Great-Horned Owl

Location

Joshua Tree National Park is located in southern California and protects desert area filled with the park's namesake Joshua trees. The park covers an area larger than the state of Rhode Island and includes portions of two deserts, the Mojave Desert and the Colorado Desert. The San Bernardino Mountains also run through a portion of the park, providing start contrast to the surround desert.

Location

City of Rocks National Reserve is located in South Central Idaho and is governed by both the National Park Service and the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. The reserve protects a portion of the historic California Trail and its landscape filled with granite pinnacles and monoliths.

City of Rocks is well known for rock climbing and there are over 700 climbing routes developed. Its granite spires range from 30 to 300 feet high and offer moderate to advanced difficulty.

Location

Siuslaw National Forest is located in western Oregon and includes a variety ecosystems, such as sandy beaches and coastline forests. The forest contains Marys Peak, which is the 4097 feet high above sea level and is the highest peak in the Oregon Coast Range.

There are multiple areas within the forest, including Oregon Dunes National Recreation Area, Sand Lake Recreation Area, Rock Creek Wilderness Area and Marys Peak Scenic Botanical Area.

Location

Lake Maria State Park is located near Monticello, Minnesota. The park contains two prominent water features, Maria Lake and Bjorkland Lake, and is an easy drive from the Minneapolis/Saint Paul area.

Camping is a great family activity. There are 17 backpack sites, 2 group sites and 3 cabins. 14 miles of trails are available for hiking and cross-country skiing. 6 miles of trails can be used for horseback riding.

Location

Sherwood Island State Park is located in Westport, CT on the shores of Long Island Sound. It was formed in 1914 and is Connecticut's first state park. Today, it is a popular destination for families. The park includes varied habitats, including a mile-long stretch of beach and surrounding wetlands and woodlands.