Currently, there are 63 national parks in America, spread across the entire country. Thirty states have one or more national parks, from Maine to Minnesota, from Alaska to Hawaii, and from California to Florida.
Additionally, there is also a national park in two U.S. territories: the Virgin Islands and American Samoa both have their own national park.
The entire National Park Service (NPS) system encompasses more than 420 units with no fewer than 19 different designations.
Those include national battlefields, national monuments, national historic sites, national lakeshores and the major national parks. You can see the full list of U.S. National Park Service units here.
Explore The National Parks With Us
Here at The National Parks Experience, we’re on a quest to visit all national parks in the United States, and as many other NPS units as we can.
Below is an overview of all the individual national parks currently covered on this website. This list is updated on a regular basis as we visit more parks and publish additional parks-related content.
Acadia National Park
Maine
The oldest national park on the East Coast, Acadia National Park is home to wild coastlines, mountains, lakes, wildlife, and many miles of hiking trails and historic carriage roads.
Arches National Park
Utah
Home to the world’s largest concentration of natural rock arches, Arches National Park is a geological wonderland and offers great hiking, rock climbing and camping.
BADLANDS National Park
South Dakota
Situated in southwestern South Dakota, Badlands National Park encompasses an extraordinarily wild landscape of buttes, razor-edged ridges and colorful eroded hills, as well as sprawling mixed-grass prairie.
Biscayne National Park
Florida
One of America’s largest marine preserves, Biscayne National Park is 95% water. Besides a few small islands and mangrove swamps, its main attractions are underwater, including coral reefs, shipwrecks and abundant marine life.
Bryce Canyon National Park
Utah
Located in southwestern Utah, Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its thousands of hoodoos—striking red-rock spires and pillars. A network of trails offers excellent hiking and horseback riding.
Canyonlands National Park
Utah
Encompassing four different “districts”, Canyonlands National Park is a vast wilderness of canyons, cliffs, mesas and amazing rock formations. The park is also known for its breathtaking night skies.
Capitol Reef National Park
Utah
The middle of Utah’s five national parks, Capitol Reef National Park features Native American and Mormon sites, spectacular rock formations and a 100-mile geological “wrinkle” known as the Waterpocket Fold.
Channel Islands National Park
California
Also known as the “Galapagos of North America”, California’s Channel Islands are a biodiversity hotspot, home to seals, whales, sharks, dolphins and unique land animals.
Crater Lake National Park
Oregon
Oregon’s only national park, Crater Lake National Park protects the deepest, clearest and bluest lake in America, created after the eruption and collapse of Mount Mazama thousands of years ago.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
Ohio
Set between Cleveland and Akron, Cuyahoga Valley National Park is a verdant oasis surrounded by urban development. The park has historic farms, waterfalls and wildlife, a covered bridge and a scenic railroad.
Death Valley National Park
California
Home to the lowest point in North America, Death Valley National Park is also the continent’s hottest and driest place. Visitors can enjoy camping, stargazing and hiking in diverse landscapes such as badlands, sand dunes and salt flats.
Dry Tortugas National Park
Florida
One of the remotest U.S. national parks, Dry Tortugas National Park is 70 miles west of Key West and is only accessible by seaplane or boat. It encompasses mesmerizing coral reefs, magnificent beaches and massive Fort Jefferson.
Everglades National Park
Florida
Also known as the “river of grass”, Everglades National Park is a vast expanse of marshes, swamps and islands at the southern tip of Florida. It is famous around the world for its wildlife, including alligators, crocodiles, manatees and countless birds.
Glacier National Park
Montana
You can’t describe Glacier National Park without using words like ‘spectacular’ and ‘awe-inspiring’. Home to the magnificent Going-to-the-Sun Road, Glacier also features spectacular trails, turquoise lakes and excellent wildlife viewing.
Grand Canyon National Park
Arizona
One of America’s most famous national parks, spectacular Grand Canyon National Park offers world-class hiking, horseback riding, whitewater rafting and stargazing opportunities.
Grand Teton National Park
Wyoming
Grand Teton National Park encompasses both the Jackson Hole valley and the majestic Teton Range. A series of pristine glacial lakes runs along the foot of the mountains, while the valley is dotted with historic ranches, homesteads and overlooks.
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Colorado
Home to mountains, prairie, creeks and North America’s biggest sand dunes, Great Sand Dunes National Park is an outdoor playground for kids and adults alike, offering everything from camping and stargazing to hiking and sand boarding.
Haleakalā National Park
Hawaii
Encompassing much of the east side of Maui, Haleakalā National Park protects high-elevation volcanic landscapes, as well as tropical rain forests, waterfalls, coastline and native Hawaiian fauna and flora.
Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park
Hawaii
Encompassing two of the largest and most active volcanoes on Earth, Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park on the Big Island offers world-class hiking, bird watching, scenic drives and lava viewing.
Hot Springs National Park
Arkansas
The oldest federally protected park in the United States, Hot Springs National Park has dozens of natural hot springs and preserves the beautiful historic Gilded Age-era bathing houses on Bathhouse Row.
