Creating the National Parks  The original concept of National Parks was credited to George Catlin when he took a trip to the Dakotas and was concerned about expansion of civilization on the lands.  He wanted to protect the natural beauty of the lands that he painted.

The First Park  The idea of National Park came in 1872 when Yellowstone National Park was created March 1 st.  This land was for the benefit and enjoyment of the people.  In 1916 President Woodrow Wilson singed the Organic Act creating the National Park Service.

 The NPS was created under the Department of the Interior and protected 40 National Parks and monuments.  Within the next 20 years, 63 national lands were transferred to the NPS from the Forest Service.  In 1970 congress declared the General Authorities Act that all units of the system have equal legal standing in a national system.

General Authorities Act  "though distinct in character, are united through their inter-related purposes and resources into one national park system as cumulative expressions of a single national heritage; that, individually and collectively, these areas derive increased national dignity and recognition of their superb environmental quality through their inclusion jointly with each other in one national park system preserved and managed for the benefit and inspiration of all people of the United States..."

Creating a National Park  The President has the authority to proclaim national monuments on lands that are already under federal jurisdiction.  Additions to the NPS are made through acts of Congress.

 The NPS today covers 376 areas in total.  Covering more then 83 million acres in 49 states.  59 of the areas are National Parks.  Most of the Parks are out west with California having 9, Alaska with 8, Utah with 5 and Colorado with 4.  The largest park is in Alaska with over 8 million acres.

 Alaska has the top 4 largest parks in the USA.  The smallest park is Hot Springs in Arkansas at about 6 thousand acres.  The most visited park is The Great Smoky Mountains with 9+ million per year followed by the Grand Canyon with 4 million.  The least visited is Lake Clark in Alaska with about 5 thousand people per year.