Park Profiles: Stephen Mather
A short, biographical sketch of the first director of the National Park Service, Stephen Mather.
Parks channel tv
On now
Popular videos
The pulse of what's trending on The Parks Channel. Check out the most watched videos.
37°56'4.26"N, 75°22'32.44"W
Assateague Island
Maryland
Virginia
Assateague Island - The Land of Horses
Discover one of the few places in America where horses roam free. Assateague Island is a barrier island between Maryland and Virginia.
Jose Molina
37°56'4.26"N, 75°22'32.44"W
Assateague Island
Maryland
Virginia
Assateague Island - The Land of Horses
Discover one of the few places in America where horses roam free. Assateague Island is a barrier island between Maryland and Virginia.
42°22'50.07"N, 76°52'24.41"W
Watkins Glen State Park
New York
Discover the Beauty of Watkins Glen State Park
Experience one of the most visited parks in the Finger Lake region of New York State.
Jose Molina
42°22'50.07"N, 76°52'24.41"W
Watkins Glen State Park
New York
Discover the Beauty of Watkins Glen State Park
Experience one of the most visited parks in the Finger Lake region of New York State.
42°54'37.14"N, 76°47'47.43"W
Women's Rights NHP
New York
Tour of Women's Rights National Historical Park
From the Statues, to the Church, and Museum, take a tour and learn about the history of Women's Rights in Seneca Falls.
Jose Molina
42°54'37.14"N, 76°47'47.43"W
Women's Rights NHP
New York
Tour of Women's Rights National Historical Park
From the Statues, to the Church, and Museum, take a tour and learn about the history of Women's Rights in Seneca Falls.
Explore Historical Parks
- Ohio
Fallen Timbers and Fort Miamis
Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Fort Miamis National Historic Site are affiliate units of the National Park Service. The British defeat in the American Revolution left them with a problem: what to do with their vast holdings in the Old Northwest Territory, which stretched from the Great Lakes to the Mississippi River. At first, they attempted to keep the area off-limits to American settlers, but the rich farmland and abundant natural resources proved too tempting. In 1787, Congress passed the Northwest Ordinance, which provided for the surveying and sale of land in the territory. The British responded by tightening their grip on the area, constructing a series of forts to protect their interests. This only served to heighten tensions, and in 1794, those tensions erupted into violence. The Battle of Fallen Timbers was the culmination of this conflict, and it resulted in a resounding victory for the Americans. The events resulted in the dispossession of American Indian tribes and a loss of colonial territory for the British military and settlers.
Go to park page
- Alabama
Horseshoe Bend
Horseshoe Bend National Military Park is the site of the last battle of the Creek War on March 27, 1814. General Andrew Jackson's Tennessee militia, aided by the 39th U.S. Infantry Regiment and Cherokee and Lower Creek allies, won a decisive victory against the Upper Creek Red Stick Nation during the Battle of Horseshoe Bend at this site on the Tallapoosa River. Jackson's decisive victory at Horseshoe Bend broke the power of the Upper Creeks and opened up new territory in Alabama and Georgia for white settlement. On August 9, 1814, the Creeks signed the Treaty of Fort Jackson, which ceded 23 million acres of land in Alabama and Georgia to the United States government.
Go to park page
- Arizona
Fort Bowie
Fort Bowie was a 19th-century outpost of the United States Army in southeastern Arizona near what is today Willcox, Arizona. Its importance was recognized as a national historic site in 1964. The fort was established by the California Volunteers in 1862, after a series of engagements between the California Column and the Chiricahua Apaches. The Battle of Apache Pass in July 1862 secured a significant victory for the Union and helped to establish their control over Arizona during the Civil War. For more than 30 years Fort Bowie and Apache Pass were the focal point of military operations eventually culminating in the surrender of Geronimo in 1886 and the banishment of the Chiricahuas to Florida and Alabama. The fort was abandoned by the Army in 1894 and soon fell into ruins. Today, visitors can hike to the site and see the remains of the adobe Fort Bowie as well as the cemetery where many of the fort's soldiers are buried.
Go to park page
Explore Natural Parks
- Idaho
- Montana
- Wyoming
Yellowstone
On March 1, 1872, Yellowstone became the first national park for all to enjoy the unique hydrothermal and geologic features. Within Yellowstone's 2.2 million acres, visitors have unparalleled opportunities to observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers, and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River.
Go to park page
- Utah
Zion NP
Follow the paths where native Paiute people and Mormon pioneers walked. Gaze up at massive sandstone cliffs of cream, pink, and red that soar into a brilliant blue sky. Experience wilderness in a narrow slot canyon. Zion’s unique array of plants and animals will enchant you as you absorb the rich history of the past and enjoy the excitement of present day adventures.
Go to park page
- Florida
Everglades
Everglades National Park is the ultimate wilderness experience. It's the third largest national park in the lower 48 states and home to 200,000 alligators, the elusive Florida panther, and untold numbers of Burmese pythons. The Everglades is also the largest subtropical wilderness in America, making it a great place for biking, canoeing, fresh and saltwater fishing. And be sure to take a ranger-led tour to deepen your experience.
Go to park page
Parks Channel - the first stop for your next adventure!
Watch and create
We curate videos that entertain and inform. Join our growing community of creators – or simply explore.
Explore videos
Go
Create your own profile, playlists and checklists.