Kings Canyon National Park: David Palefsky
A leaf, a flower, a stone – the simple beauty of nature filled John Muir with joy.
Born April 21, 1838, Muir has become America’s most famous naturalist and conservationist. He shared his love of the outdoors through writing and inspired people to protect our country’s wild places like Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Sequoia and King’s Canyon national parks — earning him the nickname the Father of the National Parks.
His passion for these special places fueled the formation of the National Park Service, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary this year.
Muir’s words still inspire countless visitors to experience America’s great outdoors, and now’s the perfect time to get outside and start exploring your public lands. Visit all national parks for free during National Park Week from April 16-24.
Get inspired with a few of our favorite John Muir quotes:
“The mountains are calling and I must go.”
Redwood National and State Parks: Jessica Watz
“Between every two pine trees there is a door leading to a new way of life.”
Grand Canyon National Park: Robert Shuman
“I only went out for a walk, and finally concluded to stay out till sundown, for going out, I found, was really going in.”
A view of the mountains from the Appalachian Trail by the Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park: Glynn Wilson
“Climb the mountains and get their good tidings. Nature’s peace will flow into you as sunshine into trees.”
A view of the Appalachian Trail by the Big Meadows Campground in the Shenandoah National Park: Glynn Wilso
“Another glorious day, the air as delicious to the lungs as nectar to the tongue.”
A juvenile black bear in the Shenandoah National Park: Glynn Wilson
“The clearest way into the Universe is through a forest wilderness.”
A rainbow after an afternoon storm over the Big Meadows Campground in Shenandoah National Park: Glynn Wilson
“How glorious a greeting the sun gives the mountains! To behold this alone is worth the pains of any excursion a thousand times over.”
Denali National Park: Jose Torres
“The snow is melting into music.”
A view of the blooming golden ragwart [packera aurea] from my campsite at Big Meadows in Shenandoah: Glynn Wilson
“Keep close to Nature’s heart… and break clear away, once in a while, and climb a mountain or spend a week in the woods. Wash your spirit clean.”
A dark-eyed junco junco hyemalis at Big Meadows in the Shenandoah National Park: Glynn Wilson
“This grand show is eternal. It is always sunrise somewhere; the dew is never all dried at once; a shower is forever falling; vapor ever rising.”
Celebrate National Park Week April 16-24
See more at SharetheExperience.org
