Kevin Costner’s new documentary series “Yellowstone to Yosemite,” now streaming on Fox Nation, delves into the captivating history of America’s national parks. Investigates the history of Yosemite and Yellowstone National Parks. Follows Theodore Roosevelt’s 1903 trip with John Muir that led to park protection. Aims to unite Americans around preservation and heritage.
A Look Back in Time
The documentary “Yellowstone to Yosemite with Kevin Costner” builds off Costner’s previous work, “Yellowstone: One Fifty,” and brings audiences back to the roots of the United States’ National Parks. With a detailed recount of the pivotal 1903 camping trip by President Theodore Roosevelt and naturalist John Muir in Yosemite, the series sheds light on the early days before the formation of the national park system.
Roosevelt’s meeting with Muir was instrumental in bringing federal protection to what are today cherished national treasures. The series reveals that during that time, loggers and poachers were exploiting these lands, highlighting how Roosevelt’s intervention was needed. The narrative walks through historic moments and the brimming determination of the leaders who spearheaded safeguarding America’s public lands.
Great interview with Kevin Costner.
The National Parks are an American Treasure and should be on everyone’s “bucket list”.
Corny to stay, but The Badlands, Tetons and Yellowstone were just spiritually altering visits. pic.twitter.com/mTtfWx8oNr— ¯_(ツ)_/¯ CB 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 (@cerebralblonde) February 18, 2025
Telling Untold Stories
Perhaps one of the most moving threads in the series is its attention to Native American history and the lands that were part of their heritage long before park boundaries were drawn. Costner advocates for telling the full story, emphasizing the critical role played by Native Americans in shaping these places. He articulates the story’s depth by asserting, “While we all enjoy the Yellowstone national parks, very rarely do we understand how they came to be.”
“Congress saw the national parks as a zero-cost initiative. Each park has an unpaid superintendent responsible for enforcing regulations. It’s not working at all.” – Kevin Costner
Such historical context provides the audience with a more profound connection to the land, awakening the realization that conservation touches upon both cultural and environmental spheres. “The notion of heroism when no one’s looking,” Costner calls attention to acts of courage and integrity that often go unrecognized.
Preservation Beyond the Political Divide
Costner’s series also assesses the impacts of corporate interests on conservation efforts while fervently advocating for environmental stewardship as a fundamentally patriotic endeavor. Underscoring these efforts is Roosevelt’s creation of over 150 National Forests and 5 National Parks, securing 230 million acres of land for the nation. The show aims to educate viewers on these significant achievements without political bias, focusing instead on the shared national identity forged through such endeavors.
As the series progresses, audiences are treated to stunning visuals of Yosemite’s majestic geology and natural sights. Sites such as Glacier Point, El Capitan, and Yosemite Falls provide a majestic backdrop to Costner’s narration, inviting viewers to reflect more deeply on the interconnected legacies of mankind and nature. The show endeavors to inspire an enduring commitment to protecting these landscapes for future generations.
Sources:
- Kevin Costner Wants Americans to Care About the National Parks
- Kevin Costner Explores Yellowstone to Yosemite in New Docuseries Trailer
