The National Park Service was officially established August 25, 1916. We had national parks long before they were brought together under the umbrella of the newly created NPS. National parks are often referred to as “America’s Best Idea”.  I agree. One of my life’s great joys is to visit and photograph our national parks.  It began when my brother and I were very small boys and our parents took us camping at Rocky Mountain National Park and Mesa Verde National Park. One of my earliest childhood memories is staying in one of the many NPS white canvas tents erected on a wooden platforms at Mesa Verde.