It started with just over two million acres in 1872. Today, America's National Park System encompasses more than 84 million acres across the United States, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands. That's a lot of land to cover, which is why MBK Senior Living's "America the Great" resident enrichment series is bringing a few of the parks to you.
Let's start with the first-ever National Park – Yellowstone! Established March 1, 1872, as a public park "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people," Known for its active geysers, wildlife, waterfalls, and hiking trails, Yellowstone is visited annually by nearly four million people. The park spans 3,472 square miles, which makes it larger than Rhode Island and Delaware combined.
Yellowstone is the habitat of 67 different species of mammals and 285 species of birds. It's not uncommon for park visitors to spy a buffalo, elk, deer, bighorn sheep, moose, bears, bald eagles, and more. In addition to diverse wildlife, Yellowstone is known for its more than 10,000 hydrothermal features, including geysers, hot springs, mud pots, and fumaroles. More than half of the world's active geysers can be found at Yellowstone Park. Most notable are "Old Faithful" and the "Grand Geyser," both of which regularly spew a 100+ foot spray of steam and water into the air. It's quite a sight to see!
While Yellowstone may have been the first, it's far from the most frequented park in the US. The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is visited by over 12 million people annually! Not to worry, they've got the space to accommodate. The park includes more than 522,427 acres, divided between the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. The Great Smoky Mountains are home to many plants, trees, and animals, and the area is considered the "salamander capital of the world." The park's mountain ranges are estimated to be between 200-300 million years old and are considered the oldest in the world. The park includes more than 800 miles of hiking trails, 2,900 miles of streams, and over 90 historic structures. It's no wonder the park is one of the most popular destinations for hikers in the US.
Gates of the Arctic National Park may be one of the nation's least traversed parks. That's because the 259,000-acre park does not contain any roads or trails. Located in Alaska, the landscape is virtually untouched, except for forces of nature. Situated above the Article Circle, the Gates of the Arctic is known to protect and preserve nearly 900 plants and animals.
Nothing beats communing with nature and taking in the sights, sounds, and scenic views of America's national parks. However, if getting to the great outdoors isn't in your summer plans, you can still tour many parks online. Take a virtual tour of America's awe-inspiring parklands here, or test your knowledge of national parks here.
Stay tuned for our next stop on the tour of America the Great – American Art and Literature.
