By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills
I can’t think of a better way to celebrate nature and wildlife than to experience one of our 61 national parks. Millions of acres spread across 29 states and 2 territories. Sounds like great vacation spots to me. Summer may be nearing a close for rich growth. Yet imagine many of these parks in vibrant fall colors. Or snow! Or sand!
Many of you are on an adventure to visit all the national parks. Some of you have achieved this amazing feat. Congratulations!
The National Park Service was created as a part of the Department of Interior in 1916 under President Woodrow Wilson. However, President Ulysses S. Grant established the Yellowstone National Park in 1872. Others were added under various administrations.
This site offers a ton of information about the National Park Service.
- The location of parks in each state and territory, as well as a description of each one. I encourage you to find the parks in your state.
- How to plan a trip
- Virtual park experiences
- Things to do
- Fun for kids
- COVID guidelines per each park
- Much more!
Ten Oldest National Parks
- Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, 1872.
- Sequoia National Park, California 1890.
- Yosemite National Park, California 1890.
- Mount Rainier National Park, Washington 1899.
- Crater Lake National Park, Oregon 1902.
- Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota 1903.
- Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado 1906
- Glacier National Park, Montana1910
- Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado 1915
- Haleakala National Park, Hawaii 1916
Four Newest National Parks
- Great Sand Dunes National Park Colorado 2004
- Pinnacles National Park, California 2013
- Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri 2018
- Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana 2019
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The largest national park is Wrangell St. Ellias, Alaska with over 13.2 million acres.
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The smallest National Memorial is Thaddeus Kosciuszko, Pennsylvania with .02 acres and is currently closed.
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Most Popular National Parks
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10 Most Visited National Parks
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Number of Visits to National Parks 1904-2019
I could go on with more stats and info about the Unites States National Parks. But the links above will help you plan your physical or virtual trip. One of my favorites is Rocky Mountain National Park. Here’s a picture of a recent hike approaching a subalpine lake called Dream Lake — one of many views where God’s creation is on display everywhere you look.
Approaching Dream Lake – Rocky Mountain National Park
What National Parks have you visited?
Comments 6
Oh, DiAnne! Great post! One of our writers, Kate, has a brother who did a unique book called, “Your Guide to the National Parks” and it is a beautiful assortment of unique information. The author’s name is Michael Joseph Oswald! I had a third cousin and her husband who traveled to every state in North America for a year. They made such good memories and friends! I wish I’d talked about their travels more. They were much older and have been gone for many years! When I think of them, I smile! Wonderful information you included on this post!
Susan, what fun! Thanks for the recommendation. What a great idea for a gift book.
I am so thankful our nation has preserved land as national and state parks. We just finished a weekend motorcycle trip to Vogel State Park in Georgia and it was wonderful. I lived in Wyoming for two years and visited Yellowstone a few times. I was born in Hot Springs, Arkansas which is actually Hot Springs National Park. These sites make amazing vacations!
Barbara, you have the park bug too! What a wondering way to relax.
We love both the state and national parks . We’ve been to a few and had several on our list for this spring and summer, including a month-long trip to the Yellowstone, where there are several. All of those had to be put on hold until 2021. 🙁
Hi Sherry, a month at Yellowstone! I’d like to get on that list!