The National Park Service Turns 100

AV's Intern Team | October 7, 2016

By Tristin Van Ord

August 25, 2016 marked the 100th birthday of the National Park Service.

The agency has been hosting events all year in honor of the centennial.

Shenandoah National Park is celebrating with the “Centennial Quilts Tour,” which will display quilts at multiple locations around Shenandoah with scenes from all of the national parks.

Other parks throughout Appalachia are recognizing the centennial as well.

The New River Gorge National River, Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Appalachian Trail are celebrating with 100-mile hiking challenges. Hikers can record the miles they’ve hiked in each park online at the National Park Service website. The challenge started in January, but hikers can record miles until December 31 at New River Gorge and the Appalachian Trail, and until December 6 in the Smoky Mountains.

The Blue Ridge Parkway is honoring the centennial through their “100 ways” website, which offers different events and activities that visitors can engage in during their travels.