August 25 marks the 100-year anniversary of the United State’s National Park Service. Under President Woodrow Wilson, the Organic Act was passed in 1916, creating a bureau within the Department of Interior to protect and preserve the scenery, wildlife, and historic landmarks of designated areas around the country and U.S. territories. There are now more than 400 nationally protected areas within the system.
With so many parks and monuments to visit, there are destinations to fulfill the wanderlust and curiosities of every kind of road tripper, explorer, and casual tourist. Some emphasize environmental advocacy, or promote vibrant wildlife education and preservation, others offer adrenaline-fueled recreation. There are locations of notable national cultural and historic heritage, and awe-inspiring sites of pilgrimage. Some are places to simply unplug from the modern world and reconnect with Earth’s tranquility. All are glorious and special in their own unique ways.
Grab your Rand McNally atlas (because smartphone GPS won’t always work in remote locales), pick a travel buddy, and plot your next adventure. And, as the saying goes, “leave only footprints, take only photos” as you pass through these precious locales designated not only for our enrichment but for generations to come.
To celebrate the National Park Services centennial, here are some of the most breathtaking, unexpected, hisotrically significant, and bucket-list worthy locations.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve, Louisiana
