There is a euphoric sense of peace when you enter a national park. It may be that these protected lands become a sweet escape from the hustle of everyday life. Or maybe it’s the wildlife, like bison, bears, or crocodiles that leave you in awe at just how marvelous it is that these creatures live among us. The history of the National Parks dates back to 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the “Organic Act” creating the National Park Service. “The purpose is to conserve the scenery, the natural and historic objects, and the wildlife therein. To provide for the enjoyment of the same in such a manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” Wilson proclaimed when establishing this act, generously keeping modern-day folks like you and me in mind. To date, there are over 400 areas of protected land covering a collective total of more than 84 million acres in 50 states. That’s a whole lot of ground to discover! So, without further ado, let us begin our exploration of 5 national parks that just might make it to the top of your bucket list destinations.

The History of Yosemite

Yosemite National Park is located in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California. It was first home to the Ahwahneechee people for thousands of years before settlers arrived in the 1800s. During the zeal of the 1851 California Gold Rush, the valley was cleared by the United States Army, initiating tribal conflicts and the subsequent Mariposa War. Despite their fight, the Native American tribe was relocated to a reservation. “Yosemite” was the result of the mispronunciation of “Ahwahnee” by the reigning settlers. Fast forward through the years, the land was visited by photographers, artists, and writers detailing its grandeur. The abundant rock formations, vast canyons, primeval lakes, and breathtaking waterfalls were (and still are) immaculate sights for adventurers and researchers alike. One traveler in particular, John Muir, spent years studying the valley and began campaigning to preserve Yosemite as a National Park. To further preserve the beauty of the national park, John Muir initiated the Yosemite Act of 1890. After a camping trip with Theodore Roosevelt in 1903, Muir convinced the nature-loving president to pass the bill that made all of Yosemite protected and preserved by the U.S. government.

Yosemite is the third oldest National Park in the United States after Yellowstone and Sequoia. It is arguably one of the best places to explore with over 750 trails and 800 miles of river valleys. On an OBP trip to Yosemite, you and your pals will pass through ancient sequoia trees as your guide teaches you all about the ecology of these giants. Your whimsical walk through the forest will open up to vast valleys and towering rock faces formed from lava flows. When you spot the unique curve and delicate peak of Half Dome or stand beneath the 3,000-foot height of El Capitan, it is without a doubt that your first reaction is a simple, dumbfounded “wow.” The waterfalls will leave you in wonder as they flow off cliffs into the fresh spring air. Cook’s Meadow and Mirror Lake will silence your thoughts and dazzle your gaze, taking you right back to how the early settlers first saw this land and continue to this day, with nothing but appreciation for all its natural beauty.

The History of Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon, which is the biggest canyon in the world, is located in northern Arizona. The mile-deep gorge is estimated to have formed 5 to 6 million years ago by the Colorado River. It reveals the deep and colorful sediment deposits of the Earth’s crust dating back to nearly 2 billion years ago. The first humans to inhabit this land were the Ancestral Pueblo people – followed by Paiute, Navajo, Zuni, and Hopi tribes. The Havasupai tribe has lived in the canyon for more than 800 years. Because the tribe still lived below the canyon rim, in 1893 President Benjamin Harrison first granted federal protection as a forest reserve which protected their homes and the land. Then, in 1903, Teddy Roosevelt declared portions of the Grand Canyon a federal game reserve. It was in 1919 when Woodrow Wilson helped the Grand Canyon officially achieve status as a national park. 

Down below the rim of the canyon are where the fascinating mysteries thrive. Of the estimated 1,000 caves tucked within the Grand Canyon only 335 have been recorded. Hundreds of split-twig figurines line the walls of these caves with deer and bighorn sheep sketches. Anthropologists believe prehistoric hunters left these drawings as a ritualistic saga of a successful hunt. Traveling with OBP gets you close to the canyon walls where you can see all those years of magma-built evolution. Walk through the canyon and learn about the geology of the area, take in the mesmerizing landscapes, or visit the Cave of Domes, the only cave within the park accessible to the public.  You can also visit the famous Cameron Trading Post gallery in Page. Here, you’ll see some of the fine works of the Southwestern Native American tribes. A trip to the Grand Canyon wouldn’t be complete without swinging by the picturesque Horseshoe Bend. This natural formation draws in thousands of visitors every year, and it might be time for you to add this superb view to your photo album too.

The History of Olympic National Park

Imagine sailing in from the ocean after weeks of intense thrashing from whitecaps and storms only to reach land and discover endless miles of sandy coastline with cliffs of luscious forests filled with western red cedar, Sitka spruce, Douglas fir, bigleaf maple, and western hemlock trees. It’d be quite a treat to see such a sight, wouldn’t you agree? Surely the first Spanish settlers sounded cheers upon their arrival to Washington’s Olympic Peninsula in 1850. Despite their later disappointment with California gold, this land was an abundant refuge to the growing tribes. As years passed the tribes that settled the region were the Makah, Quileute, Hoh, Quinault, Skokomish, Port Gamble S’Klallam, Jamestown S’Klallam, and Lower Elwha Klallam people. By 1890, John Muir, out and about again, discovered this Olympic Peninsula and proposed the creation of a national park to preserve it. By 1937, presidents Teddy Roosevelt and Franklin Roosevelt both secured protection and added support to establish the nearly one million acres of vast wilderness as a national park.  

