15 Must-See American National Monuments That Capture the Spirit of the Nation
While most travelers are drawn to the grandeur of America’s national parks, the splendor of its national monuments often goes unnoticed. America has 134 national monuments spread out across the United States and 63 national parks. National parks preserve vast landscapes, while national monuments protect objects of scientific, historic, or prehistoric significance.
To see all of the national monuments in America would take quite a bit of time and a lot of “on-the-road” miles. With so many monuments, how do you know which ones to see? Focus your efforts as these are 15 of the best American national monuments to add to your travel bucket list.
1. Devil’s Tower
Declared America’s first national monument by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906, Devil’s Tower is a geological wonder in Wyoming that you need to see up close. Famous with climbers around the world, this rock formation juts up high above the trees, and it has a distinctive crack on its exterior. Before its discovery by European settlers to America, it was a sacred place for Native Americans.
2. Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado, and Utah Border
If you ever questioned the existence of dinosaurs, the Dinosaur National Monument proves they did, 150 million years ago. Embedded inside the rocks are dinosaur fossils, and on the rocks are petroglyphs or ancient drawings left by the Fremont people more than 1000 years ago.
3. Giant Sequoia National Monument, California
Designated by President Bill Clinton in 2000, the giant sequoia tree is the world’s largest tree by volume and only grows naturally on the western slopes of the Sierra Nevada mountain range in California. The sequoia tree can grow more than 300 feet tall and more than 35 feet across.
There are lots of camping and hiking opportunities in the area for you to enjoy while you take in the beauty of these amazing and enormous trees.
4. Natural Bridges National Monument, Utah
Recognized since 1908, the Natural Bridges in Utah are one of eight national monuments in the state. The Natural Bridges monument is a set of three bridges carved by rushing water out of the rocks to form natural bridges across them. These sandstone giants, Sipapu, Kachina, and Owachomo, are among the largest in the world.
There is a short drivable loop to see the bridges, but you need to see them up close to take in their beauty fully.
5. Muir Woods, California
Just a short drive from San Francisco, towering coastal redwoods dominate this serene part of the forest. Established as a national monument in 1908, it sought to protect the trees here, some over 250 feet tall and over 1,000 years old.
The monument is part of the Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and visitors are encouraged to hike on the trails and see these amazing trees. It is located just a little over ten miles outside of San Francisco, but you would never guess it standing amongst these towering trees.
6. Statue of Liberty, New York
The Statue of Liberty may be one of the most recognized statues in the world. A gift from France to the United States, this giant copper statue was recognized as a national monument in 1924. The Statue of Liberty was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1984, and you can find replicas of the statue around the world.
Lady Liberty hosts more than 4 million visitors every year, and if you want to reach the top, you’ll need reservations and comfortable shoes. There are 354 stairs to reach the top.
7. Canyon de Chelly National Monument, Arizona
The Canyon de Chelly National Monument was designated by President Herbert Hoover in 1931 to preserve its archeological and cultural resources for generations to come. The canyon is spread across more than 84,000 acres and is home to members of the Navajo Nation and Spider Rock.
Spider Rock is a sandstone spire that reaches nearly 800 feet above the canyon floor, the iconic rock is important to the Navajo people and their religion.
8. Misty Fjords National Monument, Alaska
Dedicated by President Jimmy Carter in 1978, the Misty Fjords National Monument in Alaska is spread over 2 million acres of forest. It is one of only 10 fjords in the United States. The fjords are steeped with dramatic cliffs that rise thousands of feet straight out of the water, all shrouded in mist.
It’s accessible mainly by boat or seaplane, with fantastic Alaska views and plenty of wildlife. You can hike, fish, and camp inside this area of the Tongass National Forest.
9. Mount St. Helens Volcanic National Monument, Washington
Mount St. Helen’s Volcanic National Monument was designated in 1982 by President Ronald Reagan. As part of this designation, a 110,000-acre area for research, education, and recreation was created.
Visitors to this monument will find miles of trails you can experience on foot and by car. Experienced climbers can get a permit to climb to the volcano’s rim, and all of the wildlife and plants you see today survived and adapted after the 1980 eruption.
10. Carrizo Plain, California
President Clinton declared the Carrizo Plain in California a national monument in January of 2001. This 250,000 acres of grassland has the largest remaining native grassland in the state and is home to several species of endangered plants and animals along the San Andreas Fault.
Visitors from March to May will see an impressive array of wildflowers on the mountainsides and in the valley, and you might get lucky and see a rare California condor soaring above. Just know it’s pretty remote out here, so don’t expect a lot of tourists out here.
11. George Washington Birthplace National Monument, Virginia
If you’ve ever wanted to learn more about the humble beginnings of America’s first president, The George Washington Birthplace National Monument in Virginia is the place to do so. Located along the Potomac River, the monument preserves the site where United State’s first president and Founding Father, George Washington, was born in 1732.
The grounds are where 7 generations of the Washington family lived and died, but it’s also incredibly scenic, with rolling hills and old farm buildings. You can go on a self-guided tour of the reconstructed house representing Washington’s birthplace. However, the original was destroyed long ago.
12. Grand Staircase–Escalante National Monument, Utah
This vast region covers about 1.87 million acres of rugged southern Utah – northern Arizona desert. With towering cliffs, deep canyons, and expansive plateaus, the landscapes here feel truly wild.
As one of my favorite places in the country and beloved by adventurous hikers, some trails will have you scrambling over rocks and into hidden slot canyons. If you’ve ever dreamed of stepping into an alien world, this might be as close as it gets on Earth.
13. Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument, New Mexico
Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks is where outdoor lovers and history buffs can bond over stunning views and ancient ruins. Rising sharply from the desert, the jagged peaks look like something out of an adventure movie.
Covering 496,000 acres, it has caves, archaeological sites, and traces of old Indigenous and Spanish civilizations. While you might come for the hiking, you’ll stay for the mind-blowing sunsets that turn the mountains into glowing orange giants.
14. Colorado National Monument, Colorado
This place doesn’t get nearly as much attention as it should, so it’s much quieter than some of the bigger parks. Tucked away near Grand Junction, Colorado National Monument is a massive red rock formation with cliffs that look like they belong in a Western movie.
With incredible scenic drives like Rim Rock Drive stretching 23 miles, it’s hard not to stop every five minutes to take in the view. The sheer scale of the rock spires and canyons is impressive, with some monoliths rising over 450 feet.
15. Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, New Mexico
A list of national monuments wouldn’t be complete without at least one site from the indigenous ancient people. The Mogollon people carved Gila Cliff Dwellings into the cliffs over 700 years ago.
These ancient dwellings are built into five natural caves. You can actually walk inside the dwellings and explore the rooms where people once slept, cooked, and thrived. The surrounding Gila Wilderness is in a pretty stunning area of New Mexico too, with its forested hills and clear rivers.
Allison Manning
Allison Manning is the creative mind behind Simply Stunning Content. With more than 20 years of writing experience under her belt, she is a master of creating captivating content that connects with audiences of all types. When she’s not working on new content you can find her cooking, reading, or listening to a very eclectic library of music.
When she’s not working, she prioritizes her family above everything else. Whether it’s spending quality time with her loving husband, three amazing kids, or her faithful dog, family is where she finds her joy and inspiration. She strives to make every piece of content she creates simply stunning.
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