Explore America’s national parks with Google Arts & Culture

The National Park Service, in collaboration with Google Arts & Culture, has introduced ‘United Parks of America,’ a virtual platform dedicated to exploring over 60 national parks and more than 150 curated exhibitions. This digital hub offers interactive features such as virtual tours, 3D artifact models, and an AI-driven storytelling experience, allowing users to engage with American history in innovative ways. This initiative invites users to begin their journey online or plan a visit to a national park on August 25, when entry is free.

The collaboration between the National Park Service and Google Arts & Culture has resulted in a new website that enables virtual exploration of America’s parks from the comfort of home. Users can partake in virtual tours, view 3D models of historical artifacts, and interact with AI to learn about the nation’s history. The ‘United Parks of America’ serves as a digital adventure gateway to iconic locations like the Grand Canyon and historical sites such as Independence National Historical Park.

National parks are not only known for their natural beauty but also as sites where American history was shaped. To preserve these valuable sites for future generations and make them accessible globally, the ‘United Parks of America’ platform was created. Launched to coincide with the National Park Service’s 110th anniversary and National Park Week, this interactive hub showcases the historical and natural wonders of the United States within a single digital space.

Users can explore more than 150 curated exhibitions, 30 virtual tours, and over 500 miles of Street View imagery spanning renowned National Parks, from the depths of the Grand Canyon to the heights of Yosemite. Among these offerings are:

• A virtual visit to the Grand Prismatic Spring at Yellowstone National Park, showcasing nature’s vibrant colors.
• Path to Independence, an AI storytelling experiment that transports users 250 years into the past at Independence National Historical Park, with AI-narrated tours exploring the Declaration of Independence.
• An interactive experience within Independence Hall, allowing users to engage with historical questions, inspect artifacts, and test their knowledge.

Preservation of heritage involves maintaining artifacts and art that narrate the national story. Fragile historical items from the Independence National Historical Park collection have been digitized, including 19 copies of the Declaration of Independence, 149 portraits from the 18th century, and over 2000 pages of historical documents. Interactive 3D models have also been developed for a closer look.

Celebrate the National Park Service’s legacy by exploring unique landscapes across six beloved national parks. Experience the majestic views of the Grand Canyon National Park through Google Arts & Culture, from the rugged cliffs east of Mather Point to a glowing horizon.

America’s parks and history are a shared heritage. Visit the ‘United Parks of America’ online hub to honor this connection, or celebrate the National Park Service’s birthday by visiting a park in person. On August 25, entry is free for U.S. citizens and residents.

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