Indiana Dunes National Park
Indiana
Protecting a series of extraordinary sand dunes, beaches, oak forests and wetlands, Indiana Dunes National Park is natural oasis on the urbanized and industrialized south shore of Lake Michigan.
Joshua Tree National Park
California
The meeting point of the Mojave and Colorado Deserts, Joshua Tree National Park comprises diverse landscapes, home to abundant wildlife and offering a wide range of outdoor recreation opportunities.
Lassen Volcanic National Park
California
Home to all four volcano types in the world, Lassen Volcanic National Park is a wilderness wonderland of volcanoes, boiling mud pots, fumaroles, forests, waterfalls and pristine lakes.
Mammoth Cave National Park
Kentucky
Boasting over 400 miles of explored passageways and subterranean halls, Mammoth Cave is the longest known cave system on Earth and one of America’s oldest tourist attractions.
Mesa Verde National Park
Colorado
Created mainly to protect the area’s Native American heritage, Mesa Verde National Park features almost 5,000 archaeological sites, including no fewer than 600 cliff dwellings such as the famous Balcony House and Cliff Palace.
Mount Rainier National Park
Washington
Centered on majestic Mount Rainier, this is one of the most popular and oldest national parks in America. Attractions include thundering waterfalls, summer wildflowers, fall foliage, abundant wildlife and massive glaciers.
North Cascades National Park
Washington
At North Cascades National Park, visitors can explore unspoiled mountain wilderness areas, see glaciers and wildlife, go kayaking on turquoise lakes, and truly get away from the stress of the urban world.
Olympic National Park
Washington
Sometimes called “three parks in one”, spectacular Olympic National Park has three distinct regions—the Olympic Mountains, pristine temperate rain forests, and dozens of miles of wilderness coastline.
Petrified Forest National Park
Arizona
Characterized by its colorful petrified wood deposits, Petrified Forest National Park is also home to the breathtaking Painted Desert and Native American sites. It is the only U.S. national park that’s crossed by Route 66.
Pinnacles National Park
California
Preserving an ancient volcanic landscape, Pinnacles National Park offers great hiking, camping and rock climbing. It’s also home to lots of wildlife, most notably California condors.
Redwood National Park
California
You can walk among some of the world’s tallest and oldest trees at the Redwood National and State Parks complex, which also features sand beaches and coastal cliffs, prairies and rivers.
Saguaro National Park
Arizona
Created primarily to protect a single plant species, Saguaro National Park is home to huge forests of tree-like saguaro cacti, America’s tallest and most iconic cactus species.
Shenandoah National Park
Virginia
In Shenandoah National Park, 105-mile-long Skyline Drive winds its way past 70+ overlooks, dozens of trailheads, campgrounds and two historic mountain lodges. Wildlife abounds in the park, including deer, black bears and raccoons.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
North Dakota
The only national park named after an American president, Theodore Roosevelt National Park is home to bison and prairie dogs, badlands and rivers, and historic sites like Roosevelt’s own Maltese Cross Cabin.
Virgin Islands National Park
U.S. Virgin Islands
One of the most paradisiacal national parks, Virgin Islands National Park is home to fascinating historic sugar plantation ruins, as well as forested hills, stunning turquoise beaches, and vibrant coral reefs.
Wind Cave National Park
South Dakota
Located in the Black Hills of South Dakota, Wind Cave National Park preserves one of the world’s largest and most remarkable caves, as well as intact mixed-grass prairie, Native American heritage and abundant wildlife.
Yellowstone National Park
Wyoming, Montana & Idaho
The world’s oldest national park, Yellowstone National Park is home to over 10,000 hydrothermal features, from geysers to hot springs. The park is also a refuge for lots of megafauna, including bison, grizzly bears, moose, bighorn sheep, elk and wolves.
Zion National Park
Utah
One of the most visited U.S. national parks, Zion National Park is filled with natural highlights, from Angels Landing and The Narrows to Weeping Rock and the scenic Virgin River. Popular activities include camping, hiking and sightseeing.
Frequently Asked Questions About the National Parks
Who Manages America’s National Parks?
The national parks are managed by the National Park Service (NPS), which also oversees numerous national monuments, historic sites, memorials, historical parks, lakeshores and seashores.
The National Park Service itself is a bureau of the Department of the Interior (DOI).
Charles F. “Chuck” Sams is the current NPS Director, the first Native American Director of the National Park Service.
On the ground, each park has its own superintendent, as well as park rangers who manage practical things like wildlife, visitors, traffic and a variety of park resources.
What Is a National Park?
The National Park Service defines “national parks” as follows: “Generally, a national park contains a variety of resources and encompasses large land or water areas to help provide adequate protection of the resources.”
Generally speaking, national parks protect and preserve landscapes, ecosystems, plants and/or wildlife.
With very few exceptions, they’re created to protect and preserve one or more natural features, rather than cultural, architectural, archaeological or historical resources.
How Old Is America’s National Park System?
Officially, the National Park System dates from August 25, 1916, which is the day President Woodrow Wilson created the National Park Service.
However, many national parks were designated years, if not decades, before that.
