National parks are areas of land set aside by governments for conservation purposes. In the US, the National Parks Service manages approximately one-fifth of the country’s land area. The service was founded in 1916 and aims to preserve wilderness, history, and wildlife for future generations. Yellowstone National Park was the first national park established in 1872. National parks are popular destinations for Americans and offer a range of accommodations. Entry fees vary, and a National Parks Pass allows entry to all parks for one year.
A national park refers to a parcel of land set aside by a national government and usually designated as an area without development. Often, these areas include pristine wilderness or other pieces of environmental heritage that the nation has deemed worthy of conservation. In the United States, national parks also include historic areas and monuments of scientific achievements. Within the United States, the National Parks Service is managed by the Department of the Interior, which manages approximately one-fifth of the land area of the United States.
The National Park Service was founded in 1916 by Woodrow Wilson, who signed the National Park Service Organic Act. The act established the service and established the laws that would govern these parks. National Parks in the United States are assets that all citizens can enjoy and aim to preserve wilderness, history and wildlife for future generations. Many Americans have visited at least one of these parks in their lifetime.
The National Park Service employs tens of thousands of people; even more during the summer. The Service is represented by an arrowhead, a symbol of archaeological and historical values, surrounding a redwood and a bison, representing vegetation and wildlife. The crest also includes mountains and a river to symbolize the scenic and recreational uses of these parks. The role of the Service has evolved since 1916, with several reorganizations aimed at greater efficiency and service. There has also been debate about the use of National Parks, particularly with regards to off-road vehicles and other similar disturbances.
The first National Park was Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872. Yellowstone was set aside to preserve the land for the enjoyment of all and has restricted sale, development or settlement. The Department of the Interior operated Yellowstone as a single entity until 1916. National parks have been a popular destination for Americans ever since. Alaska is home to the largest National Park, Wrangel-St. Elias, with 13.2 million acres of land. The smallest is the Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial in Pennsylvania, which is 0.2 acres in area.
National Park guests can stay in luxurious accommodations like the Ahwahee Hotel in Yosemite or in simple campgrounds. Reservations are recommended for many National Parks, especially in summer, which is the peak tourist season. Most national parks also have an entry fee, which varies widely in price. Many travelers purchase a National Parks Pass, which allows entry to all national parks for one calendar year.
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