Pinnacles National Park (United States)
America's newest national park was formed in January 2013 to preserve a mountainous area of central California renowned for its heavily eroded rock formations, the result of 23 million years of fire, ice and upset along an ancient volcanic field. Some visitors come to stare in awe at the bizarre rock spires or beguiling wildflowers, which are pollinated by an astounding 400 species of bees. Others scour the sky to spot the endangered California condor or dip into caves to view 13 species of bats (among them, the largest colony of Townsend's big-eared bats this side of the Mexican border). Whatever the motivation, Pinnacles National Park offers 32 miles of trails for visitors to get lost and explore.
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