Some of the more picturesque national monuments are in the western part of the country. Muir Woods, named for naturalist John Muir, is a wonder of giant redwoods in California. Arizona and New Mexico boast many national monuments. Most are natural, but some include ancient ruins such as Montezuma's Castle in Arizona and the Gila Cliff Dwellings in New Mexico.
Mount Rushmore in South Dakota is perhaps the most famous national monument in the central United States, but other states are not without their share. These include the Agate Fossil Beds of Nebraska, Effigy Mounds in Iowa and George Washington Carver's boyhood home in Missouri.
No national monument in the United States evokes as much emotion as the Statue of Liberty in New York. Most of the eastern national monuments are in New York and Washington, D.C. In New York are Castle Clinton and Fort Stanwix. In Washington, monuments include the Washington Monument and Anderson Cottage. Others include Fort Sumter in South Carolina and Castillo de San Marcos in Florida.
Alaska has four national monuments: Admiralty Island, Cape Krusenstern, Misty Fiords and Aniakchak. These are all wonders of nature. Getting there may not be not easy, but well worth it for the view and experience.
