National Recreation Areas
Of the 18 National Recreation Areas in the National Park System, 12 are centered on large reservoirs and emphasize water-based recreation, and 4 are located near major population centers. Such urban parks combine scarce open spaces with the preservation of significant historic resources and important natural areas in location that can provide outdoor recreation for large numbers of people.
Amistad National Recreation Area
Situated on the U.S.-Mexican border, the Amistad Reservoir on the Rio Grande offers excellent opportunities for year-round water-based recreation.Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
Bighorn Lake, formed by Yellowtail Dam on the Bighorn River, extends 71 miles, including 55 miles through spectacular Bighorn Canyon.Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
Includes 30 islands, rich in natural and cultural resources, that are situated within the large "C" shape of the Greater Boston shoreline. Managed by a partnership that includes the NPS, and other public and private organizations.Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
Includes a series of recreational and historic sites along a 48-mile stretch of the Chattahoochee River, north of Atlanta.Chickasaw National Recreation Area
Named to honor the Chickasaw Indian Nation, the first national park in the state of Oklahoma is highlighted by a number of springs, streams, and lakes.Curecanti National Recreation Area
Three lakes -- Blue Mesa, Morrow Point, and Crystal -- extend for 40 miles along the Gunnison River and the Black Canyon.Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
This scenic and historic area preserves relatively unspoiled land on both the New Jersey and Pennsylvania sides of the middle Delaware River.Gateway National Recreation Area
Spanning portions of NY and NJ, nation's first urban park offers wide range of recreational opportunities. It includes a wildlife refuge, historic forts and airfields.Gauley River National Recreation Area
The 25 miles of the Gauley River and the 6 miles of the Meadow River pass through scenic gorges and valleys; the Gauley River includes several Class V+ rapids.Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
Lake Powell stretches for 186 miles along the old Colorado River channel, offering opportunities for water-based and backcountry recreation.Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Hosting nearly 20 million visitors a year, this large urban park includes ocean beaches, redwood forests, lagoons, marshes, military properties, and Alcatraz Island.Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
Here the beautiful Stehekin Valley, with a portion of fjordlike Lake Chelan, adjoins North Cascades National Park.Lake Mead National Recreation Area
Three of America's four desert ecosystems--the Mojave, the Great Basin, and the Sonoran Deserts--meet in this first national recreation area established by an act of Congress.Lake Meredith National Recreation Area
Created by Sanford Dam on the Canadian River, Lake Meredith is a popular water recreation area in the Southwest.Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
Formed by Grand Coulee Dam, the 130-mile long Roosevelt Lake offers opportunities for boating, fishing, swimming, camping, hiking and guided tours.Ross Lake National Recreation Area
Offers outdoor recreation opportunities along the upper reaches of the Skagit River, between the north and south units of North Cascades NP.Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
Located near Los Angeles, it features more than 580 miles of hiking trails and a 55-mile scenic drive through the Santa Monica Mountains.Whiskeytown-Shasta-Trinity National Recreation Area
Featuring mountainous backcountry and a large reservoir, the Whiskeytown Unit offers activities such as hiking and boating. (Administered under cooperative agreements with other Federal agencies; remaining units managed by Forest Service.)
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