The National Park System (NPS) is a national treasure. US National Parks represent just about every type of feature and wildlife you can imagine. And it’s not just parks: The NPS includes national monuments, memorials, scenic trails, lakeshores, battlefields, recreation areas, and more.
The concept of a national park is credited to George Catlin, a 19th-century lawyer, painter, and adventurer. His travels took him all over the burgeoning United States, where he met fifty native tribes. He also worried about the loss of wildlife, wilderness, and indigenous people as America expanded westward into the frontier. His solution? A ‘nation’s park’ — land protected by the government for future generations.
That vision became reality in 1872, when Yellowstone, in what’s now Wyoming, became the first national park established by Congress. Now there are 63 National Parks across the US and its territories, from Acadia in Maine to Yosemite in California, Denali in Alaska to Dry Tortugas in Florida, and so many more in between.
In this episode, we explore the almost overwhelming awesomeness of the NPS and take a virtual tour of some of the coolest experiences you can have in nature. We learn about the history of hippos and the Everglades, meet the most dangerous animal in the Grand Canyon, and learn the best place to eat popovers in Maine.
Then we recommend five books that took us on big adventures in national parks, including a historical novel in Oklahoma, an adventure story in the Pacific Northwest, a murder mystery in Michigan, a memoir in Arizona, and a Bigfoot tale in Washington..
Read the full transcript of National Parks: Go Outside and Touch Grass.
The Everglades: River of Grass by Marjory Stoneman Douglas — also available on Internet Archive
The Book Woman of Troublesome Creek by Kim Michele Richardson — hear Mel talk about it in our Appalachia episode
Over the Edge: Death in the Grand Canyon by Thomas M. Myers and Michael P. Ghiglieri
World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
The Zombie Survival Guide: Complete Protection from the Living Dead by Max Brooks
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton - hear Mel talk about it in our Costa Rica episode
Fantasticland by Mike Bockoven — hear Mel talk about it in our Amusement Parks episode
Perhaps you’d like to listen to The National Parks band as you dig into these links.
And some photos to set the scene…
All about the artist George Catlin and and article from Smithsonian magazine about George Catlin’s Obsession
National Geographic: Avoid Crowds at the 10 Least-Visited U.S. National Parks
Find a Park page at the NPS website
National Geographic: Fun Facts About All 59 U.S. National Parks
Information about working for the National Park Service as an employee, volunteer, or intern.
Our current Chief Historian of National Park Service is Turkiya Lowe! Here’s an overview of Chief Historians of the National Park Service, The Role Of The Historian In The National Park Service, and Turkiya Lowe Is Reshaping How the National Park Service Tells the American Story.
Treat yourself to this excellent video interview with Turkiya.
National Parks Artist-in-Residence programs — and a lovely video with the artist making quilts in Virginia’s Shenandoah National Park.
Outside Magazine: The Best Things to Do in Every National Park
White Sands National Park National Park
Acadia National Park National Park
Redwood National Park National Park
Mammoth Cave National Park
Great Smoky Mountain National Park
Trump Wants to Defund National Parks — but They Have Overwhelming Bipartisan Support
The Guardian: Trump Is Laying the Groundwork to Privatize America’s National Parks
LA Times: Trump’s Order to Expand US Timber Production Includes All of California’s National Forests
Take action! Here’s helpful info from the National Parks Conservation Association.
Statement 1: Congress once proposed stocking a national park with hippos. The True Story of When Congress Almost Released Wild Hippos Into the Louisiana Bayou and How the U.S. Almost Became a Nation of Hippo Ranchers. Read all about Lee County Hyacinth Control District.
Statement 2: There are many dangerous animals in the Grand Canyon. They’ve got mountain lions, tarantulas, scorpions, and coyotes, to name a few. But! The most dangerous animals in the Grand Canyon are bison. Oh, the cute but dangerous rock squirrel! Here are 8 Dangerous Animals in the Grand Canyon and Rock Squirrels: The Most Dangerous Animal in Grand Canyon. Fear not! Grand Canyon National Park — Wildlife Viewing and Safety Tips).
Statement 3: Florida’s fiercest eco-warrior didn’t own hiking boots and once described the Everglades as ‘too buggy.’ Read all about Marjory Stoneman Douglas here and here. For the Everglades, the Best Way to Care: Go There.
Shelterwood by Lisa Wingate
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
A Superior Death by Nevada Barr
Best-Selling Anna Pigeon Novels Coming to Life on USA Network in New Mystery Series
A Superior Death is set in Isle Royale National Park — and the some of the action takes place in the sunken SS Kamloops which you can read about here and here.
A Walk in the Park: The True Story of a Spectacular Misadventure in the Grand Canyon by Kevin Fedarko
Devolution by Max Brooks
The Dear Bob and Sue National Parks Podcast has 170+ episodes about visiting US national parks
The Smithsonian Institute has a really nice collection of national parks art, including landscape paintings, photographs, postage stamps, and other digitized resources.
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