Skip to main content

Parks & Natural Areas on Route 66

Continental Divide

1. Continental Divide

1 NM-122, Continental Divide, NM

Geographic high point where waters flow to opposite coasts.

Parks & Natural Areas Scenic Overlooks
The Blue Hole

2. The Blue Hole

1085 Blue Hole Rd, Santa Rosa, NM

Crystal-clear natural spring and popular diving spot.

Parks & Natural Areas River / Lake Access
Sitgreaves Pass - AZ

3. Sitgreaves Pass - AZ

Historic Rte 66, Golden Valley, AZ

Mountain pass with winding roads and sweeping vistas.

Parks & Natural Areas Scenic Overlooks
Funks Grove

4. Funks Grove

Funks Grove, McLean, IL

Historic maple grove and natural area on Route 66.

Parks & Natural Areas Trailheads / Trails
Shaffer Fish Bowl

5. Shaffer Fish Bowl

Oatman Highway, Golden Valley, AZ

Natural rock formation resembling a giant fish bowl.

Parks & Natural Areas Natural Formations
Millenium Park

6. Millenium Park

201 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL

Iconic public park home to Cloud Gate, outdoor art, and performances.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
Forest Park

7. Forest Park

5595 Grand Dr, St. Louis, MO

Large urban park home to museums, trails, and Route 66 landmarks.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
Route 66 State Park

8. Route 66 State Park

97 N Outer Rd, Eureka, MO

Park with trails, picnic areas, and Route 66 memorabilia at the visitor center.

Parks & Natural Areas State Parks
Birthplace of Route 66 Park

9. Birthplace of Route 66 Park

1200 W College St, Springfield, MO

Park marking the official birthplace of Route 66.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
Petrified Forest NP

10. Petrified Forest NP

1 Park Rd, Petrified Forest National Park, AZ

National park featuring fossilized wood and scenic badlands.

Parks & Natural Areas Trailheads / Trails
Meteor Crater

11. Meteor Crater

Meteor Crater Rd, Winslow, AZ

Meteorite impact site with trails, viewpoints, and a visitor center.

Parks & Natural Areas Trailheads / Trails
Grant Park

12. Grant Park

337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL

Major downtown park cluster with fountains, art and skyline views.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
Maramec Spring Park

13. Maramec Spring Park

21880 Maramec Spring Dr, Saint James, MO

Park with trout hatchery, spring-fed streams, and nature trails.

Parks & Natural Areas Trailheads / Trails
Grand Falls

14. Grand Falls

5685 Riverside Dr, Joplin, MO

Scenic waterfall and natural swimming hole on Shoal Creek.

Parks & Natural Areas Waterfalls
Howard "Pappy" Litch Park

15. Howard "Pappy" Litch Park

500-598 S Main St, Galena, KS

Small community park with benches, shade, and Route 66 charm.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
Schermerhorn Park & Cave

16. Schermerhorn Park & Cave

3501 S Main St, Galena, KS

Natural area with hiking trails, a historic cave, and a local nature center.

Parks & Natural Areas Picnic Areas Trailheads / Trails
Amboy Crater

17. Amboy Crater

Amboy Crater Rim Trail, Amboy, CA

Extinct cinder cone volcano offering hiking and views.

Parks & Natural Areas Natural Formations
Lurie Garden

18. Lurie Garden

220 E Monroe St, Chicago, IL

A serene 2.5-acre garden in the heart of Millennium Park celebrating Chicago's transformation from marshland to modern city.

Parks & Natural Areas Gardens
Jensen Point Overlook

19. Jensen Point Overlook

1039 E Osage St, Pacific, MO

Scenic overlook offering panoramic views of Pacific and the Meramec River Valley.

Parks & Natural Areas Scenic Overlooks
The Shaw Nature Reserve

20. The Shaw Nature Reserve

307 Pinetum Loop Rd, Gray Summit, MO

Expansive reserve with hiking trails, native plant gardens, and exhibits.

Parks & Natural Areas Trailheads / Trails
Onondaga Cave State Park

21. Onondaga Cave State Park

7556 Hwy H, Leasburg, MO

Beautiful Missouri state park featuring caves, camping, and nature trails.

Parks & Natural Areas State Parks
McLain Rogers Park

22. McLain Rogers Park

Jaycee Ln, Clinton, OK

Public park with Route 66 landmarks and community events.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
Owl Rock

23. Owl Rock

Old Rte 66 Rd, Laguna, NM

Natural rock formation resembling an owl.

Parks & Natural Areas Natural Formations
Ed Smalley Centennial Park

24. Ed Smalley Centennial Park

114 W Main St, Stroud, OK

Public park commemorating Ed Smalley.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
Pecos National Historical Park

Preserved ruins and trails of the Pecos Pueblo and mission.

Parks & Natural Areas Trailheads / Trails
Walnut Canyon National Monument

26. Walnut Canyon National Monument

3 Walnut Canyon Road, Flagstaff, AZ

Ancient cliff dwellings and hiking trails.

