- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Tags:
- AppreciationCareerConservation
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every August 25
- Holiday emoji:
- 🏞️
National Park Service Founders Day recognizes the dedicated individuals who established and continue to preserve America’s invaluable national parks every August 25. This day inspires us to explore the breathtaking landscapes, rich history, and diverse ecosystems protected by the NPS. Plan a visit to a park, learn about its unique features, or support conservation efforts to ensure these treasures endure for future generations.
Want to sponsor National Park Service Founders Day? Learn how
Expected National Park Service Founders Day Deals
On National Park Service Founders Day, August 25, the focus shifts from commercial deals to celebrating and supporting America’s natural wonders. Many parks, like Yellowstone and Grand Canyon, often offer free admission on this special day, encouraging visitors to experience their beauty firsthand. Organizations like the National Park Foundation and Friends of the National Parks groups host fundraising drives and volunteer events, often partnering with brands like REI and Patagonia for donation matching. Local businesses near park entrances may offer special discounts to park rangers and staff as a token of appreciation. We will update this page with confirmed live events and programs as August 25 approaches.
Platform Guide for National Park Service Founders Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #NPSFoundersDay. Share stunning photos and videos from your favorite national park visits, highlighting their natural beauty.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #NPSFoundersDay. Share interesting facts about park history, conservation efforts, or notable figures in the NPS.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #NPSFoundersDay. Share personal stories and memories from your experiences in national parks, fostering community engagement.
National Park Service Founders Day Hero
Stephen Mather
History of National Park Service Founders Day
On August 25, 1916, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act. The Act established the National Park Service. As part of the Department of Interior, the National Park Service protects 400 areas across the 50 American states and territories and the district of Columbia. They are entrusted with the protection of national parks totaling 84 million acres!
The first national park, Yellowstone, was established in 1872. Congress passed legislation to preserve the land as a public park that would benefit the Americans. This made America the first country in the world to create a public park solely for the benefit of its citizens. This would be the first of many steps that the government would take to create and preserve national land, forests, coastal regions, wildlife refuges, and historic sites for posterity.
At the time when the National Park Service was founded, there were only 33 federally created areas. This included the National Capital Parks, the National Mall, and the White House in Washington D.C. Today, there are more than 400 areas, including 59 fully designated national parks that are looked after by the National Park Service. Covering more than 84 million acres, they range from the tiny Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial in Pennsylvania of only .02 acres, to Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve spanning a vast 13.2 million acres. The National Park Service has 22,000 workers who are involved in permanent, temporary, and seasonal employment. An additional 340,000 volunteers are also enrolled with the service. These parks welcome almost 300 million visitors every year.
National Park Service Founders Day timeline
There is no state government to manage Yellowstone, so the Federal Government steps in.
A portfolio of nine major parks is published to generate interest.
Postage stamps are issued to commemorate the reorganization and expansion of the National Park Service.
Wirth becomes the director of the N.P.S. and improves park quality on public demand.
How Businesses Can Celebrate National Park Service Founders Day
Local businesses can honor National Park Service Founders Day by promoting nearby national parks or natural areas. Restaurants could feature locally-sourced ingredients, highlighting the connection to regional landscapes. Outdoor gear shops can offer discounts on park essentials like maps or hiking equipment, or host informational sessions on park safety and etiquette. Consider organizing a community clean-up event at a local park or donating a portion of sales to a national park conservancy group to support preservation efforts.
National Park Service Founders Day FAQs
When is National Park Service Founders Day?
National Park Service Founders Day 2026 falls on Tuesday, August 25. This annual observance honors the establishment of the NPS and its ongoing mission to preserve America’s natural and cultural heritage.
How many national parks are there in the U.S.?
As of 2026, the National Park System encompasses over 420 sites across all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and U.S. territories. This includes 63 designated national parks, alongside national monuments, preserves, historical parks, and more.
How many people visit U.S. national parks each year?
Annually, U.S. national parks welcome hundreds of millions of visitors. In recent years, the system has seen over 300 million recreational visits, highlighting the immense popularity and importance of these natural spaces for tourism and recreation.
Why was the National Park Service created?
The National Park Service was created to manage and protect the existing national parks and monuments, which were previously overseen by various federal agencies. Its establishment aimed to unify their administration and ensure their preservation for future generations.
How to Observe National Park Service Founders Day
Visit a national park
What better way to celebrate National Park Service Founders Day than by visiting a national park? Find a national park closest to you and set off with your friends to appreciate nature in all its glory.
Treat a serviceman
Know anyone who is or was an employee of the National Park Service? Treat them to a meal or bring them a small gift as a gesture of thanks on this day,
Volunteer
You can register yourself as a volunteer with the National Park Service as a way to do your bit in conserving protected lands. You can also encourage your friends to sign up as volunteers.
5 Facts About Forests That Will Blow Your Mind
Forests have an impressive land cover
Forests cover around four billion hectares or 30% of Earth’s land surface.
The Amazon is rich in biodiversity
The highest biodiversity ever recorded on land is in the Amazon rainforest.
Forests are quickly disappearing
Research says that 15.3 billion trees are chopped down every year.
Humans are responsible for disappearing forests
Russia, Canada, and Brazil had the highest gross forest cover loss between 2012 and 2014.
Brazil is committed to preserving forests
Brazil, with 206 million hectares, has the largest protected forest area.
Why National Park Service Founders Day is Important
Because we love the national parks
National parks are a space for recreation and protecting animals and plants. As outdoor spaces become increasingly rare, National Park Service Founders Day reminds us of the importance of preserving them.
It’s a day to express our appreciation
Employees and volunteers work tirelessly to make national parks and other open spaces accessible to all Americans. This is a day to express our gratitude to these servicemen.
It encourages mindful living
National parks illustrate how nature and humans can peacefully coexist. On this day, we can pledge to live a more sustainable life.
Social Media Tips for National Park Service Founders Day
Individuals
Creators
Brands