The basic idea of national parks is to preserve parts of our national cultural heritage for future generations. According to Swedish law, the national parks are to be representative biotopes which are preserved in their natural state, but also beautiful unique environments which have experiences to offer. Another idea is also to give people the opportunity of getting into the forest and countryside.
Most national parks have hiking trails and some have information centres.
Some also have places where you can stay the night. The Environmental Protection Agency decides on the management of Sweden's national parks and suggests new parks. The decision to found a park is made by parliament. The first nine national parks in the country were founded in 1909, and were the first in Europe. Sarek and Padjelanta in Lapland are Sweden's two largest national parks with an area of 200,000 ha each.