America’s national parks are a treasured asset for the millions of visitors they host every year. They are also a rich resource for the scholars who study the history of our species and planet. The Smithsonian’s surveys and collections have played a role in creating new national parks, including Yellowstone, the world’s first national park created in 1872. Smithsonian scientists are actively deepening the knowledge of America’s historical, cultural and natural heritage stewarded through various national parks today. Explore our national parks through a selection of digitized resources in the Smithsonian's collections.