From glacier-capped mountains to temperate rain forests and the jaw-dropping 70 miles of beautiful seacoast, Olympic National Park allows for never-ending exploration. Begin your day watching whales on the horizon of Rialto Beach, then discover hidden waterfalls as you venture through the Hoh Rain Forest (one of the last remaining rainforests in the US) by lunchtime. End your day with a hike to the top of the snow-covered mountain peaks of Hurricane Ridge in time for a true golden coast sunset. And with Off the Beaten Path (OBP), you’ll make it back to your honorable lodge just in time for a warm meal and cozy night’s rest. Olympic National Park is home to all kinds of wildlife which have been protected since 1897 when President Grover Cleveland responded to concerns about the dying region. He designated the area as a reserve even before it became a national park. Though the first settlers didn’t find gold, Olympic national park is still a treasured find.

The History of Big Bend

Picture drylands and tumbleweeds in an old western cowboy film and you get a quick snapshot of Big Bend National Park. And just like a John Wayne movie, there were certainly a few showdowns. The first known settlers were the Chisos Spaniards in the early 1800s. Shortly after, in 1854 when Fort Davis was established, the U.S. Army sought ownership of this land, resulting in the battle known as The Battle of Big Bend. Despite the Mexican “vaqueros” (Spanish for cowboys) fight, the U.S. won, making the Rio Grande River the border between Mexico and the U.S. But it would be another 100 years before Big Bend became a national park. Americans couldn’t imagine why anyone would live, let alone visit, such a rugged wilderness. Even the Spaniards dubbed this area “el despoblado,” the uninhabited land. However, these foreboding names and desperate conditions certainly didn‘t stop the bold from trying to settle down there. Ranchers rolled in around the 1920s, noticing the promise this land had for farming and grazing cattle, sheep, and goats. Soon after, Texan officials aimed to protect and preserve the land, so supporters had to come up with the money to purchase it. In 1942, $1.5 million was allocated by the state of Texas to purchase the 600,000 acres. The deed was established on June 12th, 1944, and Big Bend National Park was officially established. 

Venturing into the desert shouldn’t be a solo journey, even the cowboys had their horses. Saddle up with OBP as your trusty stallion. We’ll take you deep into the river canyons where you can see the huge cottonwood trees that line the river corridor. You’ll get high into the Chisos Mountains and land at the prime lookout point to watch for mountain lions and bobcats. Wait ‘til nightfall and you can see more stars in the sky than you ever have before, while howling coyotes call in the distance. With us, you’ll see why Big Bend becoming a national park was a true “Texas Gift to the Nation.”

The History of Everglades National Park

At the very tip of the Florida, peninsula is 1.5 million acres of subtropical treasure. Everglades National Park is a vast seabed of freshwater marshes, tropical hardwood hammock habitats, pine rocklands, and mangrove forests. This wilderness was an abundant resource for its early explorers, but unfortunately, they weren’t interested in preserving its natural beauty. With the demise of South Florida’s first settlers- the Calusa Indians- in the 1800s, colonial settlers drained the swampy farmland and communities. It didn’t take long for them to cause severe damage to the ecosystems and the species that lived within them. Little by little, canals, roads, and buildings began to replace native habitats. By the end of the 1920s, the region became more accessible to tourists, leading to the construction of towns known today as Fort Lauderdale, Miami, and Fort Myers. One local land developer named Ernest F. Coe came to town with a heart for these wetlands. He pitched the idea to preserve and protect the Everglades. Thankfully, Congress accepted and declared it federal land in 1934. However, it would take another 13 years before enough land was secured and preserved after all those years of dredging. The national park was officially established in 1947.

The Everglades is the third largest national park in the Lower 48. It’s teeming with species like manatees, crocodiles, the elusive Florida panther, and over 360 species of birds. Thanks to land lovers like Coe, and ladies like the Florida Federation of Women’s Clubs, the once-decimated native wildlife populations have been restored. Florida is more than a good place to get a great tan. This park is booming with activities and adventure. With an OBP trip to Wild Florida, you can trade spots with the sea turtles nesting on the beaches and snorkel through coral reefs and seagrass beds. Or paddleboard through the creeks of brackish water and explore the forest of mangrove trees….(need to conclude)

The definition of peace is freedom from disturbance, and that is exactly what makes a national park possible. From artists to presidents, national parks are a treasure trove to us all. When you get the chance to visit one of these 5 can’t-miss National Parks, be sure to connect with OBP to start planning your trip.