Looking to find some bike friendly Parks and Public Lands in your area? Check out this awesome resource from the National Parks Service to find places that might be in your backyard!
National Parks Service - Bike Friendly Parks
In this blog, we want to inspire you to head into your town or into nature and explore a bit more! According to the National Parks Foundation, more than one-third of all National Park Service (NPS) sites are located in urban areas, which gives you as a rider the unique opportunity to hit a few parks in one day and soak in all your city may have to offer! Let’s take a look at some of the different categories of sites you might find while out riding!
National Seashores: Let’s Go to the Beach!
NPS Ocean & Costal Parks
This one may seem pretty obvious to our riders on the coasts, but heading down to the local beach or waterfront can provide a much needed escape from the hustle and bustle of daily life. These National Seashores include the Pacific Coast, Atlantic Coast, and even the Great Lakes. With an eBike like our XPeak or XP 3.0 with wider tires and the Fishing Rod Holder, you can ride right down to the water (where permitted), soak up the sunshine, cast out a line, and listen to the waves rolling in!
National Memorials: History in your Backyard!
National Memorials are often sites dedicated to the memory of an individual or event. These can be things like historic murals, site markers, or statues which usually give a brief summary of the events or historical significance of the location. For example, here in Phoenix, we have tons of Memorials in our downtown space which weave the storied history of our city, from memorials remembering the Heroic WWII Navajo Code Talkers, to murals depicting NBA superstar Devin Booker.
National Recreation Areas: Get Outside and Get Lost!
These areas highlight the beauty of the great outdoors in its natural state! There are tons of National Recreation Areas in major city centers. Some of these include The Mississippi National River and Recreational Area, Gateway National Recreation Area, The Golden Gate National Recreation Areas, and The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area! Ride on down to your nearest one and enjoy all the great outdoors has to offer!
National Battlefields: Storied Grounds!
Historic battlefields paint a picture of sacrifice and dedication to this Nation. Not every city or even state has National Battlefields, but when you come upon these areas they can give you a glimpse of the events that took place under your very own feet. These sites include Antietam National Battlefield, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie, and Bunker Hill. Many of these locations will offer guided tours or even have visitor centers so you can fully immerse yourself in all the site has to offer.
National Monuments: Hard to Miss These!
National Monuments are sites that feature landmarks, buildings, or other structures of historical significance located on public lands. Sites like the Statue of Liberty in New York and George Washington’s Birthplace in Virginia fall into this category. They can give you new insight to some of the more historic landmarks that inhabit your city.
National Parks: You’ve Seen These on Postcards!
(Grand Teton National Park, WY. Lisa T.)
These are the sites that usually come to mind when you think about anything related to the National Park Service. They often are made up of wide open spaces and feature a variety of historical assets. Think of places like the Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, The Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming, or Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas. These do tend to be the more picturesque destinations. If you go to these locations be sure your eBike is all charged up and you have your Phone Mount with you so you can take in all they have to offer, take lots of pictures, and make a whole day of it!
Wherever the roads may lead you, we hope your eBike will be able to take you a little farther and let you see a little more of the natural beauty these places have to offer.
Looking for more adventures? Check out these other blogs for more inspiration!
Six Great eBike Trails in the US SouthwestSalt Lake City eBike Guide
50 Best Trails to Ride an eBike in the US