Skip to main content

Google Doodle celebrates the diverse beauty of US National Parks

Google Doodle celebrates the diverse beauty of US National Parks

Share this story

If you buy something from a Verge link, Vox Media may earn a commission. See our ethics statement.

The National Park System is turning 100, and The Verge is celebrating with Wilderness Week: a look at the natural world, its freaky critters, and its future.

 

Today's Google Doodle celebrates the 100th anniversary of US National Parks through a video that beautifully illustrates the wonders of nature. The animation highlights all the ways our national parks inspire awe, from the breathtaking landscape of the Grand Canyon to their role as vibrant ecosystems.

Designated in 1916 by President Woodrow Wilson, the US National Park Service has provided 84 million acres of protected land for the free-spirited to explore.

"The coolest thing about the national parks is that they exist for everyone," designer Sophie Diao said on the Google Doodles blog. "Whether you’re a hiker, climber, camper, or 'glam'per – whether you travel by bicycle, foot, or chair – there’s a park for you."

The Doodle comes as we're winding down on Wilderness Week, but there's more to come! So far we've covered everything from unlocking the secrets of baby lizard DNA to Bill Nye vouching that our national parks make Earth the best place to live.


A scientist's plan to hack the climate