The first national park predates the National Park Service (NPS) by more than 40 years. In 1872, President Grant created the first national park, Yellowstone. While inside US territory, the park was not part of an admitted state. As federal land, the national government assumed direct control. Various civilian staff managed the park until the US Army took control in 1886. As new parks were added to the system various arms of the federal government assumed management responsibilities. By the early 20th century a dozen parks existed, each managed with slightly different goals. To ensure the future of these national treasures, Stephen Mather lobbied for the creation of a single agency.
Congress created the NPS with the National Park Service Organic Act on 25 August 1916. The NPS has two primary responsibilities. First, it preserves and protects areas of ecological and historical significance as designated by the national government. Second, it ensures these areas are available and accessible for public enjoyment. In addition to the 59 national parks, the service also manages other protected areas. These include battlefields, national monuments, trails, shorelines, rivers, and other historic and scenic locations.
Map of areas managed by NPS (from Pintrest.com)
Interesting Facts (at least to me) about the US National Park System
- Twenty-six national parks have been decommissioned, including Mackinac, which was the second established park.
- Yosemite started as a state park created from land donated by the federal government to California. California returned the land to the federal government making Yosemite officially the fourth park.
- Twenty-seven states and two territories contain national parks.
- At more than 8 million acres, Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias park is bigger than the nine smallest states.
- California contains more parks (9) than any other state.
- More people (10 million) visit Great Smoky Mountains park than any other.
- Established in 2013, Pinnacles is the newest park.
- Virgin Islands on St. John includes a marked trail for snorkeling.
- According to Michigan State study each dollar invested in the NPS generates $4 in economic activity.
- Over 20,000 people work directly for the NPS. More than ten times as many serve as volunteers.
As always thanks for reading.
Armen
Nice. Always enjoy your contributions. Last year I toured a tiny national park located on the eastern shore of Seneca Lake. I’ll bet few people are even aware it exists. Also noted: Isn’t the Adirondack Park (a NYS Park) larger than any of the National Parks?
Rick, the Adirondack Park is big – 6.1 million acres, but there are two bigger national parks. Wrangell-St. Elias (8.3 million acres) and Gates of the Arctic (7.5 million acres). Both are in Alaska, so it is fair to say that the Adirondack Park is bigger than any National Park in the lower 48. FWIW, the biggest in the lower 48 is Death Valley at just under 3.4 million acres. As always, thanks for reading.