Visit the national parks that no longer exist

By Gail Marsh
Where did they go? How can some national parks no longer exist? The United States National Park Service is known for preserving vast wilderness areas, historic sites, and unique geological features. You may be surprised to know that not all national parks have stood the test of time.

Over the years, several parks and monuments have been abolished, reclassified, or transferred to other forms of management. These forgotten parks are an interesting part of America’s conservation history.

Below are some of the national parks that no longer exist. Here’s hoping once you hear about them, you’ll plan an upcoming RV trip. After all, how often can you see something that no longer exists?

National parks that no longer exist:

Smallest national park

Father Millet Cross National Monument (1925-1949)

This national monument, the smallest ever established, was located on the grounds of Old Fort Niagara in New York. It was transferred to the state of New York in 1949, and it remains part of the Old Fort Niagara State Historic Site. History enthusiasts still love visiting the region.

Second national park

Mackinac National Park (1875-1895)

You can probably guess the location of this former national park. Mackinac National Park was America’s second national park, established just a few years after Yellowstone. Located on Michigan’s Mackinac Island, the park was celebrated for its dramatic limestone formations and scenic views of the Great Lakes. However, after only 20 years, it was abolished in 1895. The park was transferred to the state of Michigan, becoming Mackinac Island State Park. Visitors today still enjoy its natural beauty, but few know it was once a national park.

Abandoned

Castle Pinckney National Monument (1933-1956)

Castle Pinckney, a small island fort in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina, was too expensive to restore. Lacking significant historical importance, it was transferred to the state in 1956. Today, it sits largely abandoned.

Montana’s first state park

Lewis and Clark Cavern National Monument (1908-1937)

Lewis and Clark Cavern National Monument, located in Montana, was deemed too costly to develop and failed to attract significant numbers of visitors. In 1937, the site was transferred to the state of Montana, where it was improved and eventually designated as Montana’s first state park. Today, it remains a popular attraction for visitors interested in exploring its limestone caves.

Colorado’s two: too expensive, too difficult to access

Holy Cross National Monument (1933-1950)

Holy Cross National Monument in Colorado protected the iconic Mount of the Holy Cross, known for its snow-filled crevices forming a cross shape. However, the site proved too costly to maintain, and it was returned to the U.S. Forest Service in 1950. It is now part of the Holy Cross Wilderness Area, drawing visitors with its natural beauty and recreational opportunities.

Wheeler National Monument (1933-1950)

Once a popular tourist destination in the early 1900s, Wheeler National Monument in Colorado suffered from declining visitation as road access to the site became difficult. It was transferred to the U.S. Forest Service and is now part of the Rio Grande National Forest.

Christmas park

Chattanooga National Cemetery (1933-1944)

Established during the New Deal era, Chattanooga National Cemetery was the only National Park unit initiated on Christmas Day. However, after 11 years under National Park Service management, the property was returned to the War Department. It now functions solely as a military cemetery.

Big game

Sullys Hill National Park (1904-1931)

Located in North Dakota, Sullys Hill National Park struggled to attract visitors and attention. By 1931, it was delisted as a national park and repurposed as a big game preserve. Today, the site is administered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service and is part of the National Wildlife Refuge System. Visitors can still see bison, elk, and other wildlife.

Now private

Mar-a-Lago National Historic Site (1972-1980)

Mar-a-Lago in Florida was originally intended to serve as a presidential retreat but was too costly to maintain. It was returned to private ownership, and Donald Trump later purchased it, converting it into a private club.

John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts (1972-1994)

The popular Kennedy Center was briefly under the management of the National Park Service. Its focus on performing arts conflicted with the agency’s traditional responsibilities. In 1994, management was transferred to the Kennedy Center Trustees.

Removed/repurposed

Shoshone Cavern National Monument (1909-1954)

This cavern near Cody, Wyoming, was costly to develop and overshadowed by nearby Yellowstone National Park. It was ultimately transferred to the city of Cody and removed from the National Park System in 1954.

Fossil Cycad National Monument (1922-1956)

Once home to an abundance of fossilized cycads, this site in South Dakota lost its importance after collectors removed most of the visible fossils. It was transferred to the Bureau of Land Management and is now used for grazing.

Verendrye National Monument (1917-1956)

Named for the French explorer Pierre Gaultier de Varennes, the Verendrye National Monument in North Dakota was removed from the park system due to its lack of historical significance. It was renamed Crow Flies High Overlook and is now a regional tourist spot with impressive views of Lake Sakakawea.

White Plains National Battlefield Site (1933-1956)

This Revolutionary War battlefield in New York was never fully developed, and the National Park Service quietly removed it from its inventory in 1956.

St. Thomas National Historic Site (1960-1975)

Located in the U.S. Virgin Islands, this site was never fully developed by the National Park Service. It was eventually transferred to the Virgin Islands government, and its buildings were repurposed for other uses.

Others

There are ten additional former national parks scattered throughout our country. These include:

• Atlanta Campaign National Historic Site (1944-1950)
• Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area (1963-1968)
• Lake Texoma Recreation Area (1946-1949)
• Millerton Lake National Recreation Area (1945-1957)
• New Echota Marker National Memorial (1933-1950)
• Oklahoma City National Memorial (1997-2004)
• Papago Saguaro National Monument (1914-1930)
• Shadow Mountain Recreation Area (1952-1979)
• Shasta Lake Recreation Area (1945-1948)
• The National Visitor Center (1968-1981)

Worth a visit

What a list! Many of these historical and beautiful places are well worth a visit. These parks and monuments, though no longer part of the National Park System, serve as a reminder of the changing priorities and challenges faced by land management agencies. Consider adding one or more of these places to your travel plans.

Have you visited any of these national parks that no longer exist in the system? Tell us about your favorites in the comments below.

##RVT1178