national park
Government-preserved land
A national park is a large area of land protected by a government for conservation and public enjoyment.
These parks preserve natural landscapes, wildlife habitats, and sometimes historical sites from commercial development.
In the United States, the National Park Service administers dozens of such parks: We visited three national parks on our road trip through the Southwest.
Many countries maintain similar systems.
Deep river-cut gorge
- geyserErupting thermal vent
- glacierSlow-moving ice mass
- waterfallDescending river over precipice
- redwoodTowering California conifer
sequoia · mesa · butte · hot spring · volcanic crater · alpine meadow · old-growth forest · tidal pool
Outdoor walking route
- backcountry campingOvernight stays in undeveloped areas
- scenic driveRoadway featuring attractive landscapes
- visitor centerInformation point for guests
- wildlife viewingObserving animals in habitat
campground · picnic area · nature walk · photography · stargazing · kayaking · rock climbing · horseback riding
Organisms facing extinction risk
- habitat protectionSafeguarding natural living spaces
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- ecosystem preservationProtecting interconnected natural communities
- wildlife corridorStrip connecting fragmented habitats
reforestation · native species · controlled burn · watershed · land trust · environmental stewardship · species recovery · habitat restoration
Large furry omnivore
- elkLarge North American cervid
- bisonLarge wild ox
- wolfWild pack canine
- mountain lionLarge tawny American feline
bighorn sheep · eagle · condor · salmon run · nesting site · wildlife watching · animal tracking · wildlife crossing
Areas traditionally occupied by original inhabitants
- historic siteDesignated place of significance
- archaeological siteLocation of historic remains
- petroglyphsCarvings on natural stone
- cliff dwellingsHomes built into rockfaces
battleground · homestead · cultural landscape · sacred site · tribal heritage · oral tradition · interpretive center · living history
canyon
Deep river-cut gorge
redwood · sequoia · mesa · butte · hot spring · volcanic crater · alpine meadow · old-growth forest · tidal pool · slot canyon
hiking trail
Outdoor walking route
- backcountry campingOvernight stays in undeveloped areas
- scenic driveRoadway featuring attractive landscapes
- visitor centerInformation point for guests
wildlife viewing · campground · picnic area · nature walk · photography · stargazing · kayaking · rock climbing · horseback riding · cross-country skiing
endangered species
Organisms facing extinction risk
- habitat protectionSafeguarding natural living spaces
- biodiversityRange of life forms
- ecosystem preservationProtecting interconnected natural communities
wildlife corridor · reforestation · native species · controlled burn · watershed · land trust · environmental stewardship · species recovery · habitat restoration · resource management
bear
Large furry omnivore
mountain lion · bighorn sheep · eagle · condor · salmon run · nesting site · wildlife watching · animal tracking · wildlife crossing · spawning ground
indigenous lands
Areas traditionally occupied by original inhabitants
- historic siteDesignated place of significance
- archaeological siteLocation of historic remains
- petroglyphsCarvings on natural stone
cliff dwellings · battleground · homestead · cultural landscape · sacred site · tribal heritage · oral tradition · interpretive center · living history · historic preservation
- camping destinationsstate parks, campground, campgrounds, RV parks, campsite
- ecotourism destinationsrainforest, coral reef, wildlife sanctuary, nature reserve, marine reserve
- educational siteszoo, aquarium, art museum, botanical garden, history museum
- government propertycourthouse, post office, military base, city hall, fire station
- land usesfarm, ranch, orchard, vineyard, plantation
- natural areasnature reserve, nature reserves, wilderness areas, wetland, wildlife refuge
national parkprivate property
Individually owned assets
private estate · private land · gated community · private reserve · country club
national parkstrip mine
Surface-level ore extraction
industrial zone · urban sprawl · commercial development · oil field · shopping mall
national parktoxic waste dump
Repository for dangerous chemicals
dead zone · contaminated land · wasteland · toxic dump · blighted area
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