{"id":38201,"date":"2018-09-07T15:17:36","date_gmt":"2018-09-07T22:17:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/?p=38201"},"modified":"2023-11-20T19:46:42","modified_gmt":"2023-11-21T03:46:42","slug":"13-public-lands-you-might-have-missed","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/13-public-lands-you-might-have-missed","title":{"rendered":"13 Public Lands You Might Have Missed"},"content":{"rendered":"

Filled-up campsites, parking woes and crowded trails are just part of getting outdoors sometimes. Instead of going to the parks everyone knows about this <\/span>National Public Lands Day<\/span><\/a>, why not hit some less-crowded gems? We asked REI employees to tell us about their favorite public lands<\/span>\u2014the ones <\/span>that likely aren\u2019t on your radar. They each offer their best spots and their pro tips for visiting. We have to ask, though: Can you keep these lesser-known places hush-hush?<\/span><\/p>\n

Fort Tilden<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

Queens, New York<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"

Photo Courtesy: Melissa Abramson<\/p><\/div>\n

Best for: <\/b>Running, sea kayaking, sea SUPing <\/span><\/p>\n

Located within the limits of New York City, the park is an expansive beach landscape that is accessible by public transportation or bicycle, yet feels removed from all city energy. Established in 1917 as a U.S. Army Coast Artillery Post, it became part of the Gateway National Recreation Area in the late 1970s. If you\u2019re looking for peace and solitude and plenty of watery adventure, head to Fort Tilden today.<\/span><\/p>\n

New York, NY, Outdoor School Market Manager Melissa Abramson\u2019s pro tip: \u201c<\/span><\/b>Avoid the crowds at Jacob Riis Park and head toward <\/span>Breezy Point<\/span><\/a>. You\u2019ll be relatively alone on a beautiful beach that is teeming with dunes, sea birds and crashing waves.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sourlands<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

Hillsborough Township, New Jersey<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Best for:<\/b> Hiking, mountain biking, trail running, bouldering and horseback riding<\/span><\/p>\n

The Sourlands, as the locals call them, feature hilly trails and roads in an otherwise flat state. <\/span>Sourland Mountain<\/span> offers 17 miles of forested land in the midst of the 90-square-mile region that\u2019s sparsely populated. Hikers, mountain bikers, horseback riders and trail runners enjoy the trails while folks who like to boulder take advantage of the rocky terrain. The <\/span>Ridge Trail<\/span>, a short, five-mile trail, is Kathleen Whitman\u2019s go-to spot for hiking. <\/span>Roaring Rocks<\/span> is where she heads to brush up on her bouldering skills.<\/span><\/p>\n

Princeton, NJ, Outdoor School Market Coordinator Kathleen Witman\u2019s pro tip: \u201c<\/span><\/b>Since New Jersey is the most densely populated state, trailhead parking fills up fast at these local gems. It\u2019s best to arrive before 9am on a weekend and carpool, road bike or head there during the week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Mallows Bay<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

Nanjemoy, Maryland<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Best for:<\/b> Kayaking<\/span><\/p>\n

A<\/span>pproximately 30 miles south of D.C. on the Potomac River rests Mallows Bay. Ships built by the Emergency Fleet Corporation between 1917 and 1919 were sunk here once they were no longer needed. <\/span>It\u2019s the largest ship graveyard in the Western Hemisphere, and it\u2019s only an hour from D.C. Be on the lookout<\/span>\u2014<\/span>it\u2019s been taken over by nature and it\u2019s now a haven for bald eagles, osprey nests and fish.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mid-Atlantic Outdoor School Market Manager Matt Liddle\u2019s pro tip:<\/b> \u201cREI grant funds just helped to produce an amazing <\/span>paddler\u2019s guide<\/span><\/a> to Mallows Bay with all the tips and tricks! Also, Mallows is on a short list to become the first national marine sanctuary in the Chesapeake Bay watershed.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lake Raleigh<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

Raleigh, North Carolina<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Best for: <\/b>Running, hiking, paddling and disc golf<\/span><\/p>\n

Hidden in North Carolina State University\u2019s Centennial Campus, right along the Walnut Creek Trail, is Lake Raleigh. While cyclists and students know about this gem, the general public hasn\u2019t been tipped off quite yet. REI just started leading hiking and paddling classes and outings there this summer\u2014including sunset and full moon paddle tours and hikes. Hike around the lake, play disc golf, boat or fish. Grills and picnic tables are available for general use. <\/span><\/p>\n

Raleigh, NC, Outdoor School Market Coordinator Nick Cross\u2019 pro tip:\u00a0\u201c<\/span><\/b>The greenway by bike is definitely the best way to approach the lake. From there it\u2019s a short ride to Trophy Brewing & Taproom and the State Farmers Market, where you can pick up fresh produce, local bread and pastries, or order fresh a huge platter of North Carolina\u2019s seafood.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Anne Springs Close Greenway<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

Fort Mill, South Carolina<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"

Photo Courtesy: Joy Shuck<\/p><\/div>\n

Best for: <\/b>Hiking, mountain biking, trail running, horseback riding, paddling, camping, fishing, geocaching<\/span><\/p>\n

