In 1916, the United States National Park Service was established to protect America’s unique natural and cultural resources. Yet many of the country’s most celebrated national parks had already been safeguarding stunning landscapes and historic sites decades before this agency came into existence. In fact, some of these parks are older than certain states themselves. Below, we’ve selected 10 of the oldest national parks, each showcasing a different facet of America’s heritage, whether through unparalleled natural beauty, feats of early preservation, or sites rich in Native American, geological, and military history.
1. Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho (1872)
President Ulysses S. Grant designated Yellowstone as the first national park in 1872. This marked the beginning of the national park system not only in America but also around the world. Yellowstone National Park spans across parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It houses a stunning variety of geothermal features, including the world’s largest collection of geysers. Among these is the famous Old Faithful, which is renowned for its regular eruptions.
The Grand Prismatic Spring is also one famous natural attraction at Yellowstone. This is actually the largest hot spring in the US. Also another place to explore is the dramatic Grand Canyon of Yellowstone with its towering waterfalls.
On top of the natural attractions, some of the historic sites to see in the park include Fort Yellowstone, which served as a military post in the late 19th century, and the Lake Yellowstone Hotel, a historic structure that dates back to 1891.
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One interesting thing to know is that the rich human history of Yellowstone stretches back over 11,000 years, with archaeological sites and oral traditions highlighting its significance to Native American tribes.
2. Sequoia National Park, California (1890)
Just a few years after the establishment of Yellowstone, the future of the Giant Forest was secured when logging in the area was stopped. This was when Sequoia National Park was officially created. This protected region, which is found in the Sierra Nevada mountains of California, became known as the “Land of Giants” thanks to its towering sequoia trees. The park was established in 1890, and it’s famous for its iconic General Sherman Tree, which is the largest living tree by volume. Sequoia National Park is also home to Mount Whitney, the highest peak in the contiguous US.
When visiting the park, you can explore its deep history through sites like Tharp’s Log, a cabin made from a hollowed-out sequoia, where early settler Hale Tharp lived. It’s also worth checking out Hospital Rock, which showcases ancient Native American pictographs.
The scenic landscapes in Sequoia are equally impressive. If you love hiking, you can climb Moro Rock for panoramic views of the Sierra Nevada. You can also head to the stunning Crystal Cave, a marble cavern filled with stalactites and stalagmites.
3. Yosemite National Park, California (1890)
The journey of Yosemite National Park toward preservation began in 1864 when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant, setting aside land for protection. However, it wasn’t until 1890 that the area officially became a national park.
Yosemite National Park spans over 750,000 acres in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, with the iconic Yosemite Valley attracting millions of visitors annually.
The park is famous for landmarks like El Capitan and Half Dome. Both of these are internationally renowned for rock climbing. It also houses one of the tallest waterfalls in North America, Yosemite Falls. There’s nothing quite like taking in the awe-inspiring beauty of these falls.
If you want to learn about the park’s past, you need to check out the Yosemite History Center. It features historical buildings from the early days of Yosemite as a tourist destination, including a covered bridge and pioneer cabins. There’s also the Ahwahnee Hotel, a National Historic Landmark known for its elegant 1920s architecture.
4. Mount Rainier National Park, Washington (1899)
President William McKinley established Mount Rainier National Park in 1899. This park protects the most glaciated peak in the contiguous United States, Mount Rainier, which stands at 14,410 feet and is the tallest peak in the Cascade Range.
When you head to Mount Rainier National Park, you’ll enjoy a variety of landscapes, from wildflower-filled meadows at Paradise to high alpine views at Sunrise, the highest point in the park accessible by car. Each area provides unique perspectives of the glaciers at the park. This includes the massive Nisqually Glacier, viewable from the Nisqually Vista Trail.
Mount Rainier National Park is also rich with historic sites, such as the Longmire Historic District. There’s also Paradise Inn, which is a National Historic Landmark built in 1916. It embodies the rustic architecture of the time. If you love adventures, you can hike the famous Wonderland Trail, a 93-mile loop that encircles Mount Rainier. There are also shorter trails to features like Reflection Lakes and Grove of the Patriarchs.
5. Crater Lake National Park, Oregon (1902)
This is the only national park in Oregon, and it was established in 1902. Crater Lake is famous for its brilliant blue waters that sparkle during the brief summer season. The collapse of Mount Mazama formed the volcanic caldera in which Crater Lake is nestled. The lake measures nearly 2,000 feet deep, making it the deepest in the United States and one of the clearest in the world.
Visitors to Crater Lake National Park can drive along the scenic 33-mile Rim Drive to enjoy panoramic views of the lake from various overlooks, like Watchman Peak and Sinnott Memorial Overlook.
