In the Company of Beloved Centenarians
The National Park Service wasn’t the only one celebrating its centennial in 2016! Six notable national parks also passed the 100-year-marker this year. Scroll through, learn more about these breathtaking places, and be inspired to #FindYourPark at any of these gems.
Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park
Though the original log cabin where Abraham Lincoln was born no longer stands on Sinking Spring Farm, the land that preserves his birthplace remains protected in Kentucky. In 1911, construction finished on the nation’s first Lincoln Memorial Building and by 1916, the site was donated to the government and it became a national park. Two units make up the over 110 acres of this site – the Lincoln Birthplace Unit (where you can visit the memorial building) and the Lincoln Boyhood Home Unit.
Acadia National Park
Maine’s Acadia National Park was first established as Sieur de Monts National Monument on July 8, 1916; thus becoming the first national park east of the Mississippi River. Created through private donations of land, Acadia has benefited from the support of passionate park supporters and volunteers who have contributed resources for the enhancement of the park for the past 100 years. This popular northeastern destination promises inviting views from every angle, including vistas from Cadillac Mountain and along the Jordan Pond Path.
Bandelier National Monument
The mesas and canyons of Bandelier National Monument preserve stories that date back over 10,000 years. From the early nomads who came to the area in pursuit of migrating wildlife, to the Ancestral Pueblo people who built their homes from the canyon’s volcanic tuff, the human history of this New Mexican national park will mesmerize you. Take a trip back in time as you traverse any of the over 70 miles of trails here.
Capulin Volcano National Monument
Spanning 800 acres across northeastern New Mexico, Capulin Volcano National Monument preserves one of the many volcanoes found in this section of the Great Plains. Congress identified the importance of preserving this unique landscape in 1891 and by 1916, the land was designated as a national park unit by President Woodrow Wilson. Capulín (which is Spanish for Chokecherry) Volcano offers spectacular views of the dramatic landscape from its crater rim.
Haleakalā National Park
Haleakalā National Park preserves over 30 thousand acres of stunning landscape on Hawai'i's island of Maui. The park, which spans from the coastal Kīpahulu District to the Summit District, is home to more than 200 endangered species, including the Hawaiian Goose (known as the nēnē) and Haleakalā silverswords (known as 'ahinahina). Visitors flock to this park to enjoy the views of the ocean, the crater, and the expansive sky.
Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park
When it was established in 1916, Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park was known as Hawai'i National Park and originally encompassed the now distinct Haleakalā National Park. Visitors to the park will have an opportunity to explore seven ecological systems and two of the world’s most active volcanoes – Mauna Loa and Kīlauea. Of the countless can’t-miss views in the park, be sure to catch a glimpse of Halema'uma'u Crater’s glow.
Join us in wishing these six beloved national parks a happy 100th birthday by following them on social, visiting them often, and sharing your #FindYourPark adventures with us online.
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