List of U.S National Monuments: Top 10 Monuments to visit

List of U.S. National Monuments: In United States, there are 133 special national monuments. They are built to protect important landmarks, historic sites, and natural wonders. National Monuments can be created by the president or by Congress. It is found in 32 states. They protect a variety of things, like ancient ruins, beautiful landscapes, and sites important to Native American history. Their purpose is to preserve our nation’s natural and cultural heritage.

Check the list of U.S. National Monuments in table below.

List of U.S. National Monuments

In the United States, there are 133 special areas called national monuments. The president can create a national monument with a special order and the United States Congress can also do it with a law.

Name	Location
Admiralty Island	Alaska
African Burial Ground	New York
Agate Fossil Beds	Nebraska
Agua Fria	Arizona
Aleutian Islands World War II	Alaska
Alibates Flint Quarries	Texas
Aniakchak	Alaska
Avi Kwa Ame	Nevada
Aztec Ruins	New Mexico
Baaj Nwaavjo I’tah Kukveni – Ancestral Footprints of the Grand Canyon	Arizona
Bandelier	New Mexico
Basin and Range	Nevada
Bears Ears	Utah
Belmont-Paul Women’s Equality	District of Columbia
Berryessa Snow Mountain	California
Birmingham Civil Rights	Alabama
Booker T. Washington	Virginia
Browns Canyon	Colorado
Buck Island Reef	US Virgin Islands
Cabrillo	California
California Coastal	Colorado
Camp Hale — Continental Divide	Kentucky
Camp Nelson	Arizona
Canyon de Chelly	Colorado
Canyons of the Ancients	Alaska
Cape Krusenstern	Alaska
Capulin Volcano	New Mexico
Carrizo Plain	California
Casa Grande Ruins	Arizona
Cascade–Siskiyou	Oregon, California
Castillo de San Marcos	Florida
Castle Clinton	New York
Castle Mountains	California
Castner Range	Texas
Cedar Breaks	Utah
César E. Chávez	California
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers	Ohio
Chimney Rock	Colorado
Chiricahua	Arizona
Colorado	Colorado
Craters of the Moon	Idaho
Devils Postpile	California
Devils Tower	Wyoming
Dinosaur	Colorado, Utah
Effigy Mounds	Iowa
El Malpais	New Mexico
El Morro	New Mexico
Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley	Illinois Mississippi
Florissant Fossil Beds	Colorado
Fort Frederica	Georgia
Fort Matanzas	Florida
Fort McHenry	Maryland
Fort Monroe	Virginia
Fort Ord	California
Fort Pulaski	Georgia
Fort Stanwix	New York
Fort Union	New Mexico
Fossil Butte	Wyoming
Freedom Riders	Alabama
George Washington Birthplace	Virginia
George Washington Carver	Missouri
Giant Sequoia	California
Gila Cliff Dwellings	New Mexico
Gold Butte	Nevada
Governors Island	New York
Grand Canyon–Parashant	Arizona
Grand Portage	Minnesota
Grand Staircase–Escalante	Utah
Hagerman Fossil Beds	Idaho
Hanford Reach	Washington
Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad	Maryland
Hohokam Pima	Arizona
Hovenweep	Colorado, Utah
Ironwood Forest	Arizona
Jewel Cave	South Dakota
John Day Fossil Beds	Oregon
Jurassic	Utah
Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks	New Mexico
Katahdin Woods and Waters	Maine
Lava Beds	California
Little Bighorn Battlefield	Montana
Marianas Trench Marine	Northern Mariana Islands, Guam
Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home	Mississippi
Military Working Dog Teams	Texas
Mill Springs Battlefield	Kentucky
Misty Fjords	Alaska
Mojave Trails	California
Montezuma Castle	Arizona
Mount St. Helens Volcanic	Washington
Muir Woods	California
Natural Bridges	Utah
Navajo	Arizona
Newberry Volcanic	Oregon
Northeast Canyons and Seamounts Marine	Atlantic Ocean
Oregon Caves	Oregon
Organ Mountains–Desert Peaks	New Mexico
Organ Pipe Cactus	Arizona
Pacific Remote Islands Marine	US Minor Outlying Islands south-southwest of Hawaii
Papahānaumokuākea Marine	Hawaii, U.S. Minor Outlying Islands
Petroglyph	New Mexico
Pipe Spring	Arizona
Pipestone	Minnesota
Pompeys Pillar	Montana
Poverty Point	Louisiana
Prehistoric Trackways	New Mexico
President Lincoln and Soldiers’ Home	District of Columbia
Rainbow Bridge	Utah
Río Grande del Norte	New Mexico
Rose Atoll Marine	American Samoa
Russell Cave	Alabama
Saint Francis Dam Disaster	California
Salinas Pueblo Missions	New Mexico
San Gabriel Mountains	California
San Juan Islands	Washington
Sand to Snow	California
Santa Rosa and San Jacinto Mountains	California
Scotts Bluff	Nebraska
Sonoran Desert	Arizona
Statue of Liberty	New York, New Jersey
Stonewall	New York
Sunset Crater Volcano	Arizona
Timpanogos Cave	Utah
Tonto	Arizona
Tule Lake	California
Tule Springs Fossil Beds	Nevada
Tuzigoot	Arizona
Upper Missouri River Breaks	Montana
Vermilion Cliffs	Arizona
Virgin Islands Coral Reef	US Virgin Islands
Waco Mammoth	Texas
Walnut Canyon	Arizona
Wupatki	Arizona
Yucca House	Colorado

