Yellowstone National Park (photo: FreeImages/Erik Marr)
On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed a bill creating the National Park Service to protect and maintain sites of natural and historical significance. It was one of the smartest moves we ever made as a country, ensuring the longevity of the places that make America, well, America—from majestic mountain ranges and wide open spaces to deserts, wetlands, caverns, and everything in between.
To celebrate 100 years of national parks, we here at Frommer's are paying tribute to old standbys like Yellowstone and Yosemite, heralding overlooked gems, and picking our favorites in the Southwest and Pacific Northwest. To help with trip planning, we've got recommendations for the best national park lodges, a roundup of parks ideal for kids, and a handy list of dates when you can get into the parks for free.
You also have our permission to take time off from work to watch the Grand Canyon episodes of The Brady Bunch.