Celebrating the National Park Service's 110th Anniversay

 

The Department of the Interior managed our parks across the country until August 25, 1916, when President Woodrow Wilson signed legislation (The National Park Service Organic Act) for at that time were 35 locations to be united into the National Park Service. This year we will celebrate the 110th anniversary the NPS. 

Found in All 50 States

The service manages 433 sites found across 50 states. This includes 63 national parks, most national monuments, historic places, and recreational areas. It is responsible for maintaining ecological and historic aspects of the sites, and the service must also make these places available to the public to visit and enjoy in a safe manner. 

Park Workers and Volunteers

The service is responsible for 85 million acres of land. It employs 20,000 people to work at these sites. Approximately 250,00 volunteers each year make it possible for the system to sustain its efforts to maintain such vast areas of land, mountains, waterways, and seashores. 

History

Mount Rushmore

The concept of a national park was first suggested by artist George Catlin. While visiting the Dakotas in 1832, he realized that the way of life there was being threatened by the advancement of civilization. He saw a need to preserve the culture of American Indians, the wildlife living there, and the environment. He wrote about "a nation's Park" that would maintain these things for all time. 

The First National Park

Yellowstone National Park was our nation's first national park. Since Wyoming was a territory and not a state, the park was managed by the federal government. The military was put in charge of handling all matters, and this included the famous African American Buffalo Soldiers.  

There were calls for an independent agency to manage Yellowstone and future parks. Conservationist Stephen Mather headed a campaign to create The Department of the Interior. This agency would manage all parks and sites until Wilson signed the legislation to create the NPS, when he named Mather as it's first director. 

Under Mather's leadership, he pushed for the creation of new parks, built roads, established campgrounds and lodges, and worked with car companies to promote accessibility for citizens to visit the parks. He also introduced education programs for adults and for children. 

The Reorganization Act of 1933

Gettysburg, Pennsylvania

On March 3, 1933, President Herbert Hoover signed the Reorganization Act. This gave the president the authority to transfer monuments to the NPS. Later that year the new President Franklin D. Roosevelt directed that American Civil War sites be transferred from the War Department to the NPS, expanding areas that it administered. 

However, it wasn't until 1966 (when NPS turned 50 years old) that the idea of parks and sites being more accessible to the public came into sharper focus. Director George Hartzog initiated the process, and he established the National Lakeshore and National Recreation Areas. This drive began to transform the NPS into what we know today. 

Why We Should Celebrate This Anniversary

Old Faithful, Wyoming

We should appreciate the National Park Service now more than ever. Let's celebrate the importance of its mission. The service conserves ecosystems, protects endangered wildlife, maintains precious American historical sites, and offers free to low cost access to recreational spaces for millions of people to visit each year. 

It also leads the way in the fight against climate change. NPS preserves large areas of forests and plant life across its sites, and these green areas absorb carbon dioxide and clean the air that we breathe. This is an essential element that the service provides. It also strives to keep the water clean in wild habitats.

Have you visited a national park recently? I have visited a number of them over the years and have enjoyed the opportunity to swim, hike, and gaze in wonder at the amazing sights to be seen. Why not schedule a visit to national parks near you as soon as you can? They have so much to offer and truly are American treasures.  

Fun Fact: On August 25th, 2026, admission is free for the 110th anniversary of the NPS. Camping and reservation fees are still in effect.

Please enjoy this video about visiting Yosemite National Park.

Please enjoy this video about all 63 National Parks!