10 Best National Monuments in US to Visit

1. Statue of Liberty National Monument

The Statue of Liberty National Monument is located on Liberty Island in New York Harbor. It is an iconic symbol of freedom and democracy gifted to the United States by France in 1886. The monument consists of the Statue of Liberty, a colossal copper statue designed by sculptor Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi, and its pedestal. Visitors can climb to the statue’s crown for panoramic views of the city skyline and the harbor. The Statue of Liberty National Monument is a must-visit destination for anyone interested in American history and culture.

Aspect	Details
Location	New York Harbor, United States
When was it built	Construction started in 1875
Construction Period	Completed in 1886
Who built it	Designed by Frédéric Auguste Bartholdi; built by Gustave Eiffel
Height	305 feet (93 meters) from ground to torch tip

2. Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument

The Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument is located in northwest Arizona and is connected to part of Grand Canyon National Park. It covers over 1 million acres of canyons, deserts, and wilderness, making it larger than the state of Rhode Island. However there are no paved roads within the monument.

Accessing the Grand Canyon-Parashant National Monument requires 4×4 vehicles, backcountry hikes, or horseback riding. Visitors can expect to enjoy breathtaking views of the Mojave desert, ponderosa pine forests, and stunning geological formations. It’s important to bring enough water and supplies for the journey, as amenities are limited.

To reach the monument, visitors can start in St. George, Utah, and obtain maps and tips from the Interagency Information Center.

Aspect	Details
Location	Northwest Arizona, United States
Establishment	Established by presidential proclamation in 2000
Who built it	García López de Cárdenas
Features	Diverse landscapes including desert, forests, and geological formations

3. Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument

Grand Staircase-Escalante National Monument is a vast area located in Southern Utah, covering 1.8 million acres of remote and untouched lands. It holds the distinction of being one of the last places in the contiguous United States to be mapped.

This monument includes three main geological landscapes: the Grand Staircase, a series of towering rock layers; the Kaiparowits Plateau, a sprawling plateau rising 4,000 feet high; and the Canyons of the Escalante, carved out by the Escalante River.

Visitors to the monument can explore a diverse range of natural wonders, including hoodoos, slot canyons, domes, natural arches, and bridges. Due to its vast size and numerous attractions, many visitors opt for guided hikes or off-road tours, although self-driving is also possible.

Accommodation options in the nearby village of Escalante cater to adventurers, offering opportunities for glamping or cabin rentals amidst the rugged beauty of the landscape.

Aspect	Details
Location	Southern Utah, United States
Establishment	Proclaimed by President Bill Clinton in 1996
Established	September 18, 1996
Area	Encompasses 1.9 million acres (7,570 km²)

4. Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Monument sits in southwestern Maryland and honors the life of Harriet Tubman, a brave abolitionist who helped many slaves find freedom. President Obama made it a national monument in 2013 and it later joined with the Blackwater National Wildlife Refuge to form the Harriet Tubman Underground National Historical Park.

Tubman grew up enslaved nearby and her childhood home is now a key site in the park. Visitors can explore exhibits about her life and the Underground Railroad, where she led many slaves to safety. There are also hiking trails and picnic spots to enjoy.

Though the monument is in a rural area, it is not far from places like Ocean City or Washington, DC. After a day of exploring, visitors can relax at nearby resorts like the Princess Royale Oceanfront Resort.

Aspect	Details
Location	Southwestern Maryland, USA
Establishment	2013 (by President Barack Obama)
Who built by	William Still
Purpose	Commemorates the life and legacy of Harriet Tubman and her contributions to the Underground Railroad

5. George Washington Birthplace National Monument

As its name suggests, this national monument is where America’s first president was born in Westmoreland County, Virginia, on February 22, 1732. The former colonel would become the first U.S. president and is arguably the most important founding father of the United States.

Washington’s father, Augustine Washington, was a successful tobacco plantation owner and George Washington inherited his wealth, 64 slaves and this Potomac River-front land after his father’s death. Seven generations of the family lived on the 551-acre estate. It is now home to the Washington Family Burial Ground and the Memorial House a charming brick house constructed in 1931.

The monument is just over 90 minutes south of Washington DC, making it an easy addition to a trip to the capital, where an endless amount of national history can be toured. Make it extra Washingtonian by staying at Hotel Washington!

Aspect	Details
Location	Southwestern Maryland, USA
Established	1930 (Designated by U.S. Congress)
Built By	U.S. National Park Service

6. Devils Tower National Monument

Devils Tower, the first U.S. national monument was declared so by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1906. It is situated in Crook County, Wyoming near the state’s northeastern corner and borders with Montana and South Dakota.

This natural wonder is an igneous rock butte, towering 1,267 feet (386 m) from its base to 5,112 feet (1,559 m) above sea level. Its width at the base spans 857 feet (261 m). Rising dramatically from the flat land around the Belle Fourche River, Devils Tower stands out as a massive and stunning column of rock.

Aspect	Details
Location	Crook County, Wyoming, USA
Built By	September 24, 1906 (Proclaimed by President Theodore Roosevelt)
Purpose	Preserves and protects Devils Tower, a unique geological formation and cultural landmark

7. Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home

The Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home is located in Jackson, Mississippi, USA, and holds significant historical importance as the former residence of civil rights activists Medgar Evers and his wife Myrlie Evers. Medgar Evers, an NAACP field secretary, was assassinated in the driveway of the home in 1963, highlighting the dangers faced by those fighting for racial equality during the Civil Rights Movement.

The home has been preserved as a museum and serves as a tribute to the Evers’ legacy and their contributions to the struggle for civil rights in America. Visitors can explore exhibits showcasing the Evers’ lives and their pivotal role in the fight against segregation and injustice.

Aspect	Details
Location	2332 Margaret Walker Alexander Drive, Jackson, Mississippi, USA
Established	Designated as a National Historic Landmark in 2016
Bult by	Constructed in 1956 by Medgar and Myrlie Evers

8. Giant Sequoia National Monument

The Giant Sequoia National Monument is located in the southern Sierra Nevada Mountains of California, USA. It covers an area of about 328,000 acres and is home to some of the largest trees in the world, the giant sequoias. These trees can reach heights of over 250 feet and have a diameter of up to 30 feet. The monument also contains diverse ecosystems, including meadows, rivers, and forests, which provide habitat for a variety of wildlife.

Visitors can explore the monument through hiking trails, scenic drives, and ranger-led programs, experiencing the beauty and grandeur of these ancient trees and their surroundings.

Aspect	Details
Location	Southern Sierra Nevada mountains, California, USA
Established	Designated as a national monument in April 2000
Purpose	Protects and preserves groves of giant sequoia trees, including some of the oldest and largest trees on Earth

9. Pipestone National Monument

Pipestone National Monument is situated in southwestern Minnesota, USA, near the town of Pipestone. It spans over 300 acres and is known for its culturally significant red pipestone quarries. Native American tribes, including the Dakota, Lakota, and other indigenous peoples, have quarried the soft red stone from this site for centuries to carve ceremonial pipes, also known as peace pipes.

The monument features walking trails that lead visitors through the quarries and showcase the natural beauty of the area including tallgrass prairies and wildlife habitats. The visitor center offers exhibits on the cultural and historical significance of the pipestone quarries providing insights into Native American traditions and craftsmanship.

Aspect	Details
Location	Pipestone County, Minnesota, USA
Established	Designated as a national monument in August 1937
Purpose	Protects the sacred quarries of red pipestone used by Native American tribes for traditional pipe making

10. Muir Woods National Monument

Muir Woods National Monument is located in Marin County, California, USA, just north of San Francisco. It is named after the renowned naturalist John Muir and is home to one of the last remaining old-growth coastal redwood forests in the world. The monument encompasses over 550 acres of land, with towering redwood trees that can reach heights of over 250 feet (76 meters) and are several hundred years old.

The monument also features a visitor center where guests can learn about the history and ecology of the redwood forest and participate in educational programs and guided walks led by park rangers. Muir Woods is a popular destination for nature lovers, hikers, and anyone seeking to reconnect with the natural world.

Aspect	Details
Location	Marin County, California, USA
Established	Designated as a national monument in January 1908
Purpose	Protects one of the last remaining old-growth coastal redwood forests in the San Francisco Bay Area

List of U.S National Monuments – FAQs

What is national monument?

A national monument is a protected area of land that is designated by the government to preserve significant natural, cultural, or historical resources.

How many national monuments are there in the United States?

There are currently over 133 national monuments across the United States.

Who has the authority to create national monuments?

National monuments can be established by the President of the United States through the use of the Antiquities Act of 1906.

What is the purpose of national monuments?

The primary purpose of national monuments is to protect and preserve areas of natural, cultural, or historical significance for the enjoyment of present and future generations.

What was the first US national monument?

Devils Tower was designated as America’s first national monument in 1906 by President Theodore Roosevelt.