Close menu

20 Vintage Photos of America’s National Parks (1870-1920)

History Vintage Photos May 21, 2025

Last Updated on May 21, 2025 by Matt Staff

America’s national parks used to stand as these iconic, wild frontiers that were sought after by the world’s elite, pioneering photographers. This collection of 20 vintage national parks photos captured between the 1870s and 1920 can shine a light on the visceral scenes of nature, putting on true spectacles for those crowds lucky enough to catch everything in action.

1. Tourists watch the scalding water from the Excelsior Geyser flow into the Firehole River in Yellowstone, 1917

Black-and-white photo of the 1959 Madison River landslide in Montana, showing water rushing over debris blocking the river; pine trees and a vehicle are visible in the foreground.
getintothepast

That water looks really hot, indeed.

2. Tourists slide down a slope in Yosemite, 1903

Two children slide down a snowy hill on sleds, both bundled up in winter clothing. The scene is bright, with sunlight casting shadows on the uneven snow.
getintothepast

They really committed to it.

3. Tourists skate on a frozen lake in Yosemite, 1910

People ice skating on a frozen lake surrounded by snow-covered mountains and trees, with mist or smoke rising on the left side of the image. The scene has a vintage, historical feel.
getintothepast

Skating around on frozen lakes is always too much fun.

4. Tourists ride through Yosemite, 1900

Two women in early 20th-century clothing and hats ride donkeys in a mountainous landscape, with trees and rocky hills visible in the background.
getintothepast

It seems like it could be a slow way to get around at times.

5. Tourists ride through Mt. Rainier National Park, 1909

A group of people on horseback ride along a dirt trail through a forested mountain valley, with tall pine trees and rugged peaks in the background. The scene appears to be from an earlier time period.
getintothepast

Mt. Rainier Park has always been a beautiful place to visit.

6. Tourists ride through Glacier Point Trail, 1901

Three people wearing wide-brimmed hats sit on horseback facing Yosemite Falls, with towering cliffs and forested slopes in the background. The scene is in black and white.
getintothepast

Seems like a glorious place to take a ride.

7. Tourists pose for a picture in front of Yosemite Falls, 1900

getintothepast

A nice place to take a picture.

8. Tourists pose on Glacier Point above Yosemite Valley, 1887

Four people stand and sit on the edge of a dramatic rock cliff, high above a mountainous landscape. One person stands and points into the distance while the others look on, emphasizing the height and breathtaking view.
getintothepast

That’s a bold dude who points out like that.

9. Tourists peer over a cliff into the Grand Canyon, 1880

Two people stand on a snowy cliff edge; one leans forward, pointing down into a misty canyon, while the other holds onto their coat to keep them safe. A snow-covered tree is beside them.
getintothepast

Seriously, don’t get caught losing yourself in that view.

10. Tourists on Cloud Rest in Yosemite, 1902

Three people in old-fashioned clothing and hats stand and sit on a rocky, snow-covered mountain ridge with rugged, mountainous terrain and distant peaks visible in the background.
getintothepast

Cloud Rest seems like a great spot to post up for a while.

11. Tourists look from Cloud Rest over Little Yosemite Valley to Mount Clark, 1902

Three people in early 20th-century clothing sit and stand on a rocky ledge overlooking a vast, mountainous landscape with trees and hills in the distance.
getintothepast

What a view.

12. Tourists drive their cart on a dirt road along the Yellowstone River, 1899

A black and white photo shows a narrow road winding through steep rocky cliffs beside a river. An old automobile drives along the road, with telephone poles lining the edge near the water.
getintothepast

That is a dirt road that requires a high attention to detail, indeed.

13. Tourists climb Paradise Glacier in Mt. Rainier National Park, 1911

A group of climbers, dressed in old-fashioned clothing and carrying walking sticks, navigate a narrow snowy ridge on a mountain, surrounded by snow and ice. The scene appears historical.
getintothepast

A tough climb to say the least.

14. Tourists boat across Crater Lake, 1912

Four people sit in a rowboat on a calm lake with rippling water, surrounded by rugged, tree-covered mountains in the background under a clear sky.
getintothepast

That could be a big undertaking as far as the boating lengths go.

15. Tourists at Mirror Lake in Yosemite, 1902

Two people sit on a large rock beside a calm lake surrounded by pine trees, with tall mountains rising in the misty background. The water reflects the trees and mountains, creating a peaceful, scenic view.
getintothepast

I can see why they gave it the name Mirror Lake too.

16. Tourists and guides picnic in Yellowstone, 1903

A black-and-white photo showing people eating at picnic tables outdoors, with two men standing in front and another man cooking near a wagon labeled "Shaw & Powell." Trees and grassy hills are in the background.
getintothepast

Those Yellowstone picnics were something magical back in the day.

17. The Geyser Basins at Yellowstone, 1900

A group of people, including adults and children, stand near a steaming geyser erupting in a natural landscape with trees in the background. The scene appears to be historical, in black and white.
getintothepast

The Geyser Basins were no joking matter.

18. The view of Yosemite Valley from Inspiration Point, 1902

A woman sits on a rock, gazing at a vast mountain valley with steep cliffs, dense forest, and a waterfall in the distance, surrounded by trees.
getintothepast

That’s a view to truly get lost in.

19. The Gateway Arch at Yellowstone, 1900

Black-and-white photo of people standing under and around a large stone archway with a building and mountains in the background. The structure is massive, and the scene appears historical.
getintothepast

Now that’s a stunning arch if I’ve ever seen one.

20. “The Annie”

getintothepast

This was reportedly the first ever boat launched at Yellowstone Lake in 1871.

Explore more vintage content:

For a glimpse of stewardship taking root beyond the park gates, browse 20 Colorized Photos That Bring 1930s-1940s Farming to Life and witness the land’s bounty in living color. Then cap your adventure with 21 Vintage Photos That Reveal Penn Station’s Grandeur.

Tags:

About Author

You May Also Like

Split image: On the left, a cowboy sits on a brown horse outdoors. On the right, a close-up of a cowboy in a hat with a cigarette in his mouth, looking stern with a wooden wall behind him.
History Vintage Photos
20 Colorized Photos of the American West Before It Was Tamed
A stealth ship covered in ice navigates through freezing waters with snow-covered mountains in the background. Two crew members in winter gear work on the icy deck. The ship has a geometric, angular design with muted camouflage colors.
History
17 Military Photos of Stealth Ships Too Sneaky For Their Own Good