What began as a weeklong celebration in 1998 under President Clinton has now evolved into the month-long observance known as Great Outdoors Month. In 2019, the U.S. Senate officially designated June as Great Outdoors Month, aligning with National Trails Day, which occurs annually during the first week of June.
President Biden's proclamation for Great Outdoors Month emphasizes the significance of America's natural landscapes, underscores the commitment to equitable access to these spaces, and highlights the imperative of addressing climate change.
For more information about Great Outdoors Month, visit the official website for the Great Outdoors Proclamation of 2022.
Additionally, the National Park Service, a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior, plays a vital role in managing and preserving our national parks. Explore further insights into Great Outdoors Month from the National Park Service.
State Proclamations
Since 2008, governors from across the country, including South Carolina, have joined in designating June as a month to celebrate the great outdoors.
*State Proclamation map courtesy of the National, Park Service
On the Shelves
On the shelves of our Federal Documents Depository, you'll find a wealth of resources about various national parks, including:
- Cape Hatteras National Seashore in North Carolina, offering opportunities to enjoy wildlife, plants, beaches, and the iconic Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.
- Cape Lookout National Seashore, also in North Carolina, providing experiences such as horse watching, bird watching, fishing, and camping.
- Cumberland Island National Seashore in Georgia, boasting over 9,800 acres of wilderness to explore.
- Biscayne National Park in Florida, known for its breathtaking scenery, boating opportunities, and the Biscayne Maritime Heritage Trail.
- Canaveral National Seashore, another Florida gem serving as a sanctuary to thousands of plants and animals.
- Assateague Island National Seashore, spanning from Maryland to Virginia and offering diverse landscapes including beaches, forests, and coastal bays.
