Explorers and expeditions have played a significant role in the history and development of the United States, and many national and state parks commemorate and preserve sites and stories related to these early explorers and expeditions. These sites often include museums, exhibits, and educational programs that provide visitors with an understanding of the history and significance of the explorers and expeditions that passed through or explored the regions they are located in.
Some examples of national and state parks that highlight explorers and expeditions include:
- Lewis and Clark National Historical Park in Oregon and Washington, which preserves the sites associated with the Lewis and Clark Expedition of 1804-1806.
- Santa Fe National Historic Trail in Missouri, Kansas, Colorado, Oklahoma, and New Mexico, which follows the route of the Santa Fe Expedition of 1821-1822, which was the first commercial expedition to Santa Fe.
- Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail in Arizona and California, which follows the route of the Anza Expedition of 1775-1776, which established the first overland route between California and Arizona.
- De Soto National Memorial in Florida, which preserves the sites associated with the expedition of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto who explored the southeastern United States in 1539-1543.
- The California National Historic Trail that goes through California, Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Wyoming, which follows the route of the California Trail of 1841-1869, which was used by pioneers during the California Gold Rush.
- The Oregon National Historic Trail that goes through Idaho, Oregon, and Wyoming, which follows the route of the Oregon Trail of 1843-1869, which was used by pioneers who traveled west to settle in the Pacific Northwest.
These are just a few examples, but there are many other national and state parks throughout the United States that highlight explorers and expeditions. These sites provide an important opportunity to understand the history of the exploration and settlement of the United States, the struggles and the contributions of the early explorers, and how it shaped the nation as it is today.