You can stay at the Crater Lake Lodge, which was constructed in 1915 on the caldera’s edge, and enjoy some mesmerizing views. As for the historic district, Rim Village holds several early 20th-century structures built by the Civilian Conservation Corps, which adds architectural significance to the park.
Visitors also have the chance to hike to Wizard Island, a volcanic cinder cone within the lake that is accessible via summer boat tours.
6. Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota (1903)
Since its establishment on January 9, 1903, Wind Cave National Park has been a remarkable destination in South Dakota. It was the first national park created to protect a cave system. The park, which is located in South Dakota’s Black Hills, is known for Wind Cave. This is a complex cave system that features rare “boxwork” formations, a calcite structure found in very few places worldwide.
The cave’s discovery story is memorable: local brothers Tom and Jesse Bingham noticed air rushing from a small hole in 1881. This sparked exploration that eventually led to the establishment of the park.
Make sure to explore the cave on ranger-guided tours. You can choose among a variety of options, including easy walks as well as more adventurous routes. Above ground, the park spans a beautiful mixed-grass prairie ecosystem that provides habitat for bison, prairie dogs, and elk. For panoramic views of the surrounding landscape, you can explore hiking trails like Rankin Ridge.
7. Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado (1906)
Established by President Theodore Roosevelt on June 29, 1906, Mesa Verde National Park is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site dedicated to preserving the cultural legacy of the Ancestral Pueblo people. The park is found in Colorado, where it preserves over 4,700 archaeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings, that tell the story of these ancient people who built intricate stone villages within the cliffs during their final centuries in the area.
Visitors to Mesa Verde National Park can explore famous sites like Cliff Palace, the largest cliff dwelling, with 150 rooms, and Balcony House, accessible via a ladder climb and tunnels. The Mesa Top Loop drive provides a self-guided tour through mesa-top pithouses, pueblos, and farming structures that preceded the cliff dwellings. As for Park Point, the highest elevation in the park, it offers sweeping views of the Four Corners region.
8. Glacier National Park, Montana (1910)
This park is celebrated for its dramatic landscapes shaped by ancient glaciers, which once carved out its rugged peaks and deep valleys. It was established in 1910 and is located in Montana. Glacier National Park spans over a million acres and contains more than 700 miles of trails, which makes it a paradise for hikers and nature enthusiasts.
One of its key attractions is the famous Going-to-the-Sun Road, which is a 50-mile scenic drive that crosses the Continental Divide, offering breathtaking views of Logan Pass and nearby valleys. This engineering marvel, completed in 1932, is recognized as both a National Historic Landmark and a National Civil Engineering Landmark.
If you’re looking for a historic stay at Glacier National Park, then you should consider Many Glacier Hotel and Lake McDonald Lodge. They’re both built in the early 20th century and designed to complement the natural beauty of the park.
Other iconic sites include the Highline Trail for stunning mountain vistas and the Grinnell Glacier trail, which leads to one of Glacier National Park’s few remaining glaciers.
9. Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado (1915)
The stunningly diverse and elevated landscapes of Rocky Mountain National Park are among the most dramatic in the National Park System. The park is known for Trail Ridge Road, the highest paved through-road in the system. This road was built in the 1930s, and it offers breathtaking views as it traverses the Continental Divide.
Rocky Mountain National Park was created through the efforts of naturalist Enos Mills and the growing national conservation movement. It was established in 1915, and it covers over 400 square miles in Colorado’s Front Range. The park showcases towering peaks, including Longs Peak at 14,259 feet, and lush alpine landscapes shaped by glaciers over millennia.
The Holzwarth Historic Site is a preserved homestead on the park’s west side, and it provides a glimpse into early 20th-century ranch life in the Rockies. You also have Moraine Park, which is a popular area for observing elk, particularly in the fall. As for the Bear Lake Trail, it offers stunning reflections of nearby peaks and vibrant scenery.
10. Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii (It Was Part of Hawaii National Park, Established in 1916)
Located on Maui, Hawaii, Haleakalā National Park is named after the massive dormant volcano that dominates its landscape. The park was officially designated in 1961, though it was part of the larger Hawaii National Park before being established as its own entity. In 2005, the boundaries of the park were expanded to further protect its unique ecosystems.
The name “Haleakalā” means “House of the Sun” in Hawaiian. It ties back to local mythology, where the demigod Maui is said to have captured the sun to slow its movement across the sky.
The park is home to an extraordinary variety of plant and animal species, many of which are found nowhere else on Earth. Sadly, Haleakalā also has the highest number of endangered species of any national park in the US.
The volcano last erupted between 1480 and 1600, and its expansive crater and scenic landscapes continue to attract visitors globally.
