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San Benito County, CA < Back Pinnacles San Benito County, CA 2013 Established: Size: 26,606 acres Visitors: 222,152 in 2018 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

The Words that Made Us < Back Akhil Reed Amar - November 10, 2021 The Words that Made Us Previous Next

60 mi N of Jackson, WY < Back Yellowstone 60 mi N of Jackson, WY 1872 Established: Size: 2,219,791 acres Visitors: 4,501,382 in 2023 Summary Yellowstone National Park, situated primarily in Wyoming but also extending into parts of Montana and Idaho, is a true natural wonderland. It's not only the first national park in the world but also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Yellowstone is famous for its geothermal features like geysers, hot springs, and bubbling mud pots, with the iconic Old Faithful being the star attraction. The park's diverse landscapes include forests, canyons, rivers, and alpine meadows, providing habitats for a wide range of wildlife, including bison, elk, grizzly bears, and wolves. Visitors can explore a network of hiking trails, go wildlife watching, or enjoy activities like camping, fishing, and boating. Yellowstone's stunning beauty and unique geology make it a must-see destination for nature lovers and adventurers alike. Wildlife Bison Bald eagle Grizzly bear Coyote Yellowstone National Park is renowned for its rich and diverse wildlife. The park is home to a remarkable array of animals, including iconic species such as bison, elk, and grizzly bears. Additionally, visitors may encounter wolves, moose, bighorn sheep, and mountain goats, among others. Yellowstone's varied habitats, ranging from forests to meadows to rivers, support a thriving ecosystem that sustains a wide variety of wildlife. Birdwatchers are treated to sightings of bald eagles, ospreys, and numerous other bird species. Exploring Yellowstone provides ample opportunities for wildlife viewing and offers a glimpse into the natural beauty and ecological richness of this iconic park. Sounds of the Park Things to Do In the summer, visitors at Yellowstone National Park can hike, camp, ride on horseback, or go fly fishing. In the winter, visitors can go snowmobiling. Year round, visitors can visit Yellowstone's geysers, including the famous Old Faithful. Hiking Cross-country skiing Horseback riding When to Visit Yellowstone National Park has a continental climate with warm to hot summers and cold, snowy winters. Precipitation, especially rain, is uncommon year round. Crowds peak in the summer. As a result, the best time to visit, taking into account both crowds and weather, would be late spring (May) or early fall (September). Ties to Stephen Mather Yellowstone National Park has a Stephen Mather plaque located at the Madison Information Station. Fun Fact Since 2000, Old Faithful geyser has erupted every 44 minutes to 2 hours. Previous Next

Lone Pine, CA < Back Death Valley Lone Pine, CA 1994 Established: Size: 3,422,024 acres Visitors: 1,128,862 in 2022 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

Klamath County, OR < Back Crater Lake Klamath County, OR 1902 Established: Size: 183,224 acres Visitors: 527,000 in 2022 Summary Crater Lake National Park is an American national park located in southern Oregon. Established in 1902, Crater Lake is the fifth-oldest national park in the United States and the only national park in Oregon. The park encompasses the caldera of Crater Lake, a remnant of Mount Mazama, a destroyed volcano, and the surrounding hills and forests. The caldera rim ranges in elevation from 7,000 to 8,000 feet (2,100 to 2,400 m). The United States Geological Survey benchmark elevation of the lake surface is 6,178 feet (1,883 m). The national park encompasses 183,224 acres (286.3 sq mi; 741.5 km2). Crater Lake has no streams flowing into or out of it. All water that enters the lake is eventually lost from evaporation or subsurface seepage. The lake's water commonly has a striking blue hue, and the lake is refilled entirely from direct precipitation in the form of snow and rain. Wildlife Black-tailed deer California tortoiseshell American pika Cascades frog Sounds of the Park Things to Do Visitors at Crater Lake National Park can hike, camp, fish, or birdwatch, or stargaze. In the winter, visitors can snowshoe, snowmobile, snowboard, or ski (either cross-country or downhill). When to Visit Crater Lake has a subarctic climate with cold, very snowy winters and mild, sunny summers. Snow covers the park for the majority of the year, except for the summer, making the summer the optimal time of year to visit for outdoor activities. Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Prior to the eruption that created Crater Lake, Mount Mazama was likely over 12,000 feet tall. Previous Next

