Farming and Agriculture

If you have a high-clearance, four wheel drive vehicle , the primitive dirt road to Williams Ranch provides a unique opportunity to get off the beaten path and get close to the remote and imposing western escarpment of the Guadalupe Mountains. This road traverses bedrock and washes, often making for an extremely rough drive. A slow speed is mandatory for safe passage. Be prepared with plenty of water, a jack, and good spare tire. On these isolated, infrequently patrolled backcountry roads, a disabled vehicle can become a life-threatening situation. A no-fee permit and a gate key is required for access to the Williams Ranch Road. Before you attempt the drive, check in at the Pine Springs Visitor Center for road informaiton and the gate key. You Will Need A High Clearance Four-Wheel-Drive (4WD) Vehicle A high clearance 4WD vehicle is defined as a SUV or truck type vehicle, with at least 15 inch tire rims or more, with a low gear transfer case, designed for heavier type use than a standard passenger vehicle, with at least 8 inches of clearance or more from the lowest point of the frame, body, suspension, or differential, to the ground, also including a means to mechanically power both, front and real wheels at the same time. Rain can make roads difficult to drive or impassable following summer monsoons. Always inquire about current road conditions. Protect the Guadalupe Mountains. Always stay on established roadways. OFF ROAD DRIVING IS PROHIBITED . The effects of off-road driving last up to 50 years, and result in compacted soils, heavy erosion, and destroyed vegetation. Thank you for helping to keep Guadalupe Mountains National Park's ecosystem healthy.

Crack-In-Rock Day Hikes Day trips to Crack-In-Rock will be offered each year in April and October. The number of participants on each hike is limited to 12 to preserve these fragile resources. Hikes may be conducted with smaller groups depending on staff availability. Spots are filled on a first come first served basis with a waitlist of 5 people per hike. Two people maximum can be signed up at one time. The 2026 October hikes are now FULL and registration is closed. For questions about this hike please contact FLAG_Ranger_Hikes@nps.gov . Participants will be driven by NPS staff in 4x4 vehicles and then led on a guided hike to the Crack-In-Rock Pueblo and other nearby archeological sites to experience protected petroglyph panels and Ancestral Puebloan structures. This day hike will be approximately four miles total in desert conditions. The hike is strenuous to include uneven terrain and steep talus slopes, participants will be exposed to outdoor conditions all day. These sites and the lands they are on are culturally significant to the 13 Traditionally Associated Tribes of Wupatki National Monument, all of whom have ancestral ties to this area.

Have you ever wanted to become a park ranger? Now is your chance! By joining the Junior Ranger Corps at Prince William Forest Park, you can learn what makes this park so special and how you can help protect the park for future generations. Junior Rangers will explore Prince William Forest Park, learn about the resources and history, and help the National Park Service protect our national treasures! Visitors of all ages are welcome to complete a workbook and earn their very own Junior Ranger badge. Booklets can be picked up at the Visitor Center. Not able to make it to Prince William Forest Park and would like to learn more about the park? You can download and print the workbook or email us if you'd like for us to send you a hard copy of the workbook. If you can't get to the visitor center to earn your badge, you can mail your completed workbook to : Prince William Forest Park Division of Interpretation and Education 18100 Park Headquarters Road Triangle, VA 22172

The Cabin District stands as a reminder of the ranching legacy at Valles Caldera. This self-guided audio tour walks through a day in the life of a ranch worker, stopping by each historic structure and explaining its significance to the ranching operation that persisted here for nearly 100 years. Download the NPS smartphone app for free at The NPS App - Digital (U.S. National Park Service) . Tour takes about 30 minutes to complete.

The hike to "the Notch" is a challenging day hike that proceeds through McKittrick Canyon to a dramatic viewpoint about half way up toward McKittrick Ridge. For most hikers this destination makes a dramtic turn-around point for an excellent day hike in McKittrick Canyon. Distance: 9.0 miles (14.5 km) round-trip, out and back Elevation Change: 1,092 feet Time Estimate: 5-7 hours Difficulty: Difficult, past the Grotto

Hartwell Tavern is a restored 18th century home located along the Battle Road in Minute Man National Historical Park. The tavern sits on a beautifully restored section of the battlefield and is the heart of our Living History operations at Minute Man. The grounds around Hartwell remain open sunrise to sunset. Living History at Hartwell Tavern: If you visit during the operational season, you will have an opportunity to explore the interior of Hartwell Tavern and talk with interpreters dressed in eighteenth century attire. Learn about the experiences of the Hartwell Family on April 19, 1775 or talk about popular drinks consumed in the 18th tavern room! During the summer and fall National Park Service staff will also conduct musket firing demonstrations outside the tavern. Park at 112 North Great Road, Lincoln, MA, walk dirt path 1/4 mile north to Tavern.

