The story of an idea as uniquely American as the Declaration of Independence and just as radical: that the most special places in the nation should be preserved, not for royalty or the rich, but for everyone. Now streaming.

The National Parks | Full Documentary Now Streaming

The Creation of Yosemite National Park

Explore the early days of Yosemite National Park, and the experiences of President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir in Yosemite Canyon.

Clip 11m 44s

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The Creation of Yosemite National Park

11m 44s

Explore the early days of Yosemite National Park, and the experiences of President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir in Yosemite Canyon.

Preview

Official Trailer

30s

Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales, the film is a story of people from every conceivable background—rich and poor, soldiers and scientists, natives and newcomers—who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy.

Preview

The National Parks: An Introduction

7m 18s

Introductory clip from THE NATIONAL PARKS: America's Best Idea, a film by Ken Burns.

Full Length

National Park Experience | Canyon Song

13m 31s

A Navajo family balances modern life with the traditional "Navajo Way," teaching their children their language, culture, and ceremony within the sacred walls of Canyon de Chelly National Monument. This short film from National Park Experience is part of a series highlighting the powerful and diverse stories of people who are forging incredible relationships with the National Parks.

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Ranger Baker

34s

Ranger Gerard Baker talks about the parks being real America.

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Roosevelt and The Grand Canyon

3m 11s

President Theodore Roosevelt travels to the Grand Canyon.

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Grand Canyon, Floating the River

1m 36s

Writer Ruth Kirk muses on the the awe-inspiring nature of the Grand Canyon, and the effect that it has on a person who chooses to float the river.

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The Creation of Yosemite National Park

11m 44s

Explore the early days of Yosemite National Park, and the experiences of President Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir in Yosemite Canyon.

Clip

Mr. President Goes to Yellowstone

11m 48s

In celebration of Yellowstone's anniversary in 2010, The White House released a short film about the First Family's trip to the park and archival footage of previous Presidential visits.

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Grand Tetons

1m 44s

Terry Tempest Williams talks about what the Grand Tetons mean to her.

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Filmmakers Interview | The Park Idea

2m 23s

Over a montage of images of the country's most spectacular landscapes, writer Dayton Duncan talks about the notion that is at the heart of the park idea: namely that the people own the land. The magnificent views of mountains, waterfalls and canyons belong not to an exclusive few, but to everyone and this is what makes it a truly democratic idea.

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George Melendez Wright

3m 50s

George Melendez Wright changed how the Park Service preserved wildlife.

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For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People

48s

At the entrance to Yellowstone National Park is a stone arch inscribed with the words: "For the Benefit and enjoyment of the people". Listen to park ranger, Shelton Johnson, as he discusses his arrival at Yellowstone and what those words mean to him.

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The Work of the Civilian Conservation Corp

2m 10s

The Civilian Conservation Corp worked on National Parks Service projects under FDR.

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New Land

1m 58s

Dayton Duncan talks about seeing the lava flow in Hawaii.

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Great Nature

4m 50s

Obata discusses Nature and it's impact on his art.

About the Film

The National Parks: America's Best Idea is a six-episode series produced by Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan and written by Dayton Duncan. Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales – from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska.

The National Parks: America's Best Idea is nonetheless a story of people: people from every conceivable background – rich and poor; famous and unknown; soldiers and scientists; natives and newcomers; idealists, artists and entrepreneurs; people who were willing to devote themselves to saving some precious portion of the land they loved, and in doing so reminded their fellow citizens of the full meaning of democracy.

Premiered on PBS: September 27, 2009