#174: 10 National Monuments That Feel Like National Parks
About this episode
The episode explores ten national monuments that offer experiences similar to national parks without the crowds.
Across our U.S. public lands are more than 130 national monuments, each protecting a unique natural or cultural treasure. In this episode, we’re diving into ten that feel a lot like visiting a national park, but without the crowds. We share a mix of places we’ve visited over the years, and each one surprised us with just how much they have in terms of scenery, hiking, and overall experience. From towering rock formations and remote desert canyons to cultural sites with deep historical meaning, these monuments offer many of the same “wow” moments you expect from a national park. In this episode, we talk about: Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming and why it’s always worth a stop, Grand Staircase–Escalante in Utah and its endless options for adventure, Canyon de Chelly in Arizona and one of our favorite ranger-led tours, Chiricahua National Monument and its maze of rock spires, Natural Bridges National Monument and its out-of-this-world natural beauty, Colorado National Monument as an underrated scenic gem, Bandelier in New Mexico and its fascinating cultural history, Lava Beds in California (yes, caves… again), Rainbow Bridge and its surprisingly powerful setting, and Jewel…
More episodes of Dear Bob and Sue: A National Parks Podcast
- #175: Great Pizza Places Near National Parks
- #173: Pinnacles National Park: Caves, Condors, and the High Peaks
- #172: Exploring Galápagos National Park
- #171: An Epic Road Trip Along California’s Highway 395
- #170: Yosemite’s Curry Village: The Good, The Bad and The Scary
- #169: Our Most Excellent Northern Arizona RV Adventure
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