When Was the First National Park Established?

President Ulysses S. Grant signed the Yellowstone National Park Protection Act on March 1, 1872, creating the world's first national park. The 8,991-square-kilometer park spans parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, protecting extraordinary geothermal features including the famous Old Faithful geyser. The idea of preserving land for public enjoyment rather than private exploitation was revolutionary at the time. The park was initially managed by the U.S. Army because there was no park service yet — the National Park Service wasn't created until 1916. Today, there are over 4,000 national parks in more than 100 countries worldwide.