Chávez National Monument, California
77. Fort McHenry National Monument, Maryland
78. Fort Frederica National Monument, Georgia
79. Booker T. Washington National Monument, Virginia
80. George Washington Birthplace National Monument, Virginia
81. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, New Mexico
82. Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Utah
83. Statue of Liberty National Monument, New Jersey, New York
84. Pipe Spring National Monument, Arizona
85. Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico
86. Fort Union National Monument, New Mexico
87. George Washington Carver National Monument, Missouri
88. Castle Mountains National Monument, California
89. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawaii, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
90. Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument, Kentucky
91. Capulin Volcano National Monument, New Mexico
92. Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Arizona
93. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Florida
94. Fort Matanzas National Monument, Florida
95. Fort Monroe National Monument, Virginia
96. Hanford Reach National Monument, Washington
97. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana
98. Governors Island National Monument, New York
99. Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Kentucky
100. Prehistoric Trackways National Monument, New Mexico
101. Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, US Minor Outlying Islands
102. Waco Mammoth National Monument, Texas
103. Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, Texas
104. Yucca House National Monument, Colorado
105. African Burial Ground National Monument, New York
106. Basin and Range National Monument, Nevada
107. Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Utah
108. Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, Alabama
109. Pullman National Monument, Illinois
110. President Lincoln and Soldiers’ Home National Monument, District of Columbia
111. Fort Stanwix National Monument, New York
112. California Coastal National Monument, California
113. Freedom Riders National Monument, Alabama
114. Castle Clinton National Monument, New York
115. Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Ohio
116. Stonewall National Monument, New York
117. Tule Lake National Monument, California
118. Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, District of Columbia
119. Buck Island Reef National Monument, US Virgin Islands
120. Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Alaska
121. Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, Mississippi
122. Rose Atoll Marine National Monument, American Samoa
123. Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument, California
124. Hohokam Pima National Monument, Arizona
125. Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, US Virgin Islands
126. Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands
127. Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, Atlantic Ocean
128. Military Working Dog Teams National Monument, Texas

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Complete List of US National Monuments Alphabetical

