US National Parks

In the words of John Muir, who is known today as the Father of the National Parks, “wildness is a necessity”. Thousands of vacationers and families visit national parks in the United States to get the good tidings of nature by hiking, backpacking, kayaking, and fishing.

The United States is known for the spectacular variety of its natural landscapes, also available in many valleys of the national parks. The captivating scenery and rugged charm of its many natural attractions are best witnessed in the 58 national parks and nature preserves that dot the country.

• There are currently 62 national parks in the US. They are visited by around 300 million visitors every year for enjoyment, education, and inspiration.
• The National Park Service (established by an act of the US Congress) operate these parks.
• The first National Park in the US and the world is Yellowstone, located in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. It was the first-ever natural area that was designated as a National Park by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872.

Many other natural areas from different US states have been added to the list of National parks since then.

What are National Parks in the US?

Not every natural place qualifies as a National Park. It must meet certain criteria such as:

1. The concerned area must have a unique natural, cultural, or recreational resource.
2. The place must need protection from the National Park Service.
3. The concerned natural place must be able to be protected.

How many National Parks are there in USA

There are 63 official national parks in the US spread across 30 states and 2 American territories (American Samoa and the U.S. Virgin Islands).

National Parks by State

California has the most number of National Parks in the USA. There are a total of nine national parks in California. Following, Alaska has the second most number of National Parks in the USA which is eight. Not all the states in the USA have National Park and those are Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Kansas, Lousiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island and Vermont.

Alaska National Parks

Alaska has the second most number of National Parks in the USA which is eight, as mentioned earlier. It has more national park land area than any other state in the US. Apart from eight national parks, there are also two national forests in Alaska, Tongass National Forest and the Chugach National Forest.

List of National Parks in Alaska

• Denali National Park
• Kenai Fjords National Park
• Katmai National Park
• Gates of the Arctic National Park
• Lake Clark National Park
• Wrangell St. Elias National Park
• Kobuk Valley National Park
• Glacier Bay National Park

American Samoa National Parks

There is only one national park in the American Samoa which is National Park of American Samoa. This national park in the United States territory of American Samoa is spread across three islands: Tutuila, Ofu, and Ta‘ū. It preserves tropical rainforests, coral reefs, wildlife (including fruit bats) and the 3,000 years old Samoan culture (the oldest culture in Polynesia).

Arizona National Parks

There are a total of three national parks and six national forests in the state of Arizona. The six national forests are Apache-Sitgreaves National Forest, Coconino National Forest, Coronado National Forest, Kaibab National Forest, Prescott National Forest and Tonto National Forest.

List of National Parks in Arizona

• Saguaro National Park
• Petrified Forest National Park
• Grand Canyon National Park

Arkansas National Parks

There is only one national park in Arkansas which is Hot Springs National Park. This national park is located in Hot Springs city of Arkansas and is a popular destination for travellers.

California National Parks

California has a total of nine national parks, the most in any state of USA.

• Channel Islands National Park
• Death Valley National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks
• Lassen Volcanic National Park
• Pinnacles National Park
• Redwood National Parks
• Yosemite National Park

Colorado National Parks

There are a total of four national parks in Colorado.

• Mesa Verde National Park
• Rocky Mountain National Park
• Great Sand Dunes National Park
• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Florida National Parks

There are a total of three national parks in the state of Florida.

• Everglades National Park
• Biscayne National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park

Hawaii National Parks

Haleakala National Park and Hawaii Volcanoes National Park are the national parks located in Hawaii. 

Idaho National Parks

There is only one national park in the state of Idaho which is Yellowstone National Park. This national park is spread across three states of USA – Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. Check these Montana National Parks Map and Wyoming National Parks Map for locating this national park in the state of Montana and Wyoming.

Indiana National Parks

Indiana has one national park and one national forest. The national park in Indiana is Indiana Dunes National Park and the national forest is Hoosier National Forest.

Kentucky National Parks

The national park in Kentucky is Mammoth Cave National Park. This national park is located in the west-central region of Kentucky, USA. The national park is has longest cave system in the world, the Mammoth Cave. This is a truly fantastic destination for you to visit throughout the year.

Maine National Parks

Acadia National Park is located in Maine. This national park is one of the US’s top 10 most-visited national parks. Around 3.5 million people visit this national park every year.

Michigan National Park

Isle Royale National Park is the only national park located in Michigan. This national park is spread across Isle Royale, the surrounding waters of Lake Superior, and over 400 small adjacent islands.

Minnesota National Parks

• Voyageurs National Park

Missouri National Parks

Gateway Arch National Park is the only national park in Missouri.

Montana National Parks

Glacier National Park is the only national park in Montana.

Nevada National Parks

Great Basin National Park is the only national park in Nevada. This national park offers you large landform diversity. You will get everything from Wheeler Peak’s 13,063 feet (3,981.6 m) high summit to the sage-covered foothills.

New Mexico National Parks

There are two national parks in the state of New Mexico.

• Carlsbad Caverns National Park
• White Sands National Park

North  Dakota National Parks

• Theodore Roosevelt National Park

North Carolina National Parks

There is only one national park in the state of North Carolina which is Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This national park is spread across in two states of the USA North Carolina and Tennessee. You can check this Tennessee National Parks Map to locate this national park on Tennessee Map.

Ohio National Parks

• Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Oregon National Parks

Crater Lake National Park is the only national park in Oregon. The national park is consists of the Caldera of Crater Lake, a remnant of Mount Mazama, a destroyed volcano, and surrounding forests and hills.

South Carolina National Parks

• Congaree National Park

South Dakota National Parks

There are two national parks in the state of South Dakota.

• Badlands National Park
• Wind Cave National Park

Texas National Parks

The two national parks of Texas are Guadalupe Mountains National Park and Big Bend National Park.

Utah National Parks

Utah has five national parks. It is also known as “the mighty 5”.

• Canyonlands National Park
• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Capitol Reef National Park
• Arches National Park
• Zion National Park

U.S Virgina Islands National Park

Virgin Islands National Park is the national park located on St. John, Virgin Islands.

Virginia National Parks

• Shenandoah National Park

Washington National Parks

There are a total of three national parks in the state of Washington,USA.

• Mount Rainier National Park
• North Cascades National Park
• Olympic National Park

West Virginia National Parks

• New River Gorge National Park

Wyoming National Parks

• Grand Teton National Park

States Without National Parks but National Sites

The following states has many national parks sites but the national park sites are not designated as National Parks congressionally.

• Alabama National Parks
• Georgia National Parks
• Kansas National Parks
• Lousiana National Parks
• Maryland National Parks
• Massachusetts National Parks
• Mississippi National Parks
• New Jersey National Parks
• New York National Parks
• Pennsylvania National Parks
• Vermont National Parks