National Park Service Founders Day

National Park Service Founders Day is observed every year on August 25. This holiday honors the visionaries who first took responsibility for preserving the United States’ most treasured natural resource: its national parks. Today, the National Park Service (NPS) protects not only national parks but also historic sites, monuments, nature reserves, seashores, recreation areas, former battlefields, and military installations.

History

At first, there was no centralized service managing national parks—each park was overseen separately by the Department of the Interior. Businessman Stephen Mather and his colleague Horace McFarland advocated for a unified agency to safeguard America’s natural and historic wonders. They were joined by journalist Robert S. Yard, and together they launched a major public campaign. As a result, President Woodrow Wilson signed the bill establishing the NPS into law on August 25, 1916. This is why National Park Service Founders Day falls on this date.

Interesting Facts

The NPS encourages everyone to visit national parks and has established a network of special trails designed to meet safety and accessibility standards. Before visiting, check the park’s website to choose trails that suit your experience level. Some routes are challenging even for experienced hikers, but there are also accessible trails designed for people with disabilities, including those who are visually impaired or use wheelchairs.

How to Take Part

• Visit one of the national parks in your country, or in any country you are traveling to. The United States alone is home to 63 national parks, and many other nations protect beautiful natural spaces.
• If you know someone who works for the NPS, congratulate them on their professional holiday.
• Consider becoming an NPS volunteer and take an active role in conservation. Encourage friends to do the same on social media using the hashtag #NPSFoundersDay.

When is National Park Service Founders Day in 2025?

National Park Service Founders Day is observed on August 25 each year.

Observations