Religion and spirituality in national and state parks refer to the historical and cultural connections that many national and state parks have to religious and spiritual practices. The National Park Service (NPS) and state park agencies have a mission to preserve, protect, and interpret these cultural resources.
Many national and state parks have connections to religious and spiritual practices, including historical sites, cultural landscapes, and archeological sites that are associated with different religions and spiritual traditions. For example, many national parks in the American Southwest have connections to the spiritual practices of the Puebloan, Hopi and Zuni peoples, which include traditional rituals, ceremonies and sacred sites. Additionally, many national parks have sites that are associated with Christianity, such as chapels and mission sites.
The NPS and state park agencies have a responsibility to protect and preserve these cultural resources, and to provide opportunities for visitors to learn about and experience religion and spirituality. This can include ranger-led tours, educational programs, and interpretive exhibits. The NPS and state park agencies also work to ensure that the perspectives of all religious and spiritual groups are included in the interpretation of these resources.
Overall, religion and spirituality play an important role in the cultural fabric of many national and state parks, and the NPS and state park agencies have a mission to preserve, protect, and interpret these resources. They provide visitors with an opportunity to learn about and experience the religious and spiritual practices of various cultures and how they have shaped the history and culture of the United States. Additionally, they work to ensure that the perspectives of all religious and spiritual groups are included in the interpretation of these resources.