The National Parks: America's Best Idea poster
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The National Parks: America's Best Idea

7.920091 seasonTV SeriesDocumentary

Filmed over the course of more than six years at some of nature's most spectacular locales – from Acadia to Yosemite, Yellowstone to the Grand Canyon, the Everglades of Florida to the Gates of the Arctic in Alaska - “The National Parks:…

DirectorKen Burns
WriterDayton Duncan
ProducersKen Burns·Julie A. Dunfey

Where to watch

PBS Documentaries Amazon ChannelPBS Documentaries Amazon ChannelThirteenThirteenWETA+WETA+KQEDKQED
Availability shown for United States · rights vary by country

Seasons & Episodes

E1
The Scripture of Nature (1851 – 1890)
Sep 27, 2009
E2
The Last Refuge (1890 – 1915)
Sep 28, 2009
E3
The Empire of Grandeur (1915 – 1919)
Sep 29, 2009
E4
Going Home (1920 – 1933)
Sep 30, 2009
E5
Great Nature (1933 – 1945)
Oct 1, 2009
E6
The Morning of Creation (1946 – 1980)
Oct 2, 2009

Cast · Directed by Ken Burns

AAAdam Arkin
Adam Arkin
PBPhilip Bosco
Philip Bosco
PCPeter Coyote
Peter Coyote
Narrator
AMAmy Madigan
Amy Madigan
THTom Hanks
Tom Hanks
MGMurphy Guyer
Murphy Guyer

More from Adam Arkin · Lead actor

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More from Philip Bosco · Co-star actor

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More from Ken Burns · Director

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More like this

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Our Great National Parks
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The National Parks: America's Best Idea — streaming FAQ

Which OTT platform streams The National Parks: America's Best Idea?

The National Parks: America's Best Idea is streaming on PBS Documentaries, Thirteen and WETA+ in United States, and available to rent or buy on Amazon Video and Apple TV Store. It's not currently on Netflix.

Is The National Parks: America's Best Idea on Netflix?

No, The National Parks: America's Best Idea is not on Netflix in United States as of September 2026. It's currently on PBS Documentaries and Thirteen.

Is The National Parks: America's Best Idea on Amazon Prime Video?

The National Parks: America's Best Idea isn't included with a Prime Video subscription in United States, but you can rent or buy it on Amazon Video.

Where can I watch The National Parks: America's Best Idea for free?

The National Parks: America's Best Idea is available to stream free (with ads) on KQED in United States.

How many seasons are in The National Parks: America's Best Idea?

The National Parks: America's Best Idea has 1 season in total (6 episodes). The series concluded in 2009.

Are all episodes of The National Parks: America's Best Idea out yet?

Yes — all 6 episodes across 1 season of The National Parks: America's Best Idea are out and available to stream.

Is there a Season 2 of The National Parks: America's Best Idea?

No — The National Parks: America's Best Idea ended after 1 season, so there is no Season 2.