The Compass: U.S. National Parks

Since its founding on August 25, 1916, the U.S. National Park Service hosts millions of visitors each year across 62 national parks, sustains countless species, and safeguards some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet.  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌    ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌ ‌  

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U.S. National Parks

PHOTOGRAPH BY GEORGE ROSE / GETTY IMAGES

Since its founding on August 25, 1916, the U.S. National Park Service hosts millions of visitors each year across 62 national parks, sustains countless species, and safeguards some of the most breathtaking landscapes on the planet. The parks preserve natural and cultural resources “for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.” In this edition, a veteran firefighter shares the view from her mountaintop perch, we learn how thawing permafrost is prompting Denali National Park to reimagine its future, and see which national parks are home to the most incredible U.S. landmarks. Let’s explore U.S. National Parks.

HISTORY & CULTURE

PHOTOGRAPH BY DOUGLAS CHADWICK Look out! A veteran fire spotter shares the view from her mountaintop perch Even in bad fire years, there’s a rhythm to the days, writes Karen Reeves from her tower in Montana's Glacier National Park. READ MORE SHARE

PHOTOGRAPH BY SERGEY CHERNYAEV / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO This tiny, tropical national park has a curious history Pirates, prisoners, and a deadly epidemic haunted Florida’s Dry Tortugas. Now it’s a haven for wildlife. READ MORE PHOTOGRAPH COURTESY LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Enchanting vintage pictures show national parks when they were young When Congress created the National Park Service in 1916, Americans were just beginning to discover what writer Wallace Stegner called "the best idea we ever had." READ MORE

PHOTOGRAPH BY PUTT SAKDHNAGOOL / GETTY IMAGES Here’s how national parks are working to fight racism Efforts are underway to make the outdoors more inclusive. But many Black travelers are still cautious to embrace America’s ‘best idea.’ READ MORE SHARE RELATED: THESE PEOPLE OF COLOR TRANSFORMED U.S. NATIONAL PARKS +

ENVIRONMENT

PHOTOGRAPH BY AARON HUEY, NAT GEO IMAGE COLLECTION Thawing permafrost prompts Denali National Park to reimagine its future Much of the ground in Alaska’s Denali is losing its top layer of permafrost, resulting in landslides and a sometimes-blocked park road. READ MORE PHOTOGRAPH BY REBECCA L. LATSON Wildfires show how climate change is transforming national parks Drier landscapes, warmer weather, and intensifying fires may change America’s beloved landscapes forever. READ MORE

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PHOTOGRAPH BY JOSH HYDEMAN Explore otherworldly realms in this national park Whittled by water into slot canyons and rock cliffs, Utah’s Zion National Park is an adventurer’s paradise. Here’s how to visit. READ MORE SHARE

PHOTOGRAPH BY KILIII YÜYAN This U.S. national park above the Arctic Circle is an adventurer’s dream Alaska’s Gates of the Arctic National Park features a rugged expanse of mountains, rivers, and wildlife. READ MORE SHARE

TRAVEL

DREAM NOW, GO LATER

PHOTOGRAPH BY BABAK TAFRESHI, NAT GEO IMAGE LIBRARY These national parks are home to some of the most incredible U.S. landmarks From the largest canyon in the world to the tallest living tree, here are 12 American parks with amazing wonders. READ MORE SHARE RELATED: THESE ARE THE 10 MOST POPULAR NATIONAL PARKS +

PHOTOGRAPH BY JAY YOUNG, ADVENTURES ON THE GORGE America’s newest national park is a haven for hiking, climbing, and rafting West Virginia’s New River Gorge National Park and Preserve is well-suited to welcoming adventurers in a time of pandemic. READ MORE PHOTOGRAPH BY NATURE PICTURE LIBRARY / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO See fireflies magically light up this national park Thousands of synchronous fireflies dazzle travelers in Great Smoky Mountains National Park with their unique flash pattern. Here’s what you need to know. READ MORE

PHOTOGRAPH BY DESIGN PICS INC / ALAMY STOCK PHOTO Go wild (and skip the crowds) at these 7 spectacular parks Avoid the people—but not the natural wonders—at these breathtaking under-the-radar wilderness areas. READ MORE SHARE

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