The Story of Our National Parks

The first was Yellowstone in 1872, established "as a public park or pleasuring-ground for the benefit and enjoyment of the people" and placed it "under exclusive control of the Secretary of the Interior." The founding of Yellowstone National Park began a worldwide national park movement. Many of America's most scenic and historic places have been set aside for the use of the public as national parks. Join Active Minds as we tell the story of the development of our national parks system and highlight some of the more notable parks and their stories.