Parks & Natural Areas Trailheads / Trails
Ashfork Park

27. Ashfork Park

362-372 Lewis Ave, Ash Fork, AZ

Local park offering shade, walking paths, and picnic tables.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
Bagdad Tree

28. Bagdad Tree

National Trails Hwy Route 66, Ludlow, CA

Solitary symbolic tree near the former town of Bagdad.

Parks & Natural Areas Natural Formations
Los Angeles County Arboretum

29. Los Angeles County Arboretum

301 N Baldwin Ave, Arcadia, CA

Historic 127-acre botanical garden with wildlife and the Queen Anne Cottage.

Parks & Natural Areas Gardens
Palisades Park

30. Palisades Park

Ocean Ave, Santa Monica, CA

Scenic bluff-top park with ocean views and walking paths.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
Sugar Grove Nature Center

31. Sugar Grove Nature Center

4532 N 725 East Rd, McLean, IL

Nature center with educational programs and trails.

Parks & Natural Areas Trailheads / Trails
Historic Rte 66 Trail

32. Historic Rte 66 Trail

Historic Rte 66 Trail, Towanda, IL

Walking trail on former Route 66 alignment with murals and signs.

Parks & Natural Areas Trailheads / Trails
Maggie Daley Park

33. Maggie Daley Park

337 E Randolph St, Chicago, IL

Expansive downtown park with gardens, winding paths, play spaces and skyline views.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
Riverwalk

34. Riverwalk

22 E Wacker Dr, Chicago, IL

Scenic urban river promenade lined with views, dining and activity.

Parks & Natural Areas Trailheads / Trails
Oak Street Beach

35. Oak Street Beach

1000 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Classic downtown beach framed by high-rises, lakefront paths and some of Chicago’s best skyline views.

Parks & Natural Areas River / Lake Access
Route 66 Park

36. Route 66 Park

920 N Broadway St, Joliet, IL

Mini-park with benches, statues, and signs celebrating Route 66 history.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
North Avenue Beach

37. North Avenue Beach

1603 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Iconic Chicago beach known for skyline views, volleyball, lakefront energy and people watching.

Parks & Natural Areas River / Lake Access
Dinosaur Rock

38. Dinosaur Rock

Acoma Pueblo, Acoma Pueblo, NM

Large rock formation resembling a dinosaur along Route 66.

Parks & Natural Areas Natural Formations
Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden

39. Rancho Santa Ana Botanical Garden

1500 N College Ave, Claremont, CA

Botanical garden featuring diverse native California plant species.

Parks & Natural Areas Gardens
Rotary Centennial Park

40. Rotary Centennial Park

601 E St NW, Miami, OK

Large park area for recreation.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks Parks Picnic Areas
Riverton City Park (Route 66 Stop Area)

Small park area accessible from Route 66 offering rest and photo opportunities.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
Howard Park

42. Howard Park

2501 Southwest Blvd, Tulsa, OK

Community park along the corridor in Tulsa.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
Bless Me Ultima Park

43. Bless Me Ultima Park

913 Blue Hole Rd, Santa Rosa, NM

Community park honoring author Rudolfo Anaya.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
The Palms

44. The Palms

304 W Broadway St, Needles, CA

Tall palm trees line this historic Route 66 street corner.

Parks & Natural Areas Natural Formations
Pasadena Arroyo Parks and Recreation District

45. Pasadena Arroyo Parks and Recreation District

Arroyo Blvd corridor, Pasadena, CA

Public recreation district with parks and green spaces in Pasadena.

Parks & Natural Areas City Parks
Lower Arroyo Seco Historic District

46. Lower Arroyo Seco Historic District

Arroyo Blvd corridor south of Colorado Blvd, Pasadena, CA

A residential historic district featuring 78 Arts and Crafts-influenced homes near the Arroyo Seco, designed by notable architects including Henry Mather Greene.

Parks & Natural Areas Trailheads / Trails
Ohio Street Beach

47. Ohio Street Beach

600 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Compact urban beach near downtown, favored for swimming, lakefront lounging and dramatic skyline views.

Parks & Natural Areas River / Lake Access
Montrose Beach

48. Montrose Beach

4400 N Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Expansive North Side beach popular for recreation, birding, boating access and a relaxed neighborhood feel.

Parks & Natural Areas River / Lake Access
63rd Street Beach

49. 63rd Street Beach

6300 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Historic South Side beach offering broad sands, cultural history, lake access and beautiful open-water views.

Parks & Natural Areas River / Lake Access
Foster Avenue Beach

50. Foster Avenue Beach

5200 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Spacious North Side beach known for sunsets, lakefront recreation, picnic areas and a laid-back local vibe.

Parks & Natural Areas River / Lake Access
31st Street Beach

51. 31st Street Beach

3100 S Lake Shore Drive, Chicago, IL

Scenic harborfront beach with marina access, skyline views, walking paths and a relaxed waterfront setting.

Parks & Natural Areas River / Lake Access