Farmers Markets Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Markets is a non-profit partner of the park that hosts markets on Saturday mornings throughout the year. From May through October, the market is outdoors at Howe Meadow. From November through April, it is indoors at Old Trail School. Visit the Cuyahoga Valley Farmers Markets website for more details about their markets and vendors. Park Farms Agriculture has long been an important part of life in the Cuyahoga Valley. Today, there are eight farms that operate on land leased from the national park. They grow and raise a diverse array of crops and heritage breed animals, using sustainable methods appropriate for a national park. Several of the farms have roadside stands or host events throughout the year. Because they are working farms, most are not open to the public except during events. Look for signs at each farm or check their websites and social media accounts for more information. An overview of each one is below. Greenfield Berry Farm Greenfield Berry Farm features pick-your-own blueberries, aronia berries, and sunflowers. In addition, they offer a vegetable community-supported agriculture (CSA) program, pussy willows, tulips, and honey. Daniel Greenfield is also an environmental educator who hosts farm-based educational tours and field trips. Farm location : 2485 Major Road, Peninsula 44264 Website : www.greenfieldberryfarm.com Keleman Point Farm This sustainable farmstead produces beef, pork, and heritage-breed turkeys for Thanksgiving; Tennessee fainting goats; cashmere fiber; and eggs. Stop by their Farm Market stand for seasonal items, available year-round. Farm location : 4570 Akron Peninsula Road, Peninsula 44264 Website : www.kelemanpointfarm.com The Neitenbach Farm Neitenbach Farm uses biodynamic farming methods and combines vegetable crops with culinary and medicinal herbs. They sell their products through an on-farm stand and offer a unique CSA. In addition, Pamela offers her herbal tinctures, teas, and salves as well as healing, holistic body work. Farm location : 3077 Akron Peninsula Road, Akron 44313 Facebook : www.facebook.com/theneitenbachfarm Oxbow Orchard Oxbow Orchard is a diversified farm that uses regenerative agriculture principles. They raise Icelandic sheep, chickens, and turkey as well as seasonal fruits and vegetables, seedlings, and flowers. They have a farmstand and a local food shop. Farm location : 6765 Canal Road, Valley View 44125 Website : www.oxboworchard.com Purplebrown Farmstead Purplebrown Farmstead grows a resilient and productive food forest. This includes cider apples, diverse fruits and nuts, vegetables, herbs, flowers, mushrooms, and complementary animal products. Farm store location : 1619 Mill Street West, Peninsula 44264 Website : www.purplebrownfarmstead.com Sarah’s Vineyard The Lytz family operates a vineyard, winery, and art gallery at their farm site. They grow several grape varieties and make nearly a dozen wines, including an estate wine. They host an annual Summer Solstice Wine, Art, & Music Festival in June. They offer indoor and outdoor dining, live music, and entertainment. Vineyard location : 1204 West Steels Corners Road, Cuyahoga Falls 44223 Website : www.sarahsvineyardwinery.com Spice Acres Spice Acres is managed by Ben Bebenroth, chef/farmer/founder of Cleveland’s Spice Catering Co. and Spice Field Kitchen. Forging a deeper bond between chefs and seasons, Spice Acres creates a direct link between the culinary teams at Spice Catering Co. and the farm’s evolving harvest. Farm location : 9570 Riverview Road, Brecksville 44141 Website : www.spiceacres.com Trapp Family Farm Trapp Family Farm is a sustainable mixed crop-and-livestock farm. Draft horses have provided the power since its inception in 2012. Eggs, produce, and meat are sold seasonally on site. They strive to be part of a small, resilient community that is supported and sustained by healthy people, plants, animals, and soil. Farm location : 1019 West Streetsboro Road, Peninsula 44264 Instagram : www.instagram.com/trappfamilyfarm

