A Guide to America’s National Parks

Mt. Rainier

Sometimes called "America's best idea", U.S. National Parks are well known by tourists around the world. These parks preserve natural wonders in their pristine state while offering a comfortable experience to millions of people each year. Here is a simple introduction to the National Parks of the United States.

Please note that Northern Latitudes is not endorsed by the United States National Park Service.

History of the National Parks

Yosemite Valley from Mariposa Trail In 1865

Some sources suggest that the concept of nationally owned lands for conservation purposes existed as early as the 18th century. However, the first official “National Park” with the following designation was the Yellowstone National Park established in 1872. Only a few years afterwards, other countries like Canada, New Zealand or Australia followed by creating their National Parks.

In the United States, the desire for “a nation’s park” emerged following the expansion toward the American West. As the country developed, many feared that the beauty of some natural areas would be lost. With this idea in mind, the Yosemite Grant Act was signed in 1864 by Abraham Lincoln. This act was ceding the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove to the state of California, making it the first State Park of U.S. history. A decade later, a team of scientists determined that the geothermal springs in the Yellowstone area in the state of Wyoming should be saved. The urging of the scientists motivated the government to establish Yellowstone as the first national park in 1872. This sparked the creation of many other national parks in both the United States and other countries in the world. Several years after the creation of the first national park, president Woodrow Wilson signed the act which created the National Park Service (NPS). More than a hundred years later, the United States has at least 63 national parks, and over 400 national designated areas visited by millions of people.

How to visit National Parks?

Visiting one of the national parks is simple. Once you determine which park you wish to go to, you can check if it is open, determine if you will need a reservation or not, and simply show up. Most areas operated by the NPS are free of access. However, most national parks have admission fees.

Paying for National Parks

The admission fees of national parks across the United States varies greatly depending on the park. Some parks are free while others are not. But generally, you may expect fees around $30 per vehicule. You can visit this website to see which park charges what. Most of the time, special discounts are available for people with special situations.

Passes

Some parks offer annual passes that give access to one park for a whole year. The NPS proposes to visitors the "America the Beautiful" pass which grants access to all national parks and many other federal lands for a year. The pass cost $80.00 and can be bought online. If you are a tourist visiting one area with multiple national parks, you may also be interested to check some regional passes giving access to multiple national and state parks in one area. Finally, note that on special days of the year, the admission to the national parks is free for everyone.

What can you do in National Parks?

All national parks may have unique activities, but generally national parks feature hiking/biking trails, climbing areas and campgrounds. We highly encourage you to visit the website of the national park you plan on visiting beforehand. Some national parks may require reservation to enter, but some also require permits for some hiking trails or climbing areas. If you plan on camping, please plan ahead of time. Campgrounds in the national parks are often full. 

Staying at National Parks

The most popular national parks often feature options for overnight stay. Some have direct campgrounds within the park, and others are located nearby villages or towns with hotels and stores.