Did You Know?

National parks draw millions of visitors each year. No two parks are the same, and some showcase glacial lakes, vast sand dunes or treelined vistas as far as the eye can see. Although the United States National Park Service was not established until 1916, various departments supervised park operations prior to that. That is how it was possible for Yellowstone, which is located primarily in Wyoming, with portions extending into southern Montana and eastern Idaho, to become the country’s first national park in 1872. Currently there are 63 national parks in the United States, but the National Park Service also manages various additional properties, including seashores and historical sites. Banff National Park is Canada’s first national park and the flagship of that nation’s park system. It is part of the Canadian Rocky Mountain Parks UNESCO World Heritage Site, and was established in 1885. Canada has 37 national parks and 11 national park reserves.