Recreation.gov June 2014 Updates

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Greetings!

Welcome to the Recreation.gov monthly update. This newsletter showcases our latest trip planning content in hopes of helping you, a valued Recreation.gov customer, find inspiration for your next adventure.

A few weeks ago I was hiking a forest trail with my six-year-old son. It is through his eyes that everything became new and exciting. We celebrated when he successfully navigated seven rocks to cross a stream. We high fived when his rock skipped three times across the surface of a pond. We paused in awe as a shockingly large and colorful butterfly lit on a tree that had fallen across the trail. These are the summer memories that connect us to the special places we'll revisit, as well as inspire us to search for more. We had a blast finding exciting events and magical places for you to discover this summer.

Let us show you some Independence Day Hotspots as you celebrate the holiday your way.

Cape Cod National Seashore in Massachusetts is a treasure trove of historical intrigue and natural wonder. Ranger-guided activities range from yoga or hikes on the beach to surfcasting lessons; or explore on your own. This is also the year that the Cape Cod Canal celebrates its centennial.

Another significant milestone is the 150th anniversary of a famous battle when Union forces exploded a mine beneath a Confederate battery, blowing a gap in their defenses. Commemorate the Battle of the Crater in Petersburg, Virginia.

Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in New Mexico, is a newly designated national monument that has a rich history. It was a training site for the Apollo Space Mission and home to Geronimo's Cave, just for starters.

Here is a place we found quite fascinating, the Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts in Virginia! Enjoy outdoor performances by some of today's most popular artists, as well as a variety of other tours, workshops and activities for kids of all ages (1 to 100). This is a must see park!

Attention wreck divers! Thunder Bay National Marine Sanctuary in Michigan features one of America's best-preserved and nationally-significant collections of shipwrecks.

Our featured wilderness this month, as part of the 50th Anniversary of the Wilderness Act, is Oklahoma's Wichita Mountains Wilderness, within the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge. These rugged and weathered mountains are among the oldest ranges on earth.

After planning and experiencing, share with us! Enter the Share the Experience photo contest, for a chance to win cash and prizes.