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Become a Senior Ranger at the main Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center located at Fort Caroline. This is a free program that encourages adults to tour the site and learn more about the resources. After completing the application you will earn your own Senior Ranger badge. Stop by the visitor center to see "Crossroads of a Revolution." This 22-minute orientation film tells the story of Ninety Six. Fro…
12 parks and sites (NPS)
Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
Become a Senior Ranger at the main Timucuan Preserve Visitor Center located at Fort Caroline. This is a free program that encourages adults to tour the site and learn more about the resources. After completing the application you will earn your own Senior Ranger badge.
Ninety Six National Historic Site
Stop by the visitor center to see "Crossroads of a Revolution." This 22-minute orientation film tells the story of Ninety Six. From its forming at the crossroads along trade routes linking the Cherokee territory to Charleston, SC. Ninety Six in the 1700s was a land of hope and opportunity, of conflict and revenge, and a land of fronteir justice. Ninety Six played a significant role in the struggle for Ameircan independence from British rule. It was the site of the first southern land battle of the Revolutionary War in 1775, and the scene of the longest field siege in 1781. The video is availbe for viewing on request during the visitor center hours.
Ninety Six National Historic Site
HEY PETS!!! Do you want to proudly wear the Ninety Six National Historic Site BARK Ranger tag? Your human to help you get one, and you can both have fun while earning it. What does the human need to do for you? 1) Learn and follow the rules B is for bag your poop A is for always keep you on a leash (6' or shorter, please) R is to help you respect wildlife K is to know where you can go 2) Pick up a BARK Ranger page at the visitor center, bulletin board, or here and do the activities. 3) Once you have finished knock on the Visitor Center door to show the ranger that you have completed your booklet, and receive your official BARK Ranger dog tag and certificate!
Fort Stanwix National Monument
Did you know that dogs are welcome to visit Fort Stanwix National Monument with their special people? Learn the rules of B.A.R.K., participate in two activities below, and take the oath to become a Bark Ranger! You can also visit the ranger station inside the historic fort for a special B.A.R.K. Ranger stamp and collar tag! Activities : FIND A POOP BAG STATION - Sometimes your friend may wish to leave a present behind at the park. There are poop poles provided at two locations along the park trail, and several trash cans. Find one, just in case you must dispose of one of these gifts. TAKE A PICTURE OF YOUR PUP ON LEASH - It is always important to keep your dog on a leash while exploring. Take a picture of your dog on their best behavior at the park! #FortStanwix #BARKRangers SAY HELLO TO ANOTHER VISITOR - Whether in your living room, in a local park, or on the lakeshore, find a spot to share a snack with your pet. Remember to keep them on a leash, dispose of any poop bags if needed, and always check hot pavement with the back of your hand before letting your pet walk across a street or parking lot on a hot day. If you can't hold your hand there, it's too hot! VISIT A BONUS PARK - Explore a park that shares Fort Stanwix’s history. Gansevoort Park, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers of the American Revolution, and the Oneida Carry Monument, are all in walking distance. Be prepared to share a picture of your pupper in your picked park! B = Bag your poop! • Help keep the park clean by bagging your and placing it in a trash receptacle. • Dog waste is not natural fertilizer. It pollutes waterways and can spread disease. A = Always wear a leash! • Keep your dog and others safe by using a handheld leash no more than 6ft in length. • Even if your dog is friendly, not every person, animal, or other dog will react well to them. R = Respect wildlife! • Dogs can scare and chase birds and other animals away from nesting, feeding, and resting spots. • Even small animals wildlife can be unpredictable and dangerous to pets. Give them space. K = Know where you can go! • With the exception of service animals, no pets are permitted in park visitor centers. However, pups can go through most areas of the historic Fort that their humans can. B A R K Ranger Pledge: (Fill in your pet's name and your name in the spaces. Raise your right hand and your pet's paw and read the pledge out l…
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Fort McHenry is the first site to receive a presidential proclimation requiring that the site fly a flag 24/7, 365 days a year. Join park staff in the mornings or evenings as we change out our flags for the day and learn about the flag's significance to the park's history. Flag change programs occure daily. In the mornings the park raises a larger replica of a historic flag and in the evenings an overnight all-weather flag is raised over the fort. *Flag changes are weather dependent. If there is precipitation, or of if the wind is below 5 mph/above 10 mph, the large garrison flag (30x42 feet) and storm flag (17x25 feet) cannot be flown. The exact times of the flag change programs change seasonally and are listed below: Summer Winter Morning 10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. Evening (weekday) 4:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Evening (weekend) 5:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.