This 2,100-acre nature preserve is located about 15 minutes from the REI in Pineville, SC. But you\u2019ll forget that you\u2019re anywhere near a big city when you\u2019re exploring the 40 miles of trails surrounded by beautiful forest with refreshing streams and a 28-acre lake. There is even a small waterfall flowing over natural rocks below the spillway from Lake Haigler.<\/span><\/p>\n

Charlotte, NC, Outdoor School Market Coordinator Joy Shuck\u2019s pro tip:<\/b> \u201cLake Haigler is the most direct access to my favorite trails. One of my favorite discoveries, not on the map, is Campbell\u2019s Corner, not far off the <\/span>Hickory Trail<\/span>. There is a lone picnic table in the middle of the forest with towering mature trees, wildflowers and clear streams with rocks for personality.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Audubon Acres<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

Chattanooga, Tennessee<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"

Photo Courtesy: Haley Swank<\/p><\/div>\n

Best for:<\/b> Hiking, running and flat-water paddling, plus scouting, naturalist and youth outdoor education programs<\/span><\/p>\n

This 130-acre wildlife sanctuary features the South Chickamauga Creek, which runs directly down the middle of the property. The forests are made up of mixed, leafy green deciduous trees on the slopes and ridges. And the wildflowers are stunning in the spring, while the leaf colors are mesmerizing in the fall. You\u2019ll want to check out the Spring Frog Cabin, thought to have been built in the mid-1700s by Native Americans and modified later by settlers who farmed the property in the years that followed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chattanooga, TN, Outdoor School Market Coordinator Haley Swank\u2019s pro tip:<\/b> \u201cBring binoculars. There are loads of birds. Also, they have boats to rent. The South Chickamauga Creek is really great for being in the middle of a city.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Zaleski State Forest<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

Zaleski, Ohio<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"

Photo Courtesy: DanaK~WaterPenny of flickr.com<\/p><\/div>\n

Best for:<\/b> Backpacking, canoeing, kayaking, mountain biking and wildlife watching<\/span><\/p>\n

Visit the Appalachian foothills in the Zaleski State Forest. The more than 28,000 acres of land feature 31 miles of bridle trails, 26 miles of backpacking trails and three backpacking campsites. Another cool feature? <\/span>Lake Hope State Park<\/span><\/a>, a rugged, heavily forested region, lies completely within the state forest, making it a public land within a public land.<\/span><\/p>\n

Columbus, OH, Outdoor School Market Coordinator Abby Rhodebeck\u2019s pro tip: <\/b>\u201cForest boundaries are marked with yellow blazes. And don\u2019t forget to check out the <\/span>Moonville Tunnel<\/span><\/a> that is supposedly haunted.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Middlefork Savanna<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

Lake Forest, Illinois <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"

Photo Courtesy: the Lake County Forest Preserves<\/p><\/div>\n

Best for: <\/b>Hiking, walking, birdwatching<\/span><\/p>\n

The park features a mix of oak savanna and woodlands, wet and mesic prairies, and sedge meadows and marshes. One 25-acre area is considered to be the highest quality oak savanna\u2014once one of the most common vegetation types in the Midwest but now endangered\u2014in the nation, and is recognized as a globally threatened ecosystem. On a wet afternoon of hiking through the preserve, Emily Leu spotted three great blue herons and dozens of other beautiful and rare species enjoying this paradise sandwiched between suburbs.<\/span><\/p>\n

Chicago, IL, Outdoor School Market Coordinator Emily Leu\u2019s pro tip: <\/b>\u201cVisit this place on a rainy day and you are bound to see an outrageous number of birds.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Superior National Forest<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

Duluth, Minnesota <\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Best for:<\/b> Backpacking, paddling, camping<\/span><\/p>\n

Enjoy four million acres of mixed conifer-hardwood forest punctuated by exposed ancient bedrock and pristine lakes and rivers adjacent to the great Lake Superior in the Arrowhead region. While it\u2019s home to the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, which is the most visited wilderness area in the country, most people don\u2019t recognize <\/span>Voyageurs National Park<\/span><\/a> and a good chunk of the <\/span>Superior Hiking Trail<\/span> as prime delights on this piece of public land. <\/span><\/p>\n

Bloomington, MN, Sales Lead Joe Jackson\u2019s pro tip: \u201c<\/b>The best time to go is early July. Because the blueberries. I might have mentioned those. Tell people about the blueberries.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Staunton State Park<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

Pine<\/span><\/i>, Colorado<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Best for: <\/b>Rock climbing, trail running, hiking, camping, snowshoeing, Nordic skiing, fatbiking<\/span><\/p>\n

Experience high grassy meadows at more than 8,000 feet in elevation and tall granite cliffs that tower an additional 2,000 feet into the sky at Staunton State Park. This is Colorado\u2019s newest state park, having opened in 2013, and it\u2019s relatively overlooked compared to most other parks near the Front Range. This means you don\u2019t run into the overcrowding most other parks experience. <\/span><\/p>\n

