List of National Parks in the United States 2024

List of U.S. National Parks: There are almost 63 sites, that are designated as the “National Park” like Acadia and Yellowstone. The National Park Service (NPS) was created in 1916 by Theodore Roosevelt, Woodrow Wilson, Stephen Mather, and Horace M. Albright. But NPS oversees more than just these famous parks. It is part of the Department of the Interior and is based in Washington, DC.

In this article, we are going to discuss the National Parks of the U.S. in detail.

List of U.S. National Parks

There are 63 national parks in the United States. Some national parks are not national parks anymore. Of these parks, there are Fourteen as such which are designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, 21 are UNESCO Biosphere Reserves, and, 8 parks fall under both programs.

Here is the detailed list of them as mentioned below with their details:

List of Major U.S. National Parks
National Park Name	Location	Date Of Establishment	Area (2023)	Major Facts
Acadia	Maine	February 26, 1919	49,071.40 acres	Acadia National Park is on an island and nearby coastal islands. It has the tallest mountain on the East Coast by the ocean. Acadia has rocky mountains, ocean views, forests, and lakes. There are different kinds of habitats like rivers, coastal areas, forests, and areas between high and low tides.
American Samoa	American Samoa	October 31, 1988	8,256.67 acres	The national park in the far south is located on three Samoan islands in the South Pacific. It protects coral reefs, lush forests, volcanic mountains, and sandy beaches. The area is also home to flying foxes, seabirds, sea turtles, and 900 types of fish.
Arches	Utah	November 12, 1971	76,678.98 acres	The park has over 2,000 natural rock arches, like Delicate Arch and Landscape Arch. These arches were formed by millions of years of erosion in a dry desert. The desert ground has special crusts and potholes that collect water for life. Other rock formations in the park include pinnacles, fins, and balancing rocks.
Badlands	South Dakota	November 10, 1978	242,755.94 acres	The Badlands is a mix of rocky formations, grasslands, and the White River area in South Dakota. It is home to many fossils from a long time ago. Animals you can find there include bison, bighorn sheep, black-footed ferrets, and prairie dogs.
Big Bend	Texas	June 12, 1944	801,163.21 acres	This park is called after a big bend in the Rio Grande river at the border of the U.S. and Mexico. It includes a vast and isolated area of the Chihuahuan Desert. The main draw is outdoor activities in the dry Chisos Mountains and river canyons. There are lots of ancient fossils from the Cretaceous and Tertiary periods, plus items from Native American cultures found in the park.
Biscayne	Florida	June 28, 1980	172,971.11 acres	Located in the central part of Biscayne Bay. Mostly underwater park at the north end of the Florida Keys. Contains four connected marine ecosystems: mangrove forest, the Bay, the Keys, and coral reefs. Endangered animals include the West Indian manatee, American crocodile, different sea turtles, and the peregrine falcon.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison	Colorado	October 21, 1999	30,779.83 acres	The park guards a quarter of the Gunnison River, which cuts through steep canyon walls made of ancient rock. These cliffs are among the steepest and oldest in North America. It is a favorite spot for river rafting and rock climbing. The deep canyon is made of gneiss and schist, which looks black in the shade.
Bryce Canyon	Utah	February 25, 1928	35,835.08 acres	Bryce Canyon is a natural theater made of rocks in southern Utah. It has many tall, colorful rock formations called hoodoos, formed by erosion. Native Americans lived here first, followed by Mormon settlers.
Canyonlands	Utah	September 12, 1964	337,597.83 acres	The land here got shaped into a maze of canyons, flat-topped hills, and table-top mountains by rivers and streams. Three main rivers, the Colorado River, Green River, and smaller streams, split the park into three areas. You’ll find lots of tall, pointed rocks and natural arches here. Plus, there are old things left behind by people who lived here a long time ago, called Ancient Pueblo peoples.
Capitol Reef	Utah	December 18, 1971	241,904.50 acres	The park has a big ridge called Waterpocket Fold that stretches 100 miles (160 km) and shows different layers of the earth’s rocks. It also has tall, single rocks, worn-down hills called buttes, and round hills made of sandstone. One of these hills looks like the United States Capitol.
Carlsbad Caverns	New Mexico	May 14, 1930	46,766.45 acres	Carlsbad Caverns has 117 holes in the ground. The biggest one is more than 120 miles long. The Big Room inside the caves is almost 4,000 feet long. Inside the caves live more than 400,000 Mexican free-tailed bats and sixteen other kinds of animals. On the surface, you’ll find the Chihuahuan Desert and Rattlesnake Springs.
Channel Islands	California	March 5, 1980	249,561.00 acres	Five of the eight Channel Islands are protected, with half of the park’s area underwater. The islands have a unique Mediterranean ecosystem originally settled by the Chumash people.
Congaree	South Carolina	November 10, 2003	26,692.60 acres	This park is the largest portion of old-growth floodplain forest left in North America. Some of the trees are the tallest in the eastern United States.
Crater Lake	Oregon	May 22, 1902	183,224.05 acres	Crater Lake lies in the caldera of an ancient volcano called Mount Mazama that collapsed 7,700 years ago. The lake is the deepest in the United States and is noted for its vivid blue color and water clarity.
Cuyahoga Valley	Ohio	October 11, 2000	32,571.89 acres	This park along the Cuyahoga River has waterfalls, hills, trails, and exhibits on early rural living.
Death Valley	California, Nevada	October 31, 1994	3,408,395.63 acres	Death Valley is the hottest, lowest, and driest place in the United States, with daytime temperatures that have exceeded 130 °F (54 °C).
Denali	Alaska	February 26, 1917	4,740,911.16 acres	Centered on Denali, the tallest and most prominent mountain in North America. The park is serviced by a single road leading to Wonder Lake, most of which can only be accessed via scheduled tour buses.
