Native American Heritage Month offers all Americans the opportunity to recognize and honor those who have long understood the value of wilderness and who have lived amongst it for numerous generations.

In addition to providing magnificent spots for outdoor recreation, many National Parks also are sites of historical and cultural significance. Some of these places offer a glimpse of Native American cultures that have lived in America's wilderness for hundreds, and in some cases thousands, of years. The slideshow below features images from some of the National Parks that have been home to Native Americans, from long ago to today:

• Aztec Ruins National Monument, New Mexico
• Casa Grande Ruins National Monument, Arizona
• Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico
• Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument, New Mexico
• Hopewell Culture National Historical Park, Ohio
• Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
• Nez Perce National Historical Park, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington
• Pecos National Historical Park, New Mexico
• Sitka National Historical Park, Alaska
• Tuzigoot National Monument, Arizona
• Wupatki National Monument, Arizona

(select the "i" to get more information on these unique lands)