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Mount Rainier above the forests of Washington

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US National Parks

America’s remarkable landscapes and shared stories — protected for the generations still to come.

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Mount Rainier photograph: Walter Siegmund (talk) · CC BY-SA 3.0

63

designated national parks

30

states with national parks

2

US territories with parks

9

parks in California

Why national parks are important

A national park is more than a beautiful stop on a road trip. It protects landscapes, wildlife and cultural resources that belong to a larger national story. The National Park Service’s mission combines conservation with public enjoyment, while leaving those resources unimpaired for future generations. NPS mission

Living landscapes

Parks conserve habitats and ecological processes, from Everglades wetlands and Biscayne reefs to Arctic tundra. Protection matters beyond a scenic viewpoint: wildlife needs habitat, water and room to move.

A record of the planet

Volcanic landscapes, caves, glaciers and fossil beds preserve evidence of how Earth changes. Parks support research, monitoring and learning in the places where those stories can be seen.

Culture, history and belonging

Mesa Verde’s ancestral places, American Samoa’s living cultural landscape and Gateway Arch’s historical setting show that parks are not only wilderness. Indigenous peoples’ connections to these lands extend long before park designation.

Places to experience and protect

Walking, paddling, learning and quiet observation connect people with the outdoors. Public access comes with responsibilities: protect wildlife, respect cultural places and leave natural objects where they belong.

What makes a place a national park?

The name is a legal designation, not a score for scenery. Congress establishes national parks through legislation. A president can proclaim national monuments on federally managed land under the Antiquities Act; that does not automatically make a monument a national park. Congress can later redesignate an area.

Potential additions are often studied for national significance, suitability, feasibility and whether direct NPS management is needed. These are evaluation criteria, not an automatic checklist that guarantees designation. Congress is not required to commission a study before passing a designation law.

Sources: Congressional Research Service: establishing units · NPS designation studies.

National park

Usually protects diverse natural features and broad scenic or scientific values. Local laws and regulations still determine visitor activities.

National monument

Protects significant natural, historic or scientific resources. Monuments can be established by Congress or presidential proclamation, and are not all managed by NPS.

National preserve

Can protect resources similar to a park while allowing uses, such as hunting, where its legislation permits them. A combined park-and-preserve title does not mean identical rules everywhere.

The 63 designated national parks are only part of the much larger National Park System, which also includes historic sites, battlefields, recreation areas and other designations. A state with zero national parks may still have NPS-managed places. Official system list · NPS designation guide

Wilderness protections and counts by state

How many national parks are in each state?

California leads with nine, Alaska has eight and Utah has five. Count a park in every state it occupies: Yellowstone appears in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho; Death Valley in California and Nevada; Great Smoky Mountains in Tennessee and North Carolina. These state counts therefore add to more than 63. Territories are listed separately below.

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Explore all 63 national parks

Open a Wild10 park or featured-region guide, then check the official park page for current conditions.

63 of 63 parks

Before you go

Check the exact rules

Entrance passes, timed entry, campsites, backcountry permits and guided tours are separate arrangements. Check the official park page; a pass does not replace a reservation.

Match the season to the landscape

Snow closes mountain roads; desert heat changes safe travel hours; boats and aircraft serve some remote parks. Monthly suggestions are not weather forecasts or promises of access.

Protect wildlife and cultural places

Follow posted viewing distances, food-storage rules and pet restrictions. Do not feed wildlife, disturb archaeological sites or take natural objects home.

Keep a realistic backup

Check alerts and conditions before leaving, and plan an alternative for weather or closures. Choose outings that fit your group, bring navigation and do not count on phone service.

NPS trip planning · NPS safety guidance. Inventory checked against the NPS designated-park list; October 19, 2026. State counts cover national parks, not every federal protected area.

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