How a Camping Trip in Yosemite Shaped America: Kevin Costner Uncovers the Wild Story

The "Yellowstone" star explores the unlikely events that led to the creation of America's National Park system in a new docuseries.

awalon

2 weeks ago · Updated 2 weeks ago

Kevin Costner, the name behind hits like "Field of Dreams" and the modern-day western drama "Yellowstone," is taking us back in time to the real Wild West. His new three-part docuseries, "Yellowstone to Yosemite," just launched on Fox Nation, and it's all about a story that's, as Costner himself says, "stranger than fiction."

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The "Impossible" Story of How America's National Parks Came to Be

Costner isn't just telling any old story. He's digging into the seemingly random events that, unbelievably, paved the way for one of the most important moments in American history: the birth of our National Park system.

"It's a story about crazy coincidences," Costner explains. Imagine: a kid with asthma, a president getting assassinated, a factory accident – totally separate events, right? But Costner argues these were all necessary pieces of the puzzle that brought together two key figures in the wilderness for three days that would ultimately reshape America forever.

"A young boy suffering from severe asthma, a president's assassination, a horrible accident at a wagon wheel factory – unrelated events in most people's minds, but they all needed to happen for this story to unfold..." - Kevin Costner

Sounds intriguing, doesn't it? Costner definitely thinks so: "That's a story worth telling, don't you think?"

Following in the Footsteps of Giants: Roosevelt and Muir's Yosemite Adventure

"Yellowstone to Yosemite" isn't just a history lesson; it's an adventure. Costner takes us along on the journey of President Teddy Roosevelt and the legendary environmentalist John Muir's 1903 expedition to Yosemite National Park. This wasn't just a casual stroll in the woods. These two men, from vastly different backgrounds, braved tough conditions to experience the raw beauty of Yosemite firsthand.

President Theodore Roosevelt, left, poses with John Muir for pictures on Overhanging Rock at the top of Glacier Point, near which the men camped in a hollow and awoke to five inches of snow in 1903.

The series promises to explore America's indigenous history, the waves of newcomers who shaped the West, and how John Muir transformed into a passionate advocate for protecting America's wild spaces.

Learn more about John Muir and his incredible life.

Costner paints a vivid picture of their meeting: "Two men embark on a camping trip. These two men have never met before. They pushed through heavy snow, get soaked with rain and wash down steaks with hot coffee." Imagine the conversations around that campfire!

From Campfire Dreams to National Parks: A Legacy Forged in Yosemite

What happened on that camping trip wasn't just chit-chat. It was a brainstorming session that sparked a movement. Roosevelt and Muir's discussions in Yosemite were instrumental in laying the groundwork for America's National Park System as we know it today.

Maps will help you plan your trip to and in national parks.
NPS/Hannah Schwalbe

Thanks in part to that Yosemite trip, America now boasts 150 National Forests, numerous National Parks (including, of course, the iconic Yosemite National Park itself!), and has protected a staggering 230 million acres of land. It's a legacy that continues to benefit us all.

Want to Watch "Yellowstone to Yosemite"? Here's How

Ready to dive into this "stranger than fiction" story? "Yellowstone to Yosemite" is streaming now on Fox Nation. New episodes are released weekly, so you can follow along with the adventure.