Rainbow and LGBTQ+ pride flags along the top of an iron fence surrounding Christopher Park

LGBTQ+ History in National Parks

Chronicling the rich histories of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) Americans is essential to tell a more complete history of the United States, including that of our national parks. We encourage you to seek out LGBTQ+ stories – past, present, and future – in parks.

Telling a More Inclusive History

National parks preserve a variety of places commemorating America’s multi-faceted history. We continue to illuminate previously untold stories, that reflect our collective history.
Then, Now, and Beyond

With over 400 national park sites, there are countless stories of LGBTQ+ individuals and communities to share. NPF is dedicated to amplifying these stories in parks, as well as championing those who identify as LGBTQ+ in parks today.
NPF’s Commitment

NPF helps elevate and preserve LGBTQ+ stories and experiences through our history and culture programs and projects in parks across the country.

Honoring the LGBTQ+ Community

Our national parks are powerful places that should reflect the stories of America in all its diversity and complexity. For many years, the stories of LGBTQ+ Americans have been erased through laws and prejudice. For many LGBTQ+ groups, preserving and interpreting their past has been an important part of building communities and mutual support. Thanks to these efforts, we can find LGBTQ+ stories and experiences across the country.

NPF is committed to preserving history and culture in parks with an aim to share more comprehensive and inclusive stories that amplify the full range of experiences and voices that are woven into the fabric of the United States, including members of the LGBTQ+ community. NPF is also proud to support programs and projects that welcome and provide safe spaces for those who identify as LGBTQ+ to enjoy and engage with our parks.

NPF's Work in This Space

NPF supports national parks, programs, and projects that highlight the stories of those who identify as LGBTQ+ – those who made history and those who continue to shape our future.

Area of Work

History & Culture

NPF’s work in preserving history and culture supports programs and projects that identify and share more inclusive stories in parks across the country.

Learn More

Program
NPS Mellon Humanities Fellowship
Supports the work of humanities scholars whose research and analysis of the complex and fascinating histories in and around our parks helps us discover untold perspectives.
Program
Inclusive Storytelling
Supports contemporary research in parks, as well as projects that transform this research into relevant interpretative products – from interpretive park programs and exhibits to websites and videos.
Program
ParkVentures
Engages historically excluded communities, including the LGBTQ+ community, through outdoor recreation opportunities in national parks.

The ParkVentures program is proudly supported by Nature Valley, Subaru of America, Niantic, Sun Outdoors, Winnebago, and Winnebago Industries Foundation. Additional support is provided by Apple, American Airlines, EVOLVE Plant-Based Protein, Expedia, Kohl’s, and Michelob ULTRA Pure Gold.

Recent Projects

Explore just some of the projects supported by NPF that help preserve and share LGBTQ+ history and culture.

Stonewall National Monument

Unveiling the First LGBTQ+ History Visitor Center

NPF is supporting Pride Live to open the Stonewall National Monument Visitor Center. Stonewall National Monument, located at the site of the historic Stonewall Uprising, tells the story of the LGBTQ+ civil rights movement. The visitor center, the first within NPS dedicated to LGBTQ+ history, will offer immersive exhibits, educational resources, and community programming.

Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks

Queers in the Wilderness

An NPF ParkVentures grant supported Eastern Sierra Conservation Corps to fund an immersive and skills-building backpacking trip for queer-identifying individuals at Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
Stonewall National Monument

Supporting Stonewall National Monument

Since the designation of Stonewall National Monument in 2016, NPF has been working in partnership with NPS and local community organizations to develop programs and initiatives that celebrate LGBTQ+ communities.
Project

Venture Out Project Volunteer Program

NPF supported the Venture Out Project in efforts to launch a nationwide volunteer program. Funds helped hire a volunteer coordinator who is recruiting volunteers nationwide to bolster the organization’s mission of creating safe and affirming environments to bring queer people together in outdoor adventure.

Project

Rainbow Crews

For several years NPF has funded Northwest Youth Corps to run LGBTQ+ Rainbow service corps crews. Crews have accomplished priority backlog and maintenance projects at Mount Rainier National Park, landscape work at Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, and other projects at Olympic National Park, while bonding as groups and growing as individuals.
Grand Teton National Park

Funding a Queer Crew’s Work at Grand Teton

NPF supported an American Conservation Experience Queer Inclusion Crew at Grand Teton National Park to address deferred maintenance, mitigate climate change impacts, and increase access for visitors with physical disabilities.
Project

Nature & Nurture with Pride Outside

NPF’s ParkVentures program helped fund Pride Outside’s Nature and Nurture series, connecting the LGBTQ+ community to the outdoors. A second ParkVentures grant is supporting Pride Outside to build on that program with eight additional community workshops and hikes at Rock Creek Park for members of the local LBGTQ+ community to celebrate queer joy; increase physical, mental, and social health; and cultivate connections.

NPS Resources

Educational Tools
Education Resources
Explore NPS’s free education tools and materials for teachers, interpreters, students, and lifelong learners inside and outside the National Park Service.
Park Spotlight
Featured Places
Learn about national park sites and other places associated with LGBTQ+ history in America.
Theme Study
LGBTQ+ Heritage Theme Study
Published by NPF for NPS and funded by the Gill Foundation, the theme study, “LGBTQ America: A Theme Study of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer History” was part of NPS’ Heritage Initiative.