America's National Parks
The United States is home to 63 magnificent National Parks, protected areas that showcase the diverse beauty, landscapes, and ecosystems of our nation.
These parks are managed by the National Park Service, an agency of the federal government established on August 25, 1916 when President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act creating the National Park Service.
Yellowstone National Park, located primarily in Wyoming but also extending into Montana and Idaho, was the first National Park, established on March 1, 1872.
Widespread poaching and environmental degradation at Yellowstone led Congress to pass the Yellowstone Park Protection Act, granting protection for the area and creating the precedent for setting aside other special places as National Parks.
Wrangell St. Elias National Park & Preserve is the largest National Park in the United States at over 13.2 million acres. The largest National Park in the contiguous United States is Death Valley National Park with just under 3.5 million acres.
Meanwhile, Gateway Arch National Park in Missouri is the smallest at 91 acres. From the highest peak of Denali in Alaska to the depths of Death Valley, America's National Parks protect our most iconic wild places.
The National Park System has grown tremendously over the past century to 433 diverse sites including national parks, monuments, battlefields, historic sites, seashores, recreation areas and more.
Through these protected lands and waters, the National Park Service's mission is "to conserve the scenery, natural and historic objects, and wildlife...and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations."
The National Parks preserve crucial habitat for wildlife, safeguard ecosystems, and provide opportunities for research and education. They are national treasures that showcase the stunning diversity of our country's natural landscapes, wildlife, and history.
From inspiring hikers on trails through alpine peaks to dazzling road-trippers with otherworldly geothermal features, our National Parks offer adventures for all.
The National Parks represent freedom, hope, and the pioneering spirit of America. Protecting these special places is an obligation we owe both to the integrity of the land itself and to future generations.
An Alphabetical List of All 63 National Parks
Star icon represents an International Dark Sky Park
ACADIA NATIONAL PARK
A breathtaking blend of rugged coastlines, granite peaks, and serene forests.
Location: Maine
Date Established: February 26, 1919
Area (2024): 49,071.40 acres
Visitors (2024): 3,961,661
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Park Guidebook | Map
ARCHES NATIONAL PARK
A remarkable desert landscape dotted with over 2,000 natural sandstone arches.
Location: Utah
Date Established: November 12, 1971
Area (2024): 76,678.98 acres
Visitors (2024): 1,466,528
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2019
Helpful Resources: Directions | Travel Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
BADLANDS NATIONAL PARK
An otherworldly terrain of rugged canyons, towering rock formations, and abundant fossil remains.
Location: South Dakota
Date Established: November 10, 1978
Area (2024): 242,755.94 acres
Visitors (2024): 1,094,245
Helpful Resources: Directions | Travel Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
BIG BEND NATIONAL PARK
A stunning desert wilderness with majestic mountains and incredible stargazing.
Location: Texas
Date Established: June 12, 1944
Area (2024): 801,163.21 acres
Visitors (2024): 561,458
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2012
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
BISCAYNE NATIONAL PARK
A coastal paradise teeming with vibrant coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, and diverse marine life.
Location: Florida
Date Established: June 28, 1980
Area (2024): 172,971.11 acres
Visitors (2024): 512,213
Helpful Resources: Directions | Paddling Guide | National Park Maps
BLACK CANYON OF THE GUNNISON
A breathtaking spectacle of sheer cliffs and deep, narrow gorges carved by the powerful Gunnison River.
Location: Colorado
Date Established: October 21, 1999
Area (2024): 30,779.83 acres
Visitors (2024): 335,862
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2015
Helpful Resources: Directions | Essential Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
BRYCE CANYON NATIONAL PARK
A wonderland of intricate rock formations known as hoodoos, creating a surreal and enchanting landscape.
Location: Utah
Date Established: February 25, 1928
Area (2024): 35,835.08 acres
Visitors (2024): 2,498,075
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2019
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
CANYONLANDS NATIONAL PARK
An expansive desert landscape, characterized by deep canyons, towering mesas, and breathtaking vistas.
Location: Utah
Date Established: September 12, 1964
Area (2024): 337,597.83 acres
Visitors (2024): 818,492
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2015
Helpful Resources: Directions | River Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
CAPITOL REEF NATIONAL PARK
A geological paradise of sandstone cliffs, dramatic rock formations, and remnants of ancient civilizations.
Location: Utah
Date Established: December 18, 1971
Area (2024): 241,904.50 acres
Visitors (2024): 1,422,490
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2015
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking & Touring Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK
An awe-inspiring underground world of stunning limestone caves and spectacular formations.
Location: New Mexico
Date Established: May 14, 1930
Area (2024): 46,766.45 acres
Visitors (2024): 460,474
Helpful Resources: Directions | Planning Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
CHANNEL ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
A remarkable island chain harboring unique plants and animals adapted to a rugged, isolated environment.
Location: California
Date Established: March 5, 1980
Area (2024): 249,561.00 acres
Visitors (2024): 262,581
Helpful Resources: Directions | Trails Illustrated Map | Waterproof Map
CONGAREE NATIONAL PARK
An otherworldly sanctuary of ancient floodplain forests and towering trees along the Congaree River.
Location: South Carolina
Date Established: November 10, 2003
Area (2024): 26,692.60 acres
Visitors (2024): 242,049
Helpful Resources: Directions | Park Guide | Park Map
CRATER LAKE NATIONAL PARK
The nation's deepest lake, renowned for its stunning blue water in a caldera formed by an ancient volcano.
Location: Oregon
Date Established: May 22, 1902
Area (2024): 183,224.05 acres
Visitors (2024): 504,942
Helpful Resources: Directions | Park Travel Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
CUYAHOGA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
A preservation of forests, wetlands and the Cuyahoga River, with trails along the historic Ohio & Erie Canal.