Denver, CO, Outdoor School Market Coordinator Bryan Johnson\u2019s pro tip: \u201c<\/b>The ride\/hike\/run out to <\/span>Elk <\/span>Falls<\/span><\/a> is totally worth it. Do it in late September to catch the aspens changing color.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Trampas Lakes<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

Near <\/span><\/i>Chimayo, New Mexico<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

Best for: <\/b>Hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, snowshoeing<\/span><\/p>\n

Located just 45 miles from downtown Santa Fe, the Trampas Lakes area is filled with stunning vistas. The three lake basins in the area are set against high mountain ridges in the <\/span>Sangre de Cristo Range<\/span>. It is a beautiful option for fall hiking and a great (but strenuous) location for snowshoeing during the winter.<\/span><\/p>\n

Albuquerque, NM, Outdoor School Market Coordinator Robert Moser\u2019s pro tips:<\/b> \u201cTo get even more off the beaten path, head over the ridge to the west of the lakes and drop into <\/span>San Leonardo Lakes<\/span><\/a>. This is a very strenuous hike\/scramble and may be impassable until mid-late summer, depending on snow conditions and\/or summer afternoon storms. The views along the top of the ridge are incredible!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Desert National Wildlife Refuge<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

Las Vegas, Nevada<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"

Photo Courtesy: Ashley Lee<\/p><\/div>\n

Best for: <\/b>Hiking, backpacking, off-roading, camping, exploring, bighorn sheep viewing<\/span><\/p>\n

Find yourself in the middle of nowhere at the Desert National Wildlife Refuge. Discover six major mountain ranges and seven distinct life zones, all quite close to Las Vegas. At 1.6 million acres, this is the largest wildlife refuge outside of Alaska. It was designated in 1936 to provide protection for desert bighorn sheep. It\u2019s also home to 320 bird species.<\/span><\/p>\n

Boca Park, NV, Outdoor School Market Coordinator Ashlee Lee\u2019s pro tip:<\/b> \u201cBring your favorite snack to share in the <\/span>Hidden Forest Cabin<\/span><\/a>.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Ring Mountain<\/b><\/a><\/h4>\n

Belvedere Tiburon, California<\/span><\/i><\/p>\n

\"\"

Photo Courtesy: Jenny Avalos<\/p><\/div>\n

Best for: <\/b>Bouldering, hiking, trail running<\/span><\/p>\n

The quality of the rock is amazing at Ring Mountain<\/span>\u2014<\/span>it\u2019s a climber\u2019s paradise. On the way to Ring Mountain, you\u2019ll find views of the skyline of San Francisco and perhaps even the fog rolling over the hills. If you have the time, hit <\/span>Muir Woods<\/span><\/a> and <\/span>Stinson Beach<\/span><\/a> all in one fun-packed day.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bay Area, CA, Outdoor School Market Coordinator Jenny Avalos\u2019 pro tip:<\/b> \u201cIf you want the rocks all to yourself, go during the week in the afternoon. If you want to have great views and see the beautiful sunset, plan on going in the evening. Layer up though, it can get pretty cold! The tall section of Turtle Rock will have shade in the morning and Split Rock will have shade before sunset. Split Rock is perfect for beginners, whereas Turtle Rock is great for intermediate to advanced climbers.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<\/span>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Filled-up campsites, parking woes and crowded trails are just part of getting outdoors sometimes. Instead of going to the parks everyone knows about this National Public Lands Day, why not hit some less-crowded gems? We asked REI employees to tell us about their favorite public lands\u2014the ones that likely aren\u2019t on your radar. They each […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":22,"featured_media":38323,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[387],"tags":[707,727,1056,1540,298,1528,1541,656,1542,1484],"internal-tag":[1678],"class_list":["post-38201","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-hike","tag-hiking","tag-latest-posts","tag-midwest","tag-mountain-west","tag-north-carolina","tag-northeast","tag-pacific-west","tag-public-lands","tag-south","tag-staff-society","internal-tag-pre-redirect-hiking"],"parsely":{"version":"1.1.0","canonical_url":"https:\/\/rei.com\/blog\/hike\/13-public-lands-you-might-have-missed","smart_links":{"inbound":0,"outbound":0},"traffic_boost_suggestions_count":0,"meta":{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org","@type":"NewsArticle","headline":"13 Public Lands You Might Have Missed","url":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/13-public-lands-you-might-have-missed","mainEntityOfPage":{"@type":"WebPage","@id":"http:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/hike\/13-public-lands-you-might-have-missed"},"thumbnailUrl":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/09\/37780736292_fe9235514e_k.jpg?resize=150%2C150","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https:\/\/www.rei.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2018\/09\/37780736292_fe9235514e_k.jpg?fit=2048%2C1536"},"articleSection":"Hike","author":[{"@type":"Person","name":"Aer Parris-Hoshour"}],"creator":["Aer Parris-Hoshour"],"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Uncommon Path \u2013 An REI Co-op Publication","logo":""},"keywords":["hiking","latest posts","midwest","mountain west","north carolina","northeast","pacific west","public lands","south","staff society"],"dateCreated":"2018-09-07T22:17:36Z","datePublished":"2018-09-07T22:17:36Z","dateModified":"2023-11-21T03:46:42Z"},"rendered":"