Park activities in USA
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Oleta River State Park
- Miami, USA
- Activities › Park
Tequesta people were boating the Oleta River estuary as early as 500 BC, so you're just following in a long tradition if you canoe or kayak in this park. At almost 1000 acres, this is the largest urban park in the state and one of the best places in Miami to escape the maddening throng. Boat out to the local mangrove island, watch the eagles fly by, or just chill on the pretension-free beach. On-site Blue Moon Outdoor Center offers single kayaks ($18 per 1½ hours, $25 per three hours), tandem kayaks ($25.50 per 1½ hours, $40 per three hours) and bike rental ($18 per 1½ hours, $25 per three hours). The park is off 163rd St NE/FL-826 in Sunny Isles, about 8 miles north of…
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Biscayne National Park
The park itself offers canoe rentals, transportation to the offshore keys, snorkeling and scuba-diving trips, and glass-bottom boat viewing of the exceptional reefs. All tours require a minimum of six people, so call to make reservations. Three-hour glass-bottom boat trips ($45) depart at 10am and are very popular; if you're lucky you may spot some dolphins or manatees. Canoe rentals cost $12 per hour and kayaks $16; they're rented from 9am to 3pm. Three-hour snorkeling trips ($45) depart at 1:15pm daily; you'll have about 1½ hours in the water. Scuba trips depart at 8:30am Friday to Sunday ($99). You can also arrange a private charter boat tour around the park for $300.
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Coconino National Forest
- Sedona, USA
- Activities › Park
The best way to explore the area is by hiking, biking or horseback riding in the surrounding forest. Most day use and parking areas require a Red Rock Pass ($5/15 per day/week), which can be purchased at most area stores and lodging and at a number of self-serve kiosks at popular sites. The most scenic spots are along Hwy 89A north of Sedona, which snakes alongside Oak Creek through the heavily visited Oak Creek Canyon. The USFS visitor center is just south of the Village of Oak Creek.
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Bill Baggs Cape Florida State Park
- Miami, USA
- Activities › Park
If you don't make it to the Florida Keys, come to this park for a taste of their unique island ecosystems. The 494-acre space is a tangled clot of tropical fauna and dark mangroves – look for the 'snorkel' roots that provide air for half-submerged mangrove trees – all interconnected by sandy trails and wooden boardwalks, and surrounded by miles of pale ocean. A concession shack rents kayaks, bikes, in-line skates, beach chairs and umbrellas.
Cape Florida Lighthouse
At the state recreation area's southernmost tip, the 1845 brick lighthouse is the oldest structure in Florida (it replaced another lighthouse that was severely damaged in 1836 by during the Second Seminole…
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Hermann Park
- Houston, USA
- Activities › Park
This 445-acre park is home to playgrounds, a lake with paddleboats, the Hermann Park Miniature Train and the Houston Zoo.
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Tilden Regional Park
In the Berkeley hills, this 2079-acre park has hiking, picnicking, swimming at Lake Anza, and fun stuff for kids, including a merry-go-round and steam train.
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Mt Greylock State Reservation
Just south of North Adams, this park has trails up to Massachusetts' highest peak (3491ft), where there's a panoramic view of several ranges and, on a clear day, five different states. The park offers camping, backpack shelters and a rustic lodge; see its website for details.
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Anastasia State Recreation Area
Escape the tourist hordes at Anastasia Island's recreation area, boasting a stunning beach, vibrant dunes, bike trails, a tidal salt marsh–fringed lagoon and a campground. Inside the park, Anastasia Watersports rents kayaks, canoes and windsurfers.
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Sebastian Inlet State Park
- Florida, USA
- Activities › Park
Stretching along a narrow strip of the barrier island 18 miles south of Indialantic, with the Indian River Lagoon to one side and the Atlantic on the other, this busy park popular with fishermen, surfers, boaters and families is divided into two sections by the inlet bridge. On the north is child-safe swimming in the calm-water lagoon; on the south you'll find a marina with boat rental, a small fishing museum and an uninspiring campground ($25 per site).
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Forest Park
With over 5000 acres under its belt, this is the USA's largest park within city limits. There are more than 70 miles of trails for hikers, runners and dog-walkers, and some excellent fire roads for cyclists. The Wildwood Trail starts at the Hoyt Arboretum and winds through 30 miles of forest, with many spur trails allowing for loop hikes. Some other trailheads into Forest Park begin at the western ends of NW Thurman and NW Upshur Sts.
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Zilker Park
- Austin, USA
- Activities › Park
Barton Springs forms the centerpiece of this 351-acre park, which has trails, a nature center and botanical gardens. Rent kayaks at Zilker Park Boat Rentalsand paddle from the park out onto Lady Bird Lake.
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Wissahickon Valley Park
One of the best places to go for a run in the city is this long and narrow park, part of the Fairmount Park system; essentially a steep forested gorge with 57 miles of trails.
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Gulf Coast Visitor Center
This is the northwestern-most ranger station for Everglades National Park, and provides access to the 10,000 Islands area. Boat tours depart from the downstairs marina into the mangrove flats and green islands – if you're lucky you may see dolphins springing up beside your craft. This tangled off-shore archipelago was a major smuggling point for drugs into the mainland USA during the late 1970s and early '80s; bales of marijuana were nicknamed 'square grouper' by local fishermen. It's great fun to go kayak-ing and canoeing around here; boats can be rented from the marina, but make sure to take a map with you (they're available for free in the visitor center).
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