The first national park in the United States (and the world) was Yellowstone National Park, established on March 1, 1872, by President Ulysses S. Grant.
No fewer than ten other national parks were also established before the NPS was created.
Those are, in this order, Sequoia (1890), Yosemite (1890), Mount Rainier (1899), Crater Lake (1902), Wind Cave (1903), Mesa Verde (1906), Glacier (1910), Rocky Mountain (1915), Hawaiʻi Volcanoes (1916) and Lassen Volcanic (1916).
How Many National Parks Are There?
Currently, there are 63 national parks in the United States.
You can see a full list and map of the national parks here.
How Many National Park Service Sites Are There?
National parks are just one of many designations in the National Park System. In total, there are 425 National Park Service units.
These various units, ranging from monuments and memorials to battlefields and historic sites, are often referred to simply as “parks.”
You can see the complete list of NPS units here.
What Does the National Park Service Logo Mean?
The logo of the National Park Service represents the different aspects of America’s National Park System.
For example, the bison symbolizes all wildlife in the parks, while the sequoia tree and grassland represent vegetation. The mountains stand for natural scenery and the lake represents water (quality).
The logo’s very shape also has significant meaning. Its stone arrowhead shape represents America’s rich history, archaeology and culture.
You can read more about the history and meaning of the NPS Arrowhead logo here.
How Many People Visit America’s National Parks Every Year?
In 2022, the total number of recreation visitors in the entire National Park System was 311,985,998. The NPS website has much more information about visitation across the parks.
What Is the Most Visited National Park?
The most visited national park is Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee, which welcomed 12.9 million visitors in 2022.
On the other hand, the most visited NPS unit is the Blue Ridge Parkway with 15.7 million visitors in 2022.
What Is the Least Visited National Park?
The least visited national park is the National Park of American Samoa. Only 1,887 people journeyed there in 2022.
The least visited NPS unit, on the other hand, is Rainbow Bridge National Monument in Utah. It was visited by a meager 81 people in 2022.
You can see a complete overview of National Park Service units and their most recent visitation statistics here.
What Is the Largest National Park?
The largest national park in America is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in southeastern Alaska.
Encompassing 13.2 million acres (20,625 square miles), this enormous park is bigger than Denali, Death Valley, Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, Glacier, Yosemite and Great Smoky Mountains combined.
You can see the full list of all national parks ranked by size here.
FIND THE ANSWERS TO MORE FREQUENTLY ASKED NATIONAL PARK QUESTIONS HERE
U.S. National Parks Map
Click/tap on this map of the national parks to enlarge it.
When the U.S. Congress created the first national park in the United States in 1872, which was Yellowstone National Park, a brand new concept of conservation areas was born.
These U.S. national parks were the very first public parks in the world that both protected a valuable landscape, habitat or ecosystem and allowed people to enjoy nature to its fullest.
Designed to protect and preserve a certain area’s wildlife, ecosystems and landscapes, as well as historic sites, national parks also give visitors the opportunity to get to know and explore that particular area up close.
All the national parks in America are open to the public. Although a couple of them are quite a challenge to get to, most are within half a day’s drive from a major city.
This includes the most iconic parks of all, such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion and Mount Rainier. They offer a plethora of outdoor activities to enjoy, including hiking, camping, wildlife watching and rock climbing.
Some parks, especially Mesa Verde, Gateway Arch and Hot Springs, also (primarily) protect valuable archaeological, cultural and historical sites.
Recommended National Park Books
(The links to these national park books are affiliated links. This means we earn a small commission if you purchase something after clicking on the link, without any extra costs to you.)
Travel Guides and Reference
- USA National Parks: Complete Guide to All National Parks – Moon / Becky Lomax
- The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West – Fodor’s Travel Guides
- Atlas of the National Parks – National Geographic / Jon Waterman
- USA National Parks: Lands of Wonder – DK Eyewitness
- The National Parks: America’s Best Idea – Dayton Duncan & Ken Burns
- Complete Guide to the National Park Lodges – David Scott
National Park Memoirs
- That Wild Country: An Epic Journey Through the Past, Present and Future of America’s Public Lands – Mark Kenyon
- Ranger Confidential: Living, Working and Dying in the National Parks – Andrea Lankford
- Lassoing the Sun: A Year in America’s National Parks – Mark Woods
- Bear in the Back Seat: Adventures of a Wildlife Ranger in Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Kim DeLozier & Carolyn Jourdan
- The Hour of Land: A Personal Topography of America’s National Parks – Terry Tempest Williams
- Open Road: A Midlife Memoir of Travel and the National Parks – TW Neal
- Deep Into Yellowstone: A Year’s Immersion in Grandeur & Controversy – Rick Lamplugh
- Yellowstone Ranger: Stories From a Life Spent With Bears, Backcountry, Horses and Mules, From Yosemite to Yellowstone – Jerry Mernin
U.S. National Parks List
This U.S. national parks list includes all 63 national parks in America.
It provides a clear overview of each park and its location, annual visitors, size, the year it was established, and whether or not it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Data used in this U.S. national parks list was sourced from the National Park Service website and Wikipedia.