10 Best U.S. National Monuments to Visit Before You Die
Everyone knows about Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon, but did you know the U.S. is home to over 130 national monuments just waiting to be explored? America is packed with jaw-dropping natural wonders, historic sites, and culturally rich landmarks. These incredible sites tell stories of history, nature, and human achievement.
Some monuments take you back in time to battles that shaped the nation, while others leave you in awe of Mother Nature’s masterpiece. So, without further ado, here are 15 of the best U.S. national monuments you absolutely need to visit before you die.
Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming
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This one’s a massive, nearly symmetrical rock formation, rising 1,267 feet above the Wyoming plain. It’s so strange-looking that some people believe it was created by aliens. While Close Encounters of the Third Kind made this monument famous in pop culture, Native American tribes have long considered it sacred. The Devils Tower National Monument offers an unforgettable experience for hikers and climbers alike.
Giant Sequoia National Monument, California
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If you’ve ever wanted to feel really small, step into a forest where trees grow over 250 feet tall and 35 feet wide. This monument protects some of the largest trees on Earth—giant sequoias—that have stood for thousands of years. Walking among these towering giants is both humbling and awe-inspiring.
Fort Matanzas & Castillo de San Marcos, Florida
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Apart from theme parks and beaches, Florida is also home to some of the oldest European history in the U.S. Castillo de San Marcos. Built in 1672, this is the oldest masonry fort in the country. The Fort Matanzas once guarded Spanish territory against British invaders. Walking through these well-preserved forts feels like stepping back in time.
Pullman National Monument, Illinois
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Ever wondered what life was like for the people who built America’s railroads? Pullman National Monument, located just outside Chicago, will demonstrate that perfectly. It is a fully preserved 19th-century industrial town, complete with historic buildings, workers’ homes, and the famous Pullman train cars. It’s a must-visit for history enthusiasts who want a glimpse into the American labor movement.
Waco Mammoth National Monument, Texas
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At Waco Mammoth National Monument, visitors can see the remains of 16 mammoths that likely perished in a flash flood thousands of years ago. With an active dig site and guided tours, this is the closest thing to stepping into an Ice Age time machine.
Pipestone National Monument, Minnesota
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For centuries, Native American tribes have quarried the deep red stone here to craft ceremonial pipes, which were used in spiritual and political gatherings. Pipestone National Monument is a stunning natural site with waterfalls and prairie landscapes, and it also has a place of deep cultural significance.
Admiralty Island National Monument, Alaska
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If you thought Yellowstone had a lot of bears, Admiralty Island can surprise you. This place is home to one of the densest populations of brown bears in the world. The Indigenous Tlingit people call it Kootznoowoo, meaning “fortress of the bears,” and the name fits perfectly. You can take a floatplane from Juneau and watch massive brown bears catch salmon right in front of you.
Bears Ears National Monument, Utah
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This rugged landscape is sacred to many Native American tribes and is home to over 100,000 archaeological sites, including petroglyphs, cliff dwellings, and ancient roads. Whether you’re hiking through its red rock canyons or standing beneath the towering buttes that give it its name, Bears Ears feels both mysterious and deeply spiritual.
Dinosaur National Monument, Colorado & Utah
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If you’ve ever wanted to touch real dinosaur fossils embedded in rock, this is the place to do it. Dinosaur National Monument has thousands of prehistoric bones, many still in the rock where they were discovered. But it’s not just about fossils. The monument also has breathtaking canyons, whitewater rafting, and ancient petroglyphs carved into the rock.
Mount Rushmore National Memorial, South Dakota
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Mount Rushmore features the towering faces of four great presidents—George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Theodore Roosevelt, and Abraham Lincoln—carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota. This site represents American perseverance, unity, and progress. It’s a tribute to the nation’s past, standing tall for generations to come.
Gold Butte National Monument, Nevada
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If you love red rock landscapes but hate crowds, skip Zion and head to Gold Butte instead. This remote Nevada monument is full of bizarre rock formations, ancient petroglyphs, and even a ghost town. Just be prepared for some rugged roads. You’ll need a high-clearance vehicle to explore the best spots.
Mount St. Helens Volcanic National Monument, Washington
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In 1980, Mount St. Helens erupted, changing the landscape forever. Today, you can visit the blast zone and see how nature is slowly reclaiming the land. Hike to the summit if you dare, or explore the massive Ape Cave Lava Tube, one of the longest lava tubes in North America.
Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Montana
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This battlefield marks the 1876 clash between Lakota Sioux, Northern Cheyenne, and Arapaho warriors—led by Sitting Bull and Crazy Horse—against General Custer’s U.S. Army forces. Known as “Custer’s Last Stand,” it was a pivotal moment in Native American resistance. Today, the site honors both Native warriors and soldiers, offering a powerful glimpse into history.
Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, New Mexico
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Built by the Mogollon people over 700 years ago, these impressive cliff dwellings are some of the best-preserved in the Southwest. You can actually walk inside these ancient homes, imagining what life was like centuries before European settlers arrived.
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument, Maryland
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Dedicated to one of America’s greatest heroes, this monument preserves the landscapes where Harriet Tubman helped enslaved people escape to freedom. You can follow the same routes she used, visit her childhood home, and gain a deeper understanding of her extraordinary bravery.