1. Admiralty Island National Monument, Alaska
2. African Burial Ground National Monument, New York
3. Agate Fossil Beds National Monument, Nebraska
4. Agua Fria National Monument, Arizona
5. Aleutian Islands World War II National Monument, Alaska
6. Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument, Texas
7. Aniakchak National Monument, Alaska
8. Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico
9. Bandelier National Monument, New Mexico
10. Basin and Range National Monument, Nevada
11. Bears Ears National Monument, Utah
12. Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality National Monument, District of Columbia
13. Berryessa Snow Mountain National Monument, California
14. Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument, Alabama
15. Booker T. Washington National Monument, Virginia
16. Browns Canyon National Monument, Colorado
17. Buck Island Reef National Monument, US Virgin Islands
18. Cabrillo National Monument, California
19. California Coastal National Monument, California
20. Camp Hale-Continental Divide National Monument
21. Camp Nelson Heritage National Monument, Kentucky
22. Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona
23. Canyons of the Ancients National Monument, Colorado
24. Cape Krusenstern National Monument, Alaska
25. Capulin Volcano National Monument, New Mexico
26. Carrizo Plain National Monument, California
27. Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Arizona
28. Cascade–Siskiyou National Monument, California, Oregon
29. Castillo de San Marcos National Monument, Florida
30. Castle Clinton National Monument, New York
31. Castle Mountains National Monument, California
32. Cedar Breaks National Monument, Utah
33. César E. Chávez National Monument, California
34. Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument, Ohio
35. Chimney Rock National Monument, Colorado
36. Chiricahua National Monument, Arizona
37. Colorado National Monument, Colorado
38. Craters of the Moon National Monument, Idaho
39. Devils Postpile National Monument, California
40. Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
41. Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado, Utah
42. Effigy Mounds National Monument, Iowa
43. El Malpais National Monument, New Mexico
44. El Morro National Monument, New Mexico
45. Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument, Colorado
46. Fort Frederica National Monument, Georgia
47. Fort Matanzas National Monument, Florida
48. Fort McHenry National Monument, Maryland
49. Fort Monroe National Monument, Virginia
50. Fort Ord National Monument, California
51. Fort Pulaski National Monument, Georgia
52. Fort Stanwix National Monument, New York
53. Fort Union National Monument, New Mexico
54. Fossil Butte National Monument, Wyoming
55. Freedom Riders National Monument, Alabama
56. George Washington Birthplace National Monument, Virginia
57. George Washington Carver National Monument, Missouri
58. Giant Sequoia National Monument, California
59. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, New Mexico
60. Gold Butte National Monument, Nevada
61. Governors Island National Monument, New York
62. Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument, Arizona
63. Grand Portage National Monument, Minnesota
64. Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, Utah
65. Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, Idaho
66. Hanford Reach National Monument, Washington
67. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument, Maryland
68. Hohokam Pima National Monument, Arizona
69. Hovenweep National Monument, Colorado, Utah
70. Ironwood Forest National Monument, Arizona
71. Jewel Cave National Monument, South Dakota
72. John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, Oregon
73. Jurassic National Monument, Utah
74. Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument, New Mexico
75. Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine
76. Lava Beds National Monument, California
77. Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana
78. Marianas Trench Marine National Monument, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands
79. Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument, Mississippi
80. Military Working Dog Teams National Monument, Texas
81. Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument, Kentucky
82. Misty Fjords National Monument, Alaska
83. Mojave Trails National Monument, California
84. Montezuma Castle National Monument, Arizona
85. Mount St. Helens Volcanic National Monument, Washington
86. Muir Woods National Monument, California
87. Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
88. Navajo National Monument, Arizona
89. Newberry Volcanic National Monument, Oregon
90. Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine National Monument, Atlantic Ocean
91. Oregon Caves National Monument, Oregon
92. Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks National Monument, New Mexico
93. Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument, Arizona
94. Pacific Remote Islands Marine National Monument, US Minor Outlying Islands
95. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawaii, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
96. Petroglyph National Monument, New Mexico
97. Pipe Spring National Monument, Arizona
98. Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota
99. Pompeys Pillar National Monument, Montana
100. Poverty Point National Monument, Louisiana
101. Prehistoric Trackways National Monument, New Mexico
102. President Lincoln and Soldiers’ Home National Monument, District of Columbia
103. Pullman National Monument, Illinois
104. Rainbow Bridge National Monument, Utah
105. Río Grande del Norte National Monument, New Mexico
106. Rose Atoll Marine National Monument, American Samoa
107. Russell Cave National Monument, Alabama
108. Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument, California
109. Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument, New Mexico
110. San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, California
111. San Juan Islands National Monument, Washington
112. Sand to Snow National Monument, California
113. Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains National Monument, California
114. Scotts Bluff National Monument, Nebraska
115. Sonoran Desert National Monument, Arizona
116. Statue of Liberty National Monument, New Jersey, New York
117. Stonewall National Monument, New York
118. Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, Arizona
119. Timpanogos Cave National Monument, Utah
120. Tonto National Monument, Arizona
121. Tule Lake National Monument, California
122. Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument, Nevada
123. Tuzigoot National Monument, Arizona
124. Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument, Montana
125. Vermilion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
126. Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument, US Virgin Islands
127. Waco Mammoth National Monument, Texas
128. Walnut Canyon National Monument, Arizona
129. Wupatki National Monument, Arizona
130. Yucca House National Monument, Colorado

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More Helpful Information on the National Parks

List of National Monuments: Ultimate List of National Monuments (Alphabetical + By State)

Best National Parks Ranked: ALL 63 US NATIONAL PARKS RANKED By Experts

Free Downloadable National Parks Map & List: LIST & MAP of National Parks By State (+ Printable Checklist)

Most Visited National Parks: Top 10 Most Visited US National Parks

Least Visited National Parks: Top 10 Least Visited National Parks

Best East Coast National Parks: Top 10 Best East Coast National Parks Ranked

Utah National Parks Road Trips: 5 Best Utah National Park Road Trips

Best National Park Road Trips: 10 Best National Park Road Trips

Best National Monuments: All 130 US National Monuments Ranked (Best to Worst)