Great Courses: The Wonders of America's State Parks

Join Steve Rindahl and other facilitators as we learn about different state parks across America! The class will start with a short video on an individual state park, followed by a group discussion. This is a summer class that will run from June through August. Any course videos not watched during the summer (or if you happen to miss a week) can be viewed on Hoopla.

You can join the class at any time and you only need to register once. Below is the course overview, along with the videos selected from the course.

Course Overview:

Enormous mountain ranges and breathtaking gorges. Wild sea shores and lazy rivers. Ghost towns and battlefields. Pristine lakes and coral reefs. Not to mention nearly 25,000 campsites, 52,000 miles of hiking trails, over 300 marinas, and hundreds of pools and ski slopes and golf courses. Encompassing more than 18 million acres of land, America's state parks feature a variety of adventures that is nothing short of astounding.

There's so much more to America's natural wonders than the Grand Canyon and Old Faithful. In fact, if you're looking for a remarkable treasure trove of wilderness, wildlife, and recreation, look no further than your own backyard—within one of the more than 8,000 state parks across the United States.

Whether it's Niagara Falls in New York, Pennekamp Coral Reef in the Florida Keys, or the redwood state parks of northern California, America's state-managed lands offer something for every kind of visitor. Stopping for a day trip? Camping out for an entire week? Traveling from the comfort of your favorite armchair? No matter what your passion, sense of adventure, or budget is, you'll find a state park that suits your needs and represents a powerful lesson in America's natural and human heritage. It's one thing to read about America's story—it's another thing entirely to actually live it.

So, what's the best way to get the most out of your visit to these incredible places? There's no better person to ask than travel journalist Joe Yogerst, a writer for National Geographic Books who has spent his career exploring the amazing landmarks on display at state parks. And in The Wonders of America's State Parks, he guides you on a riveting adventure through more than 100 state wilderness areas stretching from New England to the Pacific Northwest to the Hawaiian Islands. You'll learn how these state parks came into existence, what makes them such a special part of America's story, and how to maximize your experience, whether you're looking for insights, panoramic views, or a rejuvenating hike. Mr. Yogerst's 24 lectures will infuse you with the same enthusiasm he shares for these awesome natural and recreational wonders.

You can view the full course description and all of the video topics here.

Video Topics:

June 2: Niagara Falls: America's Oldest State Park

June 9: New York's Adirondacks: "Forever Wild"

June 16: Exploring New Hampshire's White Mountains

June 23: Southern Appalachian Peaks and Valleys

June 30: The Florida Keys: Tropical Paradise Parks

July 7: The group will not meet on July 7

July 14: The group will not meet on July 14

July 21: West Texas: Where the West is Still Wild

July 28: The Great Lakes: Back from the Brink

August 4: The Black Hills: Nature and Native Heritage

August 11: Southwest Red Rock and Desert Canyon Parks

August 18: Big Blue: The Beauty of Lake Tahoe

August 25: California's Coastal Redwood Parks

September 1: Alaska's State Parks: The Last Frontier