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Get Inspired by President Obama and Discover America’s National Parks

April 19, 2016 at 2:34 PM ET by Danielle Cohen
Summary: 
In honor of National Park Week, check out photos of President Obama visiting national parks over the years and get inspiration for your own trip.
POTUS and grandmother
A young Barack Obama with his grandmother at Yellowstone National Park.

As a young boy, President Obama’s family visited many of America’s national parks. This appreciation for our country’s beautiful outdoor spaces has stayed with him. The President has protected more than 265 million acres of America's public lands and waters -- more than any other president in history. He also has taken bold steps to protect places that are culturally and historically significant to diverse communities of Americans.

“I still remember traveling up to Yellowstone National Park, coming over a hill, and suddenly seeing just hundreds of deer and bison for the very first time. That new scenery gave me a sense of just how immense, how diverse, and how important the vast array of wildlife is to understanding and appreciating the world and our place in it. That’s something I wanted my daughters to understand when I brought them back to the very same spot at Yellowstone a few years ago. It’s something I want to preserve for our kids, grandkids, and generations to come."
President Obama reflects on visiting national parks as an 11-year-old boy

Travel Inspiration from President Obama 

During National Park Week, all national parks across the country are free of charge. Not only are these parks beautiful, but every dollar invested in the National Park Service returns $10 to the U.S. economy.

Not sure which national park to visit first? From the Grand Canyon to Acadia National Park, check out some photos from places the President has visited with his own family, then go to FindYourPark.com to start your trip.

A young Barack Obama with his mother and grandmother at a national park.
A young Barack Obama with his mother and grandmother at Yellowstone National Park.
National Park 4
Arizona, Aug. 16, 2009. Viewing the Grand Canyon. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)
National Park
Taking a boat tour of Kenai Fjords National Park. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
National Park 2
President Barack Obama and his family hike on Cadillac Mountain at Acadia National Park in Maine, July 16, 2010. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
National Park 3
President Barack Obama and U.S. Park Service rangers view a small alligator during a tour at Everglades National Park, Fla., on Earth Day, April 22, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
National Parks
Wyoming, Aug. 15, 2009. Watching geysers with the family at Yellowstone National Park. (Official White House photo by Pete Souza)

Every Kid in a Park

America’s public lands and waters offer space to get outside and get active, and are living classrooms that provide opportunities to build critical skills through hands-on activities. President Obama has worked hard to ensure that every American has the same opportunity to visit and enjoy national parks, like he did as a kid. In the lead up to the 100th birthday of the National Park Service in 2016, he launched the “Every Kid in a Park” initiative. This provides all fourth grade students and their families with free admission to national parks and other federal lands and waters for a full year.

Every Kid in a Park
President Barack Obama greets a group of students at Everglades National Park, Fla. on Earth Day, April 22, 2015. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)

Find Your Park

In 2015, the National Park Service and National Park Foundation launched Find Your Park, a campaign helping more Americans visit our astounding network of public lands and landmarks. 

This Administration is committed to helping all Americans discover the outdoors and interact with our unique and magical landscapes. Learn more about how you can discover all that America’s public lands and waters have to offer.

“Our national parks have allowed generations to discover history, nature, and wildlife in irreplaceable ways. From the highest peaks of Denali to the lowest dips of the Grand Canyon, families around our country enjoy the splendor of the outdoors."
President Obama declaring National Park Week, 2006

Danielle Cohen is an intern in the Office of Digital Strategy