As Americans, we are lucky that our government thinks it is important to protect our environment and ecosystems. One way they did this was by the establishment of the National Park Service in 1916, which currently offers protection to 59 locations. As the National Park Service celebrates it's 100th birthday, here are five national parks every American should visit.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Gatlinburg, TN

The Smoky Mountains is the most visited National Park. Take a drive through the Mountians and take stops at places like Clingman's Dome, the highest point in the Smokies and the Tennessee and North Carolina borders. You might even run into some bears!

Isle Royale National Park, Lake Superior, Mi

Isle Royale is the least visited National Park, but it is the most revisited. Located in north west Lake Superior, It is a six-hour boat ride from Houghton, Mi. It is a great destination for hikers and boaters. You have to plan your trip in advance unless you want to camp, because rooms at the Rock Harbor Lodge go fast. Isle Royale's moose population exceeds the human population on the island, so if you are lucky you will run into a moose!

Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, Montana and Idaho

The first National Park and home to Old Faithful Geyser. On your visit, you will have many chances to see wolves, bears, elk and bison. Yellowstone is one of the best wildlife viewing places in the country.

Denali National Park and Reserve, Denali Park, AK

Home to North America's tallest peak, Mt. McKinley. At Denali, you can drive through the valleys and mountians of Alaska and see plenty of wildlife.

Mt. Rushmore National Memorial, Keystone, SD

One of the more popular national sites. Although it is four former presidents carved in to the side of a mountain. No big deal. It is something that everyone needs to see. There is nothing like it anywhere else in the world and people travel from all over the world to see it.

Happy 100 years National Park Service. Thank you for giving us great vacation destinations. For more information on the National Park Service and a complete list of the parks, visit https://www.nps.gov/index.htm. Happy exploring!