Venturous. Did you know that today is National Public Lands Day? This is a day to celebrate all of the lands that you have access to, for hiking, camping, hunting, fishing, bird watching, geocaching, and much, much more. These lands are set aside for humans to enjoy, for animals to have a place to go instead of into our cities, to protect culturally and historically significant areas, and to preserve a space of wildness that we seem to forget we need in the hustle and bustle of our daily lives. This is also a day to get out on some of our land and do some good, from picking up trash to helping a trail crew, to planting a few trees. Public lands include parks in all shapes and sizes, from small city parks to huge national parks, national forests, wildlife refuges, state parks, and more. I've made a list of a few of my favorite public lands, but have excluded those units run just by the National Park Service. I've talked a lot about the national parks and am trying to give a few other areas some attention on this post!
McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge, TX
This national wildlife refuge located on the northern gulf coast of Texas is home to so many different species of birds, fish, turtles, insects, and plants that to list them all out would take up more space than anyone would care to read. Instead, let me point out the highlights: wild hogs, sea turtles, river otters, and alligators! The fishing here is amazing, you can catch blue crabs for days, and getting out on a canoe among the saltwater marshes is something that should be experienced by everyone. Just don't get in the water!
Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument, UT
Venturous. You know me and my love affair with Utah. Technically this is a national monument, but it is jointly run by the national park service and the bureau of land management, so I'm going to include it here. This monument encompasses vast reaches of desert in southern Utah, protects countless ancient indian relics, fossils, and precious water sources. This area is a mecca for hikers and mountain bikers, and is littered with world-class climbing and slot canyons suited to all skill levels. Need more convincing? Get out there and explore it yourself and you'll see exactly what I mean.
Ouachita National Forest, AR
I'm a little surprised at myself for putting this on my list. When I was thinking of places I like to visit I really wasn't sure I'd be putting too many places from the southeast region of the U.S. on my list, but here you are. Ouachita National Forest is a haven of deep green tunnels and solitude, and its forest service roads lead to amazing hiking and swimming opportunites. That, plus the perk of being able to camp just about anywhere you want in a national forest makes it, and all national forests, great places to get away.
Petit Jean State Park, AR
Another location in Arkansas, but this one is well deserved. Petit Jean State Park lies on the edge of the Ouachita Mountains in central Arkansas and boasts hundred foot cliffs and towering waterfalls. Its hiking trails weave from mountain top to canyon bottom littered with grottos, springs, and streams everywhere you look. Want to visit a state park soon? Make this place a top priority.
Colorado Bend State Park, TX
You know, Texas really does have a fantastic state park system. There is a park within an hour or two of just about everybody in the state, and Texans definitely know how to use their public lands. Most of the parks here revolve around water in some way, whether its a small fishing lake, a huge recreation area, a river, stream, spring, or something else. This state park in particular has springs, creeks, rivers, waterfalls, and small pools, all in one little area. And the best part? You can hike to them all, and camp near most. I will most definitely be going back.
There is more to public lands than just national parks, and I hope that I've showed you just a few examples of places to enjoy in the U.S. Don't forget, this is our land, Our Wild, and we should treat it as such. Now get out there and enjoy your public lands!
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