War in the Chesapeake
Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
The Battle of Baltimore and the bombardment of Fort McHenry was the culmination of a nearly two year campaign in the Chesapeake Bay region. The 1813-1814 Chesapeake Campaign brought terror and destruction to small towns such as Havre de Grace and Fredericktown, but culminated in the burning of Washington D.C. and the bombardment of Fort McHenry inspiring the creation of the Star-Spangled Banner. Join a ranger for 30-45 minutes for a free program that will explain the whole campaign.
Experience History Come Alive at Fort Clatsop
Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
Fort Clatsop was the winter encampment for the Corps of Discovery from December 1805 to March 1806. The visitor center includes a replica of Fort Clatsop similar to the one built by the explorers, an interpretive center offering an exhibit hall, gift shop and two films. The park features ranger-led programs & costumed rangers in the fort during certain seasons . Fort clastop is also the starting point for a number of hiking trails including the Fort-to-Sea, Kwis Kwis, Netul trail, & South Clatsop Slough trail. Best time to come: Mid-June through Labor day 12:30pm-3pm will give you the best chances to see ranger led programs and demos!
Hike on El Camino Real de los Tejas
El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail
Walk in the footsteps of history. Discover the same landscapes and imagine the hardships of those that have passed before you, as you look through their eyes on the same viewsheds. What is different? What is the same? Walking the trail is a different kind of hiking experience! In some places, the historic trail is a current modern-day hiking trail. In others, it could be a modern-day asphalt road. Experiences vary, so please check with individual locations for more details. Safety Considerations For more location information: Places to Go on El Camino Real
Hands - On History
Fort Stanwix National Monument
Have you ever wanted to join the Continental Army? Fire a cannon? Learn how to card wool? Become a TIME TRAVELER? Througout the summer months at Fort Stanwix National Monument, their are many opportunities to do just that. Living history programs and demonstrations run every day and vary from week to week. One day, you might be able to help a campfollower with the laundry; the next a family with their chores; and the day after that be the commander of a cannon crew! Fort Stanwix is a very "hands on" park and can be fun for the whole family!
Colonial Dress-Up Trunk
Fort Stanwix National Monument
This activity can be found in the Gregg Barrack's Station inside the historic fort. When's the last time you played dress-up? When you visit the park make sure to check out the Colonial Dress-Up Trunk! Dress as a Continental Soldier. Try on a little girl's clothes. Who could you be? Bonus activity: Dress-up the whole family and take a picture in the fort together!
Explore the Fort Garden
Fort Stanwix National Monument
Soldiers at the fort were encouraged to tend gardens, and we have a few examples of what they grew! Come and see how different some of your favorite fruits and vegetables were back in the 18th century, and learn about how different medicinal herbs were used. You may already have some herbs in your pantry! Before his arrival to the fort in the spring of 1777, Gansevoort sent a letter to his second in command, Lieutenant Col. Marinus Willett, ordering a garden to be planted near the fort: “As soon as the Season will permit you will have the Garden put in Seed, that the Garrison may not be without vegetables in their Season.” Everyday, private soldiers would have received a portion of bread, flour, or vegetables for their one daily meal, along with a portion of meat. Meat was often shipped to the fort in barrels of brine and not considered fresh by today’s standards. What little livestock they had was kept for milk production. During the Siege of 1777 a number of these animals were killed for food; a fact Gansevoort later bemoaned to Gates stating that they should have had proper supplies before an attack occurred. Even with fresh vegetables available, portions weren’t always distributed fairly. By the next spring, orders were issued to the men that specific food items were to be sold at set prices (Example: 16 Shilling for 17 lbs. of onion and $2 per head of cabbage). This was done so that those civilians and even other soldiers with more access to the garden and livestock could not cheat others out of their fair share.
Upcoming programs and events at parks in this collection (from the NPS Events API).
Fort McHenry holds a unique honor as the very first site to receive a presidential proclamation requiring the U.S. flag to fly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year . Each day, you’re invited to join park staff for our morning and evening flag‑changing traditions. Discover why the flag became a powerful symbol during the Battle of Baltimore and how it became deeply tied to the nation’s story as the inspiration behind the Star-Spangled Banner. In the mornings, we raise a replica of a historic flag. In the evenings, we lift an all‑weather flag that proudly flies through the night. Don’t just read about history—experience it! Plan your visit, join a flag program, and be part of a tradition that connects us to the nation’s story. *Flag changes are weather dependent.
