Yosemite National Park

I have giant trees so tall they tickle the clouds. I have huge gray rocks that shine in the sun. Water tumbles down my cliffs in a sparkly, misty spray that can paint a rainbow in the air. I am a very special place, full of wonders big and small. Can you guess who I am? I am Yosemite National Park.

For a very long, long time, the first people, called the Ahwahneechee, lived here. They were my friends and took great care of me. Much later, a man with a big, bushy beard named John Muir came to visit. He loved my tall trees and big mountains. He told everyone how beautiful I was and that I needed to be kept safe for all the children to see. A very kind president named Abraham Lincoln listened. On June 30th, 1864, he signed a special paper to protect my green valley and giant trees. Then, on October 1st, 1890, I officially became a National Park for everyone to love forever.

Today, I am a happy home for black bears that lumber through the woods, gentle deer that tiptoe through the meadows, and busy squirrels that scamper up my trees. Families come to visit me from all over the world. They walk on my paths, splash in my cool rivers, and sleep under my sparkly stars at night. I love to hear the sound of happy children laughing and exploring my sunny spots. I will always be here, waiting for you to come and see my giant trees and listen to the song of my waterfalls.