Dry Tortugas	Florida	October 26, 1992	64,701.22 acres	The islands of the Dry Tortugas, at the westernmost end of the Florida Keys. The site of Fort Jefferson, a Civil War-era fort that is the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere.
Everglades	Florida	May 30, 1934	1,508,938.57 acres	The Everglades are the largest tropical wilderness in the United States. This mangrove and tropical rainforest ecosystem and marine estuary is home to 36 protected species.
Gates of the Arctic	Alaska	December 2, 1980	7,523,897.45 acres	The country’s northernmost park protects an expanse of pure wilderness in Alaska’s Brooks Range and has no park facilities.
Gateway Arch	Missouri	February 22, 2018	192.83 acres	The Gateway Arch is a 630-foot (192 m) (both high and wide) catenary arch built in the 1960s to commemorate the Lewis and Clark Expedition.
Glacier	Montana	May 11, 1910	1,013,126.39 acres	The U.S. half of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park, this park includes 26 rapidly receding glaciers and 130 named lakes surrounded by Rocky Mountain peaks.
Glacier Bay	Alaska	December 2, 1980	3,223,383.43 acres	Glacier Bay contains tidewater glaciers, mountains, fjords, and a temperate rainforest. It is home to large populations of grizzly bears, mountain goats, whales, seals, and eagles.
Grand Canyon	Arizona	February 26, 1919	1,201,647.03 acres	The Grand Canyon, carved by the mighty Colorado River, is 277 miles (446 km) long, up to 1 mile (1.6 km) deep, and up to 15 miles (24 km) wide.
Grand Teton	Wyoming	February 26, 1929	310,044.36 acres	Grand Teton is the tallest mountain in the scenic Teton Range. It provides a diverse range of habitats for a variety of wildlife.
Haleakalā	Hawaii	August 1, 1916	33,265.62 acres	Haleakalā, “House of the Sun,” in Hawaiian, is a massive shield volcano that forms more than 75% of the Hawaiian Island of Maui. The park preserves the outstanding features of Haleakalā Crater.
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes	Hawaii	August 1, 1916	323,431.38 acres	This park encompasses two active volcanoes: Kīlauea, one of the world’s most active volcanoes. Mauna Loa, the world’s most massive shield volcano.
Hot Springs	Arkansas	March 4, 1921	5,549.75 acres	Hot Springs National Park is centered around the natural hot springs that have been used for millennia for their supposed healing properties. The park features bathhouses, gardens, and scenic drives.
Indiana Dunes	Indiana	February 15, 2019	15,349.08 acres	Indiana Dunes National Park consists of the eastern edge of Lake Michigan and a diversity of habitats, including dunes, wetlands, prairies, and forests.
Joshua Tree	California	October 31, 1994	790,635.74 acres	Joshua Tree National Park is known for its unique rock formations and its namesake Joshua trees. It lies at the convergence of the Mojave and Colorado deserts.
Katmai	Alaska	December 2, 1980	3,674,529.33 acres	Katmai National Park and Preserve is famous for its volcanoes, especially Novarupta, site of the largest volcanic eruption of the 20th century. The park is home to thousands of brown bears.
Kenai Fjords	Alaska	December 2, 1980	669,984.38 acres	Kenai Fjords National Park is known for its stunning fjords, icebergs, and glaciers, including the Harding Icefield, which feeds numerous glaciers that flow into the fjords.
Kings Canyon	California	March 4, 1940	461,901.20 acres	Kings Canyon is known for its giant sequoia trees, including the General Grant Grove. The Redwood Mountain Grove, both of which are home to some of the world’s largest trees.
Lake Clark	Alaska	December 2, 1980	4,030,015.00 acres	Lake Clark National Park and Preserve is known for its dramatic landscapes, including volcanoes, glaciers, wild rivers, and a rugged coastline along the Cook Inlet.
Mammoth Cave	Kentucky	July 1, 1941	54,011.91 acres	Mammoth Cave National Park contains the world’s longest known cave system, with over 400 miles (640 km) of explored passageways.
North Cascades	Washington	October 2, 1968	504,780.94 acres	North Cascades National Park is characterized by rugged mountain peaks, deep valleys, and dense forests, including the lush Hoh Rainforest.
Olympic	Washington	June 29, 1938	922,649.41 acres	Olympic National Park protects a diverse wilderness, including glacier-capped mountains, old-growth temperate rainforests, and over 70 miles of wild coastline.
Petrified Forest	Arizona	December 9, 1962	221,390.21 acres	Petrified Forest National Park is known for its large deposits of petrified wood and the multicolored badlands of the Chinle Formation.
Redwood	California	October 2, 1968	138,999.37 acres	Redwood National Park preserves groves of massive, ancient coast redwoods, the tallest trees in the world.
Saguaro	Arizona	October 14, 1994	76,015.81 acres	Saguaro National Park protects the iconic saguaro cactus, a symbol of the American Southwest, as well as other desert flora and fauna.
Theodore Roosevelt	North Dakota	November 10, 1978	70,446.89 acres	Theodore Roosevelt National Park preserves the rugged badlands of North Dakota, where Theodore Roosevelt became connected to the landscape and his conservationist views were shaped.
Voyageurs	Minnesota	January 8, 1971	218,200.17 acres	Voyageurs National Park is characterized by its interconnected waterways, including four large lakes, and its boreal forest ecosystem.
Wind Cave	South Dakota	January 9, 1903	33,970.84 acres	Wind Cave National Park contains one of the world’s longest and most complex caves, with 150 miles (241 km) of explored passages. Above ground, the park features mixed-grass prairie and ponderosa pine forest.
Yellowstone	Wyoming, Montana, Idaho	March 1, 1872	2,219,790.71 acres	Yellowstone was the first national park in the world and is known for its geothermal features, including Old Faithful geyser, and its diverse wildlife, such as grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and elk.
Zion	Utah	November 19, 1919	147,242.66 acres	Zion National Park is characterized by its dramatic canyons, towering cliffs, and unique rock formations carved by the Virgin River.

