The Big Idea: The Creation of the National Parks System

Bryce Canyon Hoodoos

In 1832, an artist by the name of George Catlin traveled to the northern Great Plains of the United States. He was awestruck by the majestic beauty of the rugged frontier and the scenic views that peppered the remote landscape. But Catlin was also troubled by the destruction of the Indian civilization, wildlife, and wilderness that the westward expansion threatened. He proposed a “nation’s park, containing man and beast, in all the wild[ness] and freshness of their nature’s beauty!”

Over time, thanks to the romantic portrayal of nature by authors like James Fenimore Cooper and Henry David Thoreau, the idea of preserving the unspoiled beauty of the West took hold. In 1872, Congress established Yellowstone National Park in the Territories of Montana and Wyoming, which would become the first of America’s parks.

This August 25 marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service, which was created to oversee and care for Yellowstone and the other nearly 400 areas of national parks and national monuments. It is the aim of the Parks Service to set aside these lands “for the benefit and enjoyment of the people” and, furthermore, to educate future generations on the preservation and protection of these critical areas.

As our nation prepares to celebrate the centennial of the National Parks System, travelers will be heading out across the country to explore these great natural wonders. We invite you to join us at YMT Vacations as we travel to some of America’s favorite National Parks. From the dramatic rims of Arizona’s Grand Canyon to the simmering crater of Hawaii’s Haleakala, we will explore the history, wildlife, and landscapes of our nation’s parks. Here are some of the experiences you can choose from: