US National Parks Map

This National Parks Map shows some of the best and most famous US national parks that are the epitome of wild expanses and colossal features. Here are a few of them:

1. 

   Yellowstone National Parks:

   The very first national park in the world, Yellowstone National Park was established in 1872 and is spread in three states, also shown on the National Parks Map: Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana.

   The protected area is one of the most visited natural attractions in the country and is most famous for Old Faithful, its well-known geyser, as well as many other geothermal features. The national parks offer a rich variety of wildlife, including grizzly bears and herds of bison.

   Of all the other national parks in America, Yellowstone is arguably the wildest and certainly the most universal in its appeal. The landscape located on the National Parks Map is a magical land of waterfalls, geysers, rainbows, and canyons.

   Checkout:Interesting Facts about Yellowstone National Park
2. 

   Glacier Bay National Parks:

   Located outside of Juneau in Alaska, also positioned on the National Parks Map, Glacier Bay is famous for its many glaciers. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, accessible only by ship or plane which helps preserve and protect this area. Glacier Bay preserve is home to wildlife including grizzly & black bears, moose, deer, and sea life like seals, sea lions, dolphins, whales, salmon, and more.
3. 

   Yosemite National Parks:

   Central California's Yosemite National Park covers parts of the Sierra Nevada Mountains and The Yosemite Valley. This resource sited in the National Parks Map is known for its waterfalls, Giant Sequoia redwood trees, wild mountain scenery, and variety of wildlife.
4. 

   Grand Canyon National Parks:

   One of the most visited natural attractions in the world, the Grand Canyon National Park is located in Arizona. The park offers spectacular views of the canyon landscapes pinned on the National Parks Map and the Colorado River that flows through the canyon.
5. 

   Redwood National and State Parks:

   The Redwood National and State Parks, a World Heritage Site, houses the tallest trees in the world. The national park boasts a rich legacy of natural as well as archeological heritage. It is home to some of the prominent historic buildings such as Huffman Ranch, Prairie Creek Fish Hatchery, etc.
6. 

   Channel Island National Park:

   Spanning over five of the California Channel Islands, the Channel Island National Park exemplifies biodiversity at its best. Whether you are a sports lover or a person with a fine aesthetic sense, the National Park has something to offer to everyone.

7. Denali National Parks:

   Denali National Park, located in the Alaska Range, includes North America's highest peak, Mount McKinley, and is home to bears, caribou, sheep, moose, and many types of birds.

8. Canyonlands National Park:

   Located in Utah at the confluence of the Colorado and Green Rivers. Canyonlands National Park offers some of the most breathtaking views of the outlying canyons and gorges. The national park is located in the western US and is separated into four major areas, namely the Island in the Sky, the Needles, the Maze, and the rivers.
9. 

   Arches National Parks:

   Also located in Utah, Arches National Park is named for the more than 2000 natural sandstone arches created by the process of natural erosion. The desert landscapes are home to wildlife such as bighorn sheep, mountain lions, reptiles like the Western rattlesnake, and plants like the prickly pear cactus are here in this natural beauty.

10. Everglades National Park:

    Located in the state of Florida, Everglades National Park consists of a unique tropical ecosystem of vast marshlands, lush with sawgrass and cypress trees. The park is also home to the paradise of many crocodiles, panthers, and over 300 species of birds.

11. Great Smoky Mountains National Park:

    The Great Smokies in Tennessee are the most visited nature conservation area of all the other ones in the US National Parks Map. With a stunning diversity of flora and fauna, it's a splendor of 521,454 acres with up to 800 miles of multipurpose trails. Visitors can indulge in recreational activities such as hiking, camping, fishing, horseback riding, and zorbing. Conquer the Appalachian Trail, take a walk along mist-shrouded mountains and hidden waterfalls, and discover rural countryside for the vestiges of Appalachian traditions dating back to simpler times.

12. Rocky Mountain National Park:

    Straddling the Continental Divide with 76 summits, the alpine beauty of Rocky Mountain National Park in Northern Colorado is rivaled by only a handful of destinations in the world. The scenic Trail Ridge Road and the Old Fall River Road cut through dense pine forests and 412 square miles of the park's area. The National Park is a premier destination for those who love outdoor thrills such as skiing, hiking, and rock climbing.

13. Zion National Park:

    Characterized by 15-mile-long Zion Canyon's steep red cliffs, this National Park in southwest Utah features the unique geography of the Great Basin, Colorado Plateau, and the Mojave Desert regions. Guided nature walks, horseback riding trips, and evening programs in summer are treats to visitors. Taylor Creek and Kolob Arch are popular hiking trails undulating through mountains, mesas, buttes, and natural arches available here.

14. Olympic National Park:

    A jewel in the Pacific Northwest's Crown on the American National Parks Map, the Olympic National Park is home to old-growth temperate rainforests, rugged Pacific beaches, and sub-alpine meadows. The Hurricane Ridge viewpoint allows breathtaking sights of snow-capped summits. With an elevation of 2,432 meters, Mount Olympus, which supports large glaciers, is the centerpiece of this national park.

15. Grand Teton National Park:

    Out west everything has its own wide space and Grand Teton in Wyoming is no exception. Located only 10 miles south of Yellowstone, Jackson Hole is a popular attraction in this national park. A popular destination for adventure recreation as per the National Parks Map, it accommodates 1,000 campsites and over 200 miles of hiking trails to get lost under the big blue American skies.

16. Acadia National Park:

    Established in 1916, this national park preserve area in Maine is famous for more than 120 miles of hiking trails, 50 miles of carriage roads, glacier-carved summits, pink granite cliffs, offshore rugged islands, inland lakes, and cobblestone beaches. Mount Desert Island comprises the lion's share of the total national park acreage. Despite its relatively small area, Acadia is the second most visited national park in the US states, of all the destinations on the National Parks Map. The Park Loop Road winds its way through a number of major attractions.

Vast Variety of National Parks in the United States

As the United States has a varied landscape, these national parks are vastly diverse in nature.

• These National Parks have immense importance in American culture and heritage. The country and its people take immense pride in both the beauty and variety of these national parks.
• The national parks are characterized by their diverse ecosystems, unique geological features, natural beauty, and recreational opportunities. The national monuments, on the other hand, have immense historical or archaeological significance.
• Largest:

  Wrangell–St. Elias in Alaska is the largest national park in the US in terms of area. It is spread across a total area of more than 8 million acres (or 32,375 sq km).

  Interestingly, Wrangell–St. Elias is larger than each of the 9 smallest states of the US. The next 3 largest national parks in the United States are also located in Alaska.

• Smallest:

  Gateway Arch National Park in Missouri is the smallest national park. Its total area is around 192.83 acres (0.7804 sq km).

• Protected Area:
  • The total protected area of the national parks in the US is around 2.2 million acres (211,000 sq km).
  • The average area protected by national parks is 829 thousand acres (3,350 sq km).
  • The median area protected is only 208 thousand acres (840 sq km).
• UNESCO World Heritage Sites & Biosphere Reserves:

  Out of the 62 national parks, 14 are named as UNESCO World Heritage Sites and 21 as UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. 8 Nationals parks (6 of them in Alaska) come under both UNESCO World Heritage Sites and UNESCO Biosphere Reserves.