Fort McHenry holds a unique honor as the very first site to receive a presidential proclamation requiring the U.S. flag to fly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year . Each day, you’re invited to join park staff for our morning and evening flag‑changing traditions. Discover why the flag became a powerful symbol during the Battle of Baltimore and how it became deeply tied to the nation’s story as the inspiration behind the Star-Spangled Banner. In the mornings, we raise a replica of a historic flag. In the evenings, we lift an all‑weather flag that proudly flies through the night. Don’t just read about history—experience it! Plan your visit, join a flag program, and be part of a tradition that connects us to the nation’s story. *Flag changes are weather dependent.
The 19-minute park orientation film Determined to Persevere: The Valley Forge Encampment is shown daily on the hour and the half-hour in the Theater at Valley Forge. The first screening is at 9:30 AM and the final screening is at 4:30 PM. The movie, narrated by Laura Linney, tells the story of the winter 1777-1778 encampment of the Continental Army at Valley Forge, and was filmed on location in 2018 and 2019. If you are unable to attend a screening of the orientation film during a visit to the park, you can always watch it online! Watch the park orientation film online
With stories from the War of 1812 through the Second World War, Fort McHenry allows for a wide variety of history and subjects to be the topic of the park's ranger programs. Join rangers as they present pre-established programs that help orient visitors to the park's amazing stories!
Join a ranger for a 30-minute, family-friendly walk through Battleground National Cemetery and discover the stories of the soldiers buried here. Learn who these men were and how their service helped shape our nation's history. Uncover clues about the lives of the soldiers, and think about how we remember people who served long ago. Through stories, questions, and observation, children and families will gain a deeper appreciation for the sacrifices made during one of the most important chapters in American history. Perfect for families with children ages 6 and up. This easy walking tour lasts approximately 30 minutes.
Calling all future Junior Rangers! Get ready to travel back in time, uncover amazing stories, and discover what life was really like during the Civil War! At the Junior Ranger Discovery Club, every meeting is a new adventure. Collect Civil War trading cards, investigate what soldiers and families ate, discover what Civil War uniforms and equipment can tell us about the people who wore them, and try fun, hands-on activities that bring history to life. Complete challenges, ask questions, make discoveries, and learn how Junior Rangers can help protect the historic places and stories found in our national parks. Explore the past. Learn something new. Protect our parks. And have fun doing it! Recommended Ages: 8–12 THIS PROGRAM IS CANCELLED FOR OCTOBER 8, 2026. IT WILL RESUME NEXT WEEK.
Fort McHenry holds a unique honor as the very first site to receive a presidential proclamation requiring the U.S. flag to fly 24 hours a day, 365 days a year . Each day, you’re invited to join park staff for our morning and evening flag‑changing traditions. Discover why the flag became a powerful symbol during the Battle of Baltimore and how it became deeply tied to the nation’s story as the inspiration behind the Star-Spangled Banner. In the mornings, we raise a replica of a historic flag. In the evenings, we lift an all‑weather flag that proudly flies through the night. Don’t just read about history—experience it! Plan your visit, join a flag program, and be part of a tradition that connects us to the nation’s story. *Flag changes are weather dependent.
It’s spooky time again! Do you like to solve puzzles? Are you up for a good mystery? Then plan to visit the park on Saturdays throughout October from 10-3 for this year’s “Mysteries, Myths, and Mayhem” event. Gather clues as you tour the fort and solve one of the many mysteries of Fort Schuyler in 1781. As always, the event is free, and there is no registration required. Whether you come on your own or with a group, plan to have a lot of fun at the fort!
Join a National Park Service ranger for a guided walk-through Battleground National Cemetery to explore Civil War monuments, their symbols, and the stories they were built to preserve. Discover how art, memory, and history come together in this quiet landscape where Washington, DC’s past is written in stone. As a part of the Freedom 250 commemoration, this program invites visitors to reflect on sacrifice, citizenship, and the enduring power of public memory. Please note that parking is limited to public streets.
