History of National Parks

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National Park Travel

If you're planning a trip to a national park, you're not alone. Millions visit America's protected parklands every year, and the Web has responded. Enthusiasts can brush up on historical background of parks, or check out sites with practical advice about how to get there and where to stay. Park sports and activities are also detailed on the Web, along with gear suggestions. Below, we've collected sites to get you out into the great outdoors.

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US National Parks

Start with sites that provide an overview of national parks. They often serve as gateways to sites ... read more »

History of National Parks

America's first national park was established in the early 19th century. Ever since, parks have reflected the country's changing perceptions about our relationship to nature. From the first inkling that the countryside would have to be protected from exploitation, to today's concerns about biodiversity and climate change, much of this history is now recounted on the Internet.

Dulcinea's Insight

There's fodder here for myriad history essays of every level of academic sophistication. National Park Service sites in particular almost always have a history section with a good story or two.

Learning the historical context behind a park can make your visit more meaningful, and you may feel compelled to explore neglected and undervalued areas.

Dulcinea's Picks

For the general history of national parks ...

The National Park Service provides a comprehensive section on park histories, organized by park name, from A to Z. Each park has a list of links and pdf documents with specific historical details to aid in your research.

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National Parks Traveler is a terrific example of just how good a homegrown Web site can be-it's written by two men with a love for national parks. An ongoing blog of current events and issues in the national parks, National Parks Traveler often features stories written from an historical perspective in addition to discussions of the latest controversy.

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For more specific topics ...

The Magic of Yellowstone tells the history of Yellowstone National Park utilizing documents, photographs, and stories from every era of its existence. As Yellowstone was the first park of its kind, its history is in many ways the history of all the national parks.

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My Hero is a nonprofit Web archive of hero stories from around the world. John Muir is named as an "Earthkeeper Hero," one who is recognized for keeping our planet clean. The entry on John Muir is a well-written biographical essay about the man who, more than anyone else, was responsible for making national parks a reality.

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