16 Parks to Celebrate USA's National Park Centenary

On 25 August 1916, USA President Woodrow Wilson signed the act that created the National Park Service

“to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for future generations”.

One hundred years later, the 84-million-plus-acre National Park Service of the United States comprises 409 sites, including 58 national and historical parks, monuments, battlefields, and seashore. Two years ago, almost 293 million people visited them. With such a large surface and natural treasures of these parks it’s no wonder that the USA National Parks Service decided their parks need a celebration in this centenary year!

2016 Marks 100 Years of USA National Parks Service

The opening event of the centennial took place on 1 January with the enormous Tournament of Roses Parade winding through the streets of Pasadena in Los Angeles. But there’s more. The USA national parks are organising clean-ups, photography exhibits, special days for kids and much more. To join in the celebrations, here’s an overview of our 16 favourite American national parks (in no particular order):

16 USA National Parks

1. Rocky Mountain NP, Colorado

2. Grand Canyon NP, Arizona

3. Kenai Fjords NP, Alaska

4. Denali NP, Alaska

5. Volcanoes NP, Hawaii

6. Zion NP, Utah

7. John Muir Trail, California

8. Bryce Canyon NP, Utah

9. Yellowstone NP, Wyoming

10.  Yosemite NP, California

11. Death Valley NP, California

12. Grand Teton NP, Wyoming

13. Mesa Verde NP, Colorado

14. Wrangell St Elias NP, Alaska

15. Arches NP, Utah

16. Haleakala NP, Hawaii

Curious to know which of these American national parks you can visit with World Expeditions this year? Have a look at the USA page on our website for the full overview or contact one of our adventure travel experts.