Come cleanup Shepherd Parkway with Ward 8 Woods! Meet at 555 Newcomb St SE at 10:30 AM to receive instructions and supplies (gloves, bags, and trash grabbers will be provided.) Please wear sturdy close-toed shoes, long pants, and bring water. Sign-up here: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/global-search/shepherd%20parkway
Come cleanup Shepherd Parkway with Ward 8 Woods! Meet at 555 Newcomb St SE at 10:30 AM to receive instructions and supplies (gloves, bags, and trash grabbers will be provided.) Please wear sturdy close-toed shoes, long pants, and bring water. Sign-up here: https://www.volunteer.gov/s/global-search/shepherd%20parkway
After three long weeks, the British and their allies abandoned their attack on Fort Schuyler/Stanwix, leaving the American forces within as the victors. However, even with the immediate threat removed, the Continental Army throughout New York was still under British threat. Programs throughout the day will focus on what happened as the British retreated, but didn't surrender. A special flag ceremony at 3 pm will mark the end of the Siege.
In the 1840s the Arkansas River was the border between territory claimed by the United States and Mexico. Located along the river, Bent's Fort was an adobe trading post on the Santa Fe Trail, where traders, trappers, travelers, and the Cheyenne and Arapaho tribes came together in peaceful terms for trade. Today, a reconstructed fort allows visitors to explore the front line of Westward Expansion.
On forested hills surrounding the nation's capital are the remnants of a complex system of Civil War fortifications. These strategic buttresses transformed the young capital into one of the world's most fortified cities. By 1865, 68 forts and 93 batteries armed with over 800 cannons encircled Washington, DC. Today, you can visit 18 of the original sites now managed by the National Park Service.
Explore a diverse array of histories contained within El Camino Real de los Tejas’ 150-year life, including the Spanish struggle to missionize American Indian nations, the growth of cattle ranching in the Mexican period, and the movement for Texan independence and statehood.
This 361 acre wooded park was once home to an earthen fort built to protect Washington, DC, during the Civil War. Today, visitors can see the fort's earthworks and escape to the great outdoors. Activities include picnics, nature walks, biking, gardening, environmental education, music, and ranger-led programs.
by the dawn's early light, a large red, white and blue banner? Whose broad stripes and bright stars... were so gallantly streaming...over Fort McHenry! The valiant defense of the fort during the Battle of Baltimore on September 13-14, 1814 inspired Francis Scott Key to write the words that became the U.S. national anthem. The fort's history holds many other stories too, from the Civil War to WWII.
For centuries, the Oneida Carrying Place, a six-mile portage connecting the Mohawk River and Wood Creek, served as a vital link for those traveling by water from the ocean to the Great Lakes. When Europeans arrived, nations fought for control of the carry, the homelands of the Six Nations Confederacy, and the rich resources of North America. In this struggle, Fort Stanwix would play a vital role.
The ancient geologic landscape of the upper Columbia River cradles Lake Roosevelt in walls of stone carved by massive ice age floods. Come explore the shorelines and learn the stories of American Indians, traders and trappers, settlers and dam builders who called this place home. Swim, boat, hike, camp, and fish at this hidden gem in Northeast Washington, created by the Grand Coulee Dam.
The Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail winds nearly 4,900 miles through the homelands of more than 60 Tribal nations. It follows the historic outbound and inbound routes of the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1803-1806 from Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania to the Pacific Ocean. Follow the trail to find the people, places, and stories that make up the complex legacy of the expedition.
Explore the timeless rainforests and majestic coastal vistas. Discover the rich heritage of the native people. Unfold the dramatic stories of America's most famous explorers. The park encompasses sites along the Columbia River and the Pacific Coast. Follow in the footsteps of the explorers and have an adventure in history.
National Capital Parks — East invites you to explore more than 8,000 acres of scenic parkland, historic landmarks, and vibrant community spaces across Washington, D.C. and Maryland. From the riverside trails of Anacostia Park to the homes of American leaders like Frederick Douglass and Carter G. Woodson, each of our 17 nationally significant parks offers a distinct experience.
The Potomac River corridor is rich in both history and recreation, offering a chance to both explore your heritage and choose your adventure along the way. Start your journey here!
Valley Forge is the place where George Washington and the Continental Army took refuge during the winter of 1777-1778. Today the park protects 3,500 acres of meadows, woodlands, historic landscapes, and monuments commemorating the resolve of the Revolutionary War generation and honoring the power of people to pull together, overcome adversity, and find renewal through transformation.