National parks are America's great resource dedicated to recreation and preservation of land, plants and animals. Since Yellowstone became the first national park in 1872, other national parks have been created in twenty-five states across the United States. All National Park holidays will leave an unforgettable experience on the whole family.
Today, roughly 60% of the 388 park areas administered by the National Park Service have been set aside as symbols and evidence of our history and prehistory. Many of American natural parks contain historic places that represent important aspects of its history. Collectively, these places present an American history textbook, a textbook that educates us about the people, events, buildings, objects, landscapes and artifacts of the American past and about the aspirations and actions that produced those tangible survivors.
The history of the National Park Service is rich in possibilities for anyone interested in environmental history, natural resource conservation, federal programs for historic preservation and archeology, public attitudes toward historical memory and commemoration, debates about the uses of public land and the nature of federal agencies and programs over the past century. From wilderness designations to the setting aside of historic sites, the National Park Service is shaped by and, in turn, helps to shape ideas about this country's natural and cultural heritage.
As a government agency, the National Park Service has reflected and participated in national discussions about the environment and its relationship to society. The National Park Service also reflects changes in the kinds of historical and cultural memory. Park managers bear significant responsibilities for decisions about park resources that affect how future generations will see this multifaceted natural and cultural heritage.
The National Park Service Directives System consists of internal instructions and guidance documents to ensure that National Park Service managers and staff have clear information on National Park Service policy and on required and/or recommended actions.
When planning a national park holiday, it is sometimes difficult to decide where to go. There are the volcanoes of Hawaii, Denali Wilderness of Alaska, unique geysers in Yellowstone, spectacular scenery in Grand Teton, Yosemite, Grand Canyon and many others. A wide variety of recreational activities await you in Glacier Natl Park including bicycling, camping, boating, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and sightseeing. Glacier Natl Park has 13 campgrounds with over 1000 campsites. Bicycles are restricted to roadways, bike routes and parking areas. Learn one of the fastest growing sports in America with certified kayak guides! Beginning courses are taught on flat water to build confidence and perfect skills. Alternatively, go fishing - no license needed to fish in Glacier Natl Park. If you have only one day to spend at Glacier, spend it all on the Going-to-the-Sun Road, a spectacular 52-mile highway that bisects Glacier Natl Park east and west. Start early in the morning and drive to the end of the road and then return. Stop at the various turnouts to take photos and take time for a few short hikes. Surely, you will have a good rest!