Billings County, ND < Back Theodore Roosevelt Billings County, ND 1978 Established: Size: 70,446 acres Visitors: 668,679 in 2022 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

50 mi SE of Bangor, ME < Back Acadia 50 mi SE of Bangor, ME 1919 Established: Size: 40,975 acres Visitors: 2,669,034 in 2020 Summary Acadia National Park, situated in Maine, offers a vast outdoor space for various activities. Its landscape includes tall mountains, lakes, and rocky beaches. Visitors engage in hiking, biking, and swimming amidst nature's beauty. Cadillac Mountain, the park's highest peak, provides stunning views, especially during sunrise and sunset. Trails meander through forests and along the coastline, catering to adventurers. Acadia's diverse wildlife includes deer, foxes, and marine life like whales. Birdwatching opportunities abound, with species ranging from chickadees to bald eagles. Acadia National Park provides an educational experience in nature, offering opportunities for exploration and discovery amidst its scenic vistas and diverse wildlife. Wildlife Red fox Peregrine falcon Beaver Alewife (river herring) Acadia National Park boasts a rich diversity of wildlife, ranging from mammals like deer and foxes to marine creatures such as whales. Its varied ecosystems support an array of bird species, including the iconic bald eagle. Visitors can witness these animals in their natural habitats, whether along the rugged coastline or within the park's dense forests. From birdwatching to observing marine life, Acadia offers ample opportunities for wildlife enthusiasts to connect with nature and appreciate its inhabitants. Sounds of the Park Things to Do In the winter, visitors can snowshoe, snowmobile, or cross-country ski on the various paths the park provides, or go ice fishing on frozen ponds. In the summer, visitors can hike, kayak, climb, or camp at one of the park's campsites. Biking Cross-country skiing Boating When to Visit Acadia National Park has a humid continental climate with warm summers and cold, snowy winters. Precipitation is plentiful year round. Crowds tend to be highest in mid-summer and lowest in the winter. For the best balance between warm weather and manageable crowds, you can visit in the late spring to early summer (May-early June) or late summer to early fall (September). Ties to Stephen Mather Acadia National Park was established in 1919, when Stephen Mather was the director of the National Park Service. The park was renamed from "Lafayette" to "Acadia" in January 1929, only eleven days after Mather left office. Acadia is home to a Stephen Mather plaque, located at the summit of Cadillac Mountain. Fun Fact Every September, the park hosts the annual Acadia Night Sky Festival, attracting stargazers, researches, artists, and more. Previous Next

Another fun evening of creating holiday wreaths and centerpieces while sipping on holiday beverages! < Back Holiday Greenery - Nov. 30, 2022 Another fun evening of creating holiday wreaths and centerpieces while sipping on holiday beverages! Previous Next

Stephen Mather and the National Parks < Back Steven Beissinger - October 7, 2021 Stephen Mather and the National Parks Previous Next

Whatcom County, WA < Back North Cascades Whatcom County, WA 1968 Established: Size: 504,654 acres Visitors: 30,154 in 2022 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

Lake Clark, AK < Back Lake Clark Lake Clark, AK 1980 Established: Size: 4,030,015 acres Visitors: 14,479 in 2018 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next

White Pine County, NV < Back Great Basin White Pine County, NV 1986 Established: Size: 77,180 acres Visitors: 144,875 in 2021 Summary Wildlife Sounds of the Park Things to Do When to Visit Ties to Stephen Mather Fun Fact Previous Next