National Parks by State or Territory in the U.S.

There are 30 states in the USA and 2 territories. Here is the counting table of the National Parks of the USA as mentioned below:

National Parks By State or Territory In U.S.
State	Total parks	Exclusive parks	Shared parks
California	9	8	1
Alaska	8	8	—
Utah	5	5	—
Colorado	4	4	—
Arizona	3	3	—
Florida	3	3	—
Washington	3	3	—
Hawaii	2	2	—
New Mexico	2	2	—
South Dakota	2	2	—
Texas	2	2	—
Montana	2	1	1
Nevada	2	1	1
Wyoming	2	1	1
American Samoa	1	1	—
Arkansas	1	1	—
Indiana	1	1	—
Kentucky	1	1	—
Maine	1	1	—
Michigan	1	1	—
Minnesota	1	1	—
Missouri	1	1	—
North Dakota	1	1	—
Ohio	1	1	—
Oregon	1	1	—
South Carolina	1	1	—
U.S. Virgin Islands	1	1	—
Virginia	1	1	—
West Virginia	1	1	—
Idaho	1	—	1
North Carolina	1	—	1
Tennessee	1	—	1

Largest National Park in The U.S.

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve is the largest national park in the U.S., stretching from sea level to over 18,000 feet. It covers 13.2 million acres, equal to the size of Yellowstone, Yosemite, and Switzerland combined. Situated in Alaska, it is one of seven massive parks in the state. Despite its vastness, people have lived off its land for centuries, making it a haven for adventure seekers amidst its rugged beauty.

Smallest National Park in The U.S.

Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis, Missouri, is the smallest national park in the U.S. It covers about 192.83 acres, roughly equivalent to 0.7804 square kilometers. Formerly known as the Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, the park commemorates the historic starting point of the Lewis and Clark Expedition into the Louisiana Territory.

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FAQs on List of U.S. National Parks

How many national parks are in USA?

There are 63 sites that include “National Park” as part of their proper name such as Acadia, Everglades, Grand Canyon, and Yellowstone. Though world-renowned for their grandeur and beauty, our national treasures encompass far more than these 63 sites.

What is the No 1 national park in USA?

The most parks popular are nearly all household names like Grand Canyon, Joshua Tree and America’s first national Park, Yellowstone, but there are two that may surprise casual fans. Cuyahoga Valley and Indiana Dunes both saw more visitors last year than places like Arches and Everglades, which didn’t make the top 15.

How many US national parks are there 2024?

The National Park Service manages over 400 sites, including national parks, monuments, seashores, battlefields, recreation areas, historic sites, and more. Technically, all of these areas are “national parks” because they are managed by the National Park Service.

What is the largest US national park?

The uncontested heavyweight champion of the National Park System is Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park & Preserve. At 13.2 million acres, it’s larger than Yellowstone National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Switzerland combined.

What is America’s smallest national park?

The smallest park is Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri, at 192.83 acres (0.7804 km2). The total area protected by national parks is approximately 52.4 million acres, for an average of 833 thousand acres (3,370 km2) but a median of only 220 thousand acres.