Midwest
The national park sites of the Midwest are steeped in history, wrapped in the fabric of American culture, and spectacular in their natural beauty.
From the origins of the Underground Railroad to the Gateway Arch symbolizing Western expansion, our nation's history comes alive. The natural wonders of the Midwest are as varied as the landscape. There are dramatic sandstone cliffs, shifting sand dunes, and many islands filled with native wildlife in the Great Lakes. And thousands of acres of tallgrass prairie and scenic riverways throughout the region.
Ozark Image Chosen to Represent the Midwest
An image of the 100-year old Alley Mill of the Ozark National Scenic Riverways was chosen to represent the Midwest Region on the NPS 2008 Passport Stamp Series. The photo, taken by David Dawson, will be used in the Park Service's passport program. These small passport style books are sold in most national parks across the country or online. When you visit parks be sure to stop by the visitors center and get your passport stamped.
Grant Portage featured in NPCA's Magazine
The Spring 2008 issue of National Parks features a story on Grand Portage National Monument. “A turnaround at Grand Portage” tells the story of the relationship between the Park Service and the Grand Portage Band of Chippewa. Read the article >>
Great Lakes Initiative
NPCA has partnered with the National Wildlife Federation and nearly 100 coalition partners in Great Lakes restoration efforts. Read more about the "Healing our Waters" coalition >>
Featured Parks of the Midwest:
Ozark National Scenic Riverway was the first national scenic riverway. Incorporating over 100 miles of riverway, Ozark provides visitors with opportunities to go canoeing, tubing, fishing and swimming along the Current and Jacks Fork Rivers.
Keweenaw National Historic Park preserves the history of 7,000 years of copper mining in the U.S. It is located on the Keweenaw Peninsula, a finger of land in northern Michigan, surrounded by Lake Superior. Groups associated with the park are working to save the Quincy Smelter, the most complete historic smelter site of this era in the United States.
Threats:
- Air pollution is a threat in many parks, especially in Voyageurs and Isle Royale
- Invasive species threaten our parks and wildlife, specifically in the parks of the Great Lakes
- Underfunding remains an issue for park infrastructure, operations and land acquisition.
- New diseases threaten the fish and wildlife in regional parks
