Yosemite National Park, California
Yosemite National Park, covering 747,956 acres in California, became a national park in 1890, and in 1984 received Unesco’s World Heritage designation bestowed on sites of outstanding significance to humanity. Now, this spectacular park will be featured on the third issue in America’s 2010-2021 National Park quarter series.
In 1864, President Lincoln signed a bill creating the Yosemite Grant (now part of the park). The grant set aside the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Tree Grove (a grove of Giant Sequoia Trees) for the public. The Giant Sequoias are among the world’s tallest living things, and Grizzly Giant, found in the Mariposa Grove, is believed to be between 1,800-2,700 years old, dating back at least to ancient Rome.
Thanks to the efforts of John Muir, who helped draw up the park’s proposed boundaries, Congress set aside much of what is now the park over a century ago. In 1906, influenced by an earlier camping trip with Muir, President Teddy Roosevelt expanded and unified the park, removing it from the state’s control and placing it under federal authority. Yosemite offers visitors distinctive geography created by glaciers, 5 of the world’s highest waterfalls and many hiking and camping opportunities.
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