About the U.S. National Parks
The National Park Service, an agency of the United States Department of the Interior, operates 59 protected areas comprising nearly 52 million acres of land known as National Parks.
The Organic Act of 1916 created the National Park Service. Its purpose is “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife, and to provide for the enjoyment and to leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.”
Criteria for Selection
The criteria for the selection of a national park include the following:
- The overall natural beauty of the area
- The unique geological features of the area
- The existence of unusual ecosystems within the area
- Recreational opportunities
All of these criteria are considered in the selection process, but those chosen do not necessarily need all these characteristics to qualify.
The U.S. Congress is responsible for designating protected areas as National Parks. However, the former President, Donald Trump, signed an executive order to remove some previously protected areas. The Biden administration is expected to restore the protections.
List of National Parks in the United States
There are a total of 59 national parks in 27 states. Yellow Stone was the first area to be officially designated as such.
Of course, some of the parks span multiple states, such as Yellowstone (which spans portions of three states, including Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming). Also, the Great Smoky Mountains span through portions of both North Carolina and Tennessee).
California has the most of any state. Yet, the Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee tend to draw the most visitors each year.
Following is a list that is broken down by state:
Alaska
- Denali
- Gates of the Arctic
- Glacier Bay
- Katmai
- Kenai Fjords
- Kobuk Valley
- Lake Clark
- Wrangell-St. Elias
Arizona
- Grand Canyon
- Petrified Forest
- Saguaro
Arkansas
- Hot Springs
California
- Channel Islands
- Death Valley (part is located in Nevada)
- Joshua Tree
- Kings Canyon
- Lassen Volcanic
- Redwood
- Sequoia
- Yosemite
Colorado
- Black Canyon of the Gunnison
- Great Sand Dunes
- Mesa Verde
- Rocky Mountain
Florida
- Biscayne
- Dry Tortugas
- Everglades
Hawaii
- Haleakala
- Hawaii Volcanoes
Idaho
- Yellowstone (spans portions of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana)
Kentucky
- Mammoth Cave
Maine
- Acadia National – Established in 1919
Michigan
- Isle Royale
Minnesota
- Voyageurs
Montana
- Glacier
- Yellowstone National Park (spans portions of Idaho, Wyoming and Montana)
Nevada
- Death Valley (also located in California)
- Great Basin
New Mexico
- Carlsbad Caverns
North Carolina
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park (spans portions of Tennessee and North Carolina)
North Dakota
- Theodore Roosevelt
Ohio
- Cuyahoga Valley
Oregon
- Crater Lake
Tennessee
- Great Smoky Mountains (spans portions of Tennessee and North Carolina)
Virginia
- Shenandoah
South Carolina
- Congaree
South Dakota
- Badlands
- Wind Cave
Texas
- Big Bend
- Guadalupe Mountains
Utah
- Arches – Established in 1971
- Bryce Canyon
- Canyonland
- Capitol Reef
- Zion
Washington
- Mount Rainier
- North Cascades
- Olympic
Wyoming
- Grand Teton
- Yellowstone National Park (spans portions of Idaho, Wyoming, and Montana)
US Territories
- American Samoa (located in American Samoa Territory)
- Virgin Islands (located in the US Virgin Islands)
More Information
If you would like to learn more, please visit Wikipedia. And, if you like lists, view our Lists of Lists category.
Questions and Comments
If you have any questions or comments about this list of National Parks, please post a message below.
