How National Parks Started: A Story of Nature, Bureaucracy, and Bears

Let’s rewind to the mid-1800s, a time when America was an untamed wilderness of soaring peaks, sprawling forests, and not a single parking lot in sight. Back then, preserving nature wasn’t exactly a priority. People mostly looked at a lush forest and thought, “You know what this needs? More sawmills.”

Then came Yellowstone. In 1872, Congress decided that this steaming, geyser-filled chunk of Wyoming deserved saving—not because they were feeling particularly sentimental, but because it was too dangerous to turn into a strip mall. With President Ulysses S. Grant’s signature, Yellowstone became the first national park, kicking off a tradition of protecting nature so humans could enjoy it... from a safe distance.

Why Save Nature?

Back in the 19th century, the great outdoors was less about “reconnecting with nature” and more about “trying not to die from it.” So why preserve it? The answer was simple: tourism. Wealthy city-dwellers wanted a place to escape the soot and chaos of industrial life and pretend they were rugged pioneers. And thus, the idea of national parks was born—a safe haven for people to feel adventurous, as long as there were marked trails and snack stands nearby.

Bears: Nature’s Unofficial Mascots

As America’s first national park, Yellowstone quickly became a hotspot for wildlife sightings—and bears were the undeniable stars of the show. Early visitors were thrilled by the chance to see these massive creatures up close, sometimes a little too close. Bears, drawn by the scent of campfire-cooked meals, became a frequent and entertaining presence at campsites, picnic spots, and even hotels.

In the early days, feeding bears was oddly encouraged, with park rangers and tourists alike treating it as part of the Yellowstone experience. Over time, these interactions underscored the importance of protecting both visitors and wildlife. The bears became a symbol of the wild’s untamed beauty—and a reminder of why preserving these spaces was so important. Today, bears remain an iconic part of the national park experience, though feeding them is (thankfully) a thing of the past.

John Muir: The Patron Saint of Nature Nerds

Enter John Muir, the original outdoors influencer. Muir wasn’t just a guy who liked trees—he really liked trees. The man spent his days wandering Yosemite like a 19th-century nature paparazzi, documenting every cliff and flower with the enthusiasm of someone who’d never heard of a smartphone.

But Muir wasn’t just waxing poetic about granite. He was a relentless advocate for preserving wild spaces. One of his biggest wins came after he convinced President Teddy Roosevelt to camp with him in Yosemite. Picture it: Muir passionately pitching conservation ideas while Roosevelt swatted mosquitoes and tried not to fall into a ravine. The result? Yosemite became a national park in 1890. Today, Muir is a legend, and his name graces countless trails, mountains, and, most importantly, stickers.

Teddy Roosevelt: Nature’s Biggest Fanboy

Speaking of Roosevelt, he was like the action hero of the national park movement. He loved nature so much that he spent his presidency exploring, hunting, and declaring random swaths of land protected just because he could. Under his watch, the National Park Service grew exponentially, proving that nothing says “I love the wilderness” like turning it into government property.

Modern-Day National Parks: Nature Meets Instagram

Fast forward to today, and national parks are thriving—if you ignore the crowds, the questionable campsite cooking, and the occasional tourist trying to hug a bison. Parks are now a mix of rugged adventure and Instagram hotspots, where people “unplug” by taking selfies with mountains.

Sure, parking lots are full and “Leave No Trace” rules are frequently ignored, but that’s a testament to how much people love these spaces. National parks have become places where everyone can experience the wonder of nature—whether you’re scaling a cliff, staring at a waterfall, or just pretending to enjoy trail mix.

So, next time you’re hiking through Zion or snapping photos at Yosemite, remember: These places exist because people like Muir and Roosevelt fought to save them. And now, we keep that legacy alive—one muddy boot and one cleaned-up trail at a time.

Oh, and if you want to give back to nature, check out our stickers and apparel. They don’t just look good—they help fund trail cleanups. Because, let’s be honest, nature doesn’t clean itself.