Step back in time at the Port Oneida Fair and experience life as it was from the 1850's and early 1940's. Imagine the life of Euro-American immigrants as you help bale hay or watch a broom-maker at work. Learn about spinning, basket weaving, soap making, butter making, candle dipping, and fur trapping. Listen as park rangers and local historians share the area's history. Watch as teams of oxen haul hay and artists and craftsmen demonstrate their skills. The fair is held at five of the historic sites in Port Oneida. Each farm has a variety of artists, crafts, food, and activities for visitors scroll below to see what is happening at each of them. A shuttle bus runs between the farms on a regular schedule during the fair, so you can park your car and easily get around to the different venues. The Port Oneida Fair is presented by Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore in partnership with Sleeping Bear Forever. To learn more about how you can help support the park, visit www.phsb.org . August 7-8, 2026 10 am - 4 pm Getting around Shuttle Park your car at one of the three parking lots (Thoreson, Olsen, and Dechow farms). A free shuttle stops at each site approximately every 15 minutes. Olsen farm address 3164 W. Harbor Hwy. Maple City, Michigan 49664 Thoreson farm address 3694 S Thoreson Rd. Maple City, MI 49664 Dechow farm address 3991 W Harbor Hwy. Maple City, MI 49664 On foot Walking paths connect all the farm sites. Horse and wagon Take a horse and wagon ride between the Olsen and Dechow Farms.

At Montezuma Castle National Monument, visitors can view two cliff dwellings built by the Hisatsinom, or Sinagua people, around 1150 CE. These impressive feats of engineering are a testament to the people that lived here and the community they were a part of. Although the dwellings seen here were constructed starting around 1150, people lived in this area long before they were built. These structures were occupied until the Hisatsinom left the area by about the early 1400s. Despite their appearance, the dwellings here are not abandoned and forgotten; they are celebrated and remembered. Many indigenous peoples maintain a strong connection with this land and site today. A 0.3 mile (0.5 km) paved loop trail around the site and offers numerous views of the dwellings as we see them today. Montezuma Castle is located about 100 yards (91 m) from the visitor center. Castle A is located on the far side of the loop, about 160 yards (146 m) from the visitor center. More than 95% of what we see of the main dwelling, Montezuma Castle, is original with some work performed over the years to stabilize the structure. Its location inside the cliff is largely what is responsible for its preservation, keeping it protected from the elements. A short spur trail allows visitors a closer look at Castle A, a dwelling that was about twice the size of Montezuma Castle. This structure was burned sometime between 1375 and 1395 during a dispute between the Hisatsinom who lived in this building and the Apache and Yavapai, but some of the stonework and caveate rooms are still visible along the cliff. Due to the sensitivity of these sites, tours inside Montezuma Castle were discontinued in 1951 and access to Castle A was discontinued in 1978. Please respect the dwellings here by remaining on the trail and not sitting on or climbing them. A five minute video tour of the inside of Montezuma Castle plays on loop in the museum during operating hours. Montezuma Castle is not visible from any roads. Safety Bring water on your walk. Although the trail is mostly shaded, summer high temperatures range from 95 ° to 115 ° F (35 ° to 46 ° C). The park does not sell bottled water, but water bottles can be purchased from the bookstore and a water bottle refill station is available at the visitor center. From spring through fall, rattlesnakes are seen in the park and may be present on the trails. If you encounter a rattlesnake during your visit, please let a staff member know immediately. Park rangers are specially trained to safely relocate rattlesnakes. Never attempt to handle or move a snake yourself and give all snakes at least six feet of space. Please remember that we are visitors in their home; rattlesnakes and all other park wildlife are protected from harm or harassment by law. Check the forecast ahead of time. From July through mid-September, heavy rainstorms called monsoons are common in the afternoon. The trail is closed for 30 minutes following any lightning strikes within five miles of the park. Regulations Never climb or sit on the dwellings or structures. Please stay on the paved trail at all times. Drones and other unmanned aircraft are not permitted in the park. Please leave all plants, animals, rocks, artifacts, bones, and other items where you find them for others to enjoy. If you find something interesting on the trail, take a photo to share with a ranger. Pets are welcome on the trails but must be on a leash no more than six feet at all times. Always clean up after your pet. Never leave your pets in the car. Pets are not permitted in the visitor center except during check-in.

The Wayside is open on Sunday and Wednesday, 1:00 - 5:00 pm. July 5 - September 5, 2026 Guided tours at 1:00, 2:00, 3:00 and 4:00pm Witness to over 300 years of history! From revolutionary patriots to famous authors, the Wayside has played host to many influential thinkers in American History. Learn more about the Wayside: Home of Authors by clicking here!