Take A Break: Celebrate the National Park Service

Aug. 25 is the 100^th anniversary of the National Park Service, which is responsible for overseeing national parks, monuments, reservations and historic sites. US. Their purpose is to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations." The National Park System of the United States now comprises more than 400 areas covering more than 84 million acres in 50 states, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, Saipan, and the Virgin Islands. These areas are of such national significance as to justify special recognition and protection in accordance with various acts of Congress.

Some fun facts about National Parks

• The most visited park-Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee

• Least visited Gates of the Arctic in Alaska

• Hottest Location: Death Valley in California and Nevada

• Contains the highest mountain: Denali in Alaska 

• Largest tropical wilderness: Everglades in Florida

• Oldest Park: Hot Springs in Arkansas

Try one or more of the following:

• Find a Park Experience You can search for both in person and virtual experiences.

• If time is no object, download the map of the shortest possible road trip through all 47 National Parks.