There are many beautiful places in the USA to explore. Among these places, the country’s beautiful national parks bring the utmost joy for tourists. Ranging from tall mountains to valleys and peaceful as well as wild deserts, the land has beauty at its peak. But it’s not all just about beauty; these parks have some important tales about the country’s history.
Under Donald Trump’s presidency, a new rule about how to shape these stories has been introduced. The new rule would focus on avoiding the negative history of America and only focus on the positive side. However, critics also worry that it could erase an important part of the history. The same law is now also going to apply to the national parks.
Let’s take a look at some of the best national parks to visit in the US, along with the interesting stories behind them.
1. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)
It is the first national park in the world. It is famous for its springs, wildlife and natural beauty. History tells us that many Native American tribes lived in the park. However, the government forced them to leave when it created the park. In today’s history, there is no such sign of these forced migrations.
2. Yosemite National Park (California)
Giant cliffs and waterfalls make Yosemite famous. Hikers and photographers will find this park a must-visit destination. Once upon a time, native Americans used to call the Park their home. However, under Trump’s rule, it would not be easy for them to do so. As the history of America contains both positive and negative parts. The new Administration policies require people to avoid the negative parts.
3. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
This is a huge valley, and no doubt it is one of the famous wonders of the world. It is also home to many indigenous tribes of the country who once called the park their home. Despite being home to these tribes, their stories are often unheard by the tourists, their guides and signs.
4. Selma to Montgomery Trail (Alabama)
This trail is one of the most famous, even around the world. It honours the Civil Rights marches of the 1960s in the history of the USA. Pertinent to mention that it is not just a walk on the trail, it is a journey through the history rights movement. As per the assessment that the trail would be most affected by Trump’s administration policy to avoid negative stories of racism and injustice.
5. Great Smoky Mountains (Tennessee, North Carolina)
This park is famous for its foggy mountains, wildlife and beautiful forests. It is one of the most visited national parks in the USA. The park is also home to a variety of animals and plants, including some very rare ones compared to any other park in the country. In the park, you can also explore how the early settlers, i.e. old Appalachians, used to live there.
6. Manzanar National Historic Site (California)
It is another one of the famous parks in the country. It shares the story of how the U.S. government forced Japanese Americans into camps during World War II. Even though this is a powerful part of American history, the new rules might change the story or make it sound more positive.
7. Zion National Park (Utah)
If you are looking for some adventure, then this park is a really good choice for you. It contains red rock cliffs with narrow canyons. It is a great place for hiking with some trails, even challenging ones. Among these popular hikes is Angels Landing, which provides a spectacular view. Beyond its beauty, it used to be the home of the Southern Paiute people. Today, their history is an important part of the area.
8. Denali National Park (Alaska)
It is home to North America’s tallest mountain. Denali is full of wild beauty with animals. Its name, Denali, was made official in 2015. Previously, it was called Mount McKinley, even though many Alaskans disagreed. The park spans over 6 million acres, containing glaciers, alpine meadows, with diverse wildlife including bears and wolves. It used to be the home of several Athabascan groups, including Koyukons. The name Denali means The Great One in the Koyukon language.
9. Everglades National Park (Florida)
It is a big wet area with slow rivers, tall grasses and mangroves. A home to alligators, manatees and several rare birds. An important aspect of the park is that you can explore the park both on the boat and on foot to view the nature beauty of the Everglades. Native American tribes like Miccosukee and Seminole lived here for a long time. They have their type of culture. These people work hard to protect their culture.
What Was the Trump Directive?
Donald Trump’s administration in 2020 formulated a policy to stop showing negative signs of American history. The purpose of the policy is to focus on the country’s progress. It involves parks to remove signs showing America in a bad light, encourages visitors to report content that they did not like, and focuses more on nature than its history. However, critics believe that is always important to tell the whole story, both good and bad to understand history comprehensively.
Why This Matters
National parks are more than just beautiful places to visit. These parks are like outdoor classrooms. It teaches you about the nature, culture and history of the place. If parks are forced not to tell the whole story, visitors might miss the complete truth about the country’s history.
FAQs
Q: Are national parks political now?
They are still nature-focused, but yes, politics has started to shape how their stories are told.
Q: What kinds of parks are affected the most?
Parks that deal with civil rights, Native history, or past injustice may be changed the most.
Q: Can I still learn about real history at parks?
Yes, but the stories might be shorter, softer, or hidden unless you ask or dig deeper.
