National Parks | Vibepedia

National parks are congressionally designated protected areas operated by the National Park Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior. The concept of national parks has been influential in the development of conservation efforts worldwide, with many countries establishing their own national park systems. The National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA) is a key organization that works to protect and preserve these areas, and its magazine is a leading publication on national park issues. The history of national parks dates back to the late 19th century. The national park system has grown to include parks in nearly every state, from the Grand Canyon in Arizona to the Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina.