The National Parks

The Empire Of Grandeur (1915-1919)

In the early 20th century, America has a dozen national parks, but they are a haphazard patchwork of special places under the supervision of different federal agencies. The conservation movement, after failing to stop the Hetch Hetchy dam, pushes the government to establish one unified agency to oversee all the parks, leading to the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916.

Thursday, 8:00PM

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.

The National Parks Clips

Roosevelt and The Grand Canyon

President Theodore Roosevelt travels to the Grand Canyon.

Ranger Baker

Ranger Gerard Baker talks about the parks being real America.

Ranger Baker

Ranger Gerard Baker talks about the parks being real America.

New Land

Dayton Duncan talks about seeing the lava flow in Hawaii.

Full The National Parks Episodes

The Last Refuge (1890-1915)

Investigate the efforts of Theodore Roosevelt, John Muir and others to protect the land.

The Empire Of Grandeur (1915-1919)

Learn about the federal agency created to protect the parks.

Morning of Creation (1946-1980)

Examine the proliferation of protected lands and the protection of predatory animals.

Great Nature (1933-1945)

Learn about the changes to the national parks during the Great Depression and World War II