Location: Ohio
Date Established: October 11, 2000
Area (2024): 32,571.89 acres
Visitors (2024): 2,912,454
Helpful Resources: Directions | Trail Guide | Park Handbook
DEATH VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
An iconic desert landscape with the lowest elevation in North America and the hottest temperature on Earth.
Location: California
Date Established: October 31, 1994
Area (2024): 3,408,395.63 acres
Visitors (2024): 1,440,484
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2013
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
DENALI NATIONAL PARK
North America's highest peak and sweeping tundra roamed by grizzlies, wolves, and caribou.
Location: Alaska
Date Established: February 26, 1917
Area (2024): 4,740,911.16 acres
Visitors (2024): 466,227
Helpful Resources: Directions | Park Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
DRY TORTUGAS NATIONAL PARK
A cluster of islands known for their historic fort, diverse marine life, and vibrant coral reefs.
Location: Florida
Date Established: October 26, 1992
Area (2024): 64,701.22 acres
Visitors (2024): 84,873
Helpful Resources: Directions | Planning Guide | Map
EVERGLADES NATIONAL PARK
A sprawling subtropical wilderness of sawgrass marshes, mangrove forests, and diverse wildlife.
Location: Florida
Date Established: May 30, 1934
Area (2024): 1,508,938.57 acres
Visitors (2024): 741,983
Helpful Resources: Directions | Park Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
GATES OF THE ARCTIC NATIONAL PARK
An untouched expanse of northern wilderness featuring rugged mountains, rivers, and tundra.
Location: Alaska
Date Established: December 2, 1980
Area (2024): 7,523,897.45 acres
Visitors (2024): 11,907
Helpful Resources: Directions | Park Planner | Trails Illustrated Map
GATEWAY ARCH NATIONAL PARK
A prominent monument soaring above St. Louis, symbolizing westward expansion in U.S. history.
Location: Missouri
Date Established: February 22, 2018
Area (2024): 91 acres
Visitors (2024): 2,563,052
Helpful Resources: Directions | Park Planner | Map
GLACIER NATIONAL PARK
A breathtaking expanse of towering mountains, alpine meadows, and icy blue lakes in the northern Rockies.
Location: Montana
Date Established: May 11, 1910
Area (2024): 1,013,126.39 acres
Visitors (2024): 3,208,755
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2017
Helpful Resources: Directions | Travel Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
GLACIER BAY NATIONAL PARK
A pristine marine and coastal sanctuary known for its stunning fjords, tidewater glaciers, and marine life.
Location: Alaska
Date Established: December 2, 1980
Area (2024): 3,223,383.43 acres
Visitors (2024): 736,282
Helpful Resources: Directions | Pocket Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
GRAND CANYON NATIONAL PARK
An immense chasm carved by the Colorado River revealing layers of colorful rock formations.
Location: Arizona
Date Established: February 26, 1919
Area (2024): 1,201,647.03 acres
Visitors (2024): 4,919,163
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2016
Helpful Resources: Directions | Travel Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
GRAND TETON NATIONAL PARK
A stunning expanse of rugged peaks and pristine lakes nestled in the Rocky Mountains.
Location: Wyoming
Date Established: February 26, 1929
Area (2024): 310,044.36 acres
Visitors (2024): 3,628,222
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
GREAT BASIN NATIONAL PARK
A land of ancient trees, intricate caves, and a lofty mountain that overlooks the desert.
Location: Nevada
Date Established: October 27, 1986
Area (2024): 77,180.00 acres
Visitors (2024): 152,068
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2016
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
GREAT SAND DUNES NATIONAL PARK
An expanse of towering sand dunes formed by wind set against a backdrop of rugged mountains.
Location: Colorado
Date Established: September 24, 2004
Area (2024): 107,345.73 acres
Visitors (2024): 437,661
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2019
Helpful Resources: Directions | Essential Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
GREAT SMOKY MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
A misty mountain wilderness known for its dense forests and biodiversity.
Location: North Carolina and Tennessee
Date Established: June 15, 1934
Area (2024): 522,426.88 acres
Visitors (2024): 12,191,834
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
GUADALUPE MOUNTAINS NATIONAL PARK
Remote desert mountains with Texas' highest point tower over arid canyons protecting ancient fossil reefs.
Location: Texas
Date Established: September 30, 1972
Area (2024): 86,367.10 acres
Visitors (2024): 226,134
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
HALEAKALA NATIONAL PARK
Diverse landscapes within a massive Hawaiian volcano range from arid summits to lush rainforests on Maui.
Location: Hawaii
Date Established: July 1, 1961
Area (2024): 33,488.98 acres
Visitors (2024): 732,477
Helpful Resources: Directions | Guide Book | Trails Illustrated Map
HAWAI'I VOLCANOES NATIONAL PARK
Hawaii's volcanoes create a dynamic landscape of lava, craters, and rainforests, with ongoing volcanic activity.
Location: Hawaii
Date Established: August 1, 1916
Area (2024): 344,812.18 acres
Visitors (2024): 1,433,593
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
HOT SPRINGS NATIONAL PARK
Historic bathhouses surround the thermal springs that gives this Arkansas National Park its name and fame.
Location: Arkansas
Date Established: March 4, 1921
Area (2024): 5,554.15 acres
Visitors (2024): 2,461,812
Helpful Resources: Directions | Plan Your Visit | Map
INDIANA DUNES NATIONAL PARK
Dunes, wetlands, and oak savannas contrast with industry along Indiana's Lake Michigan shore.
Location: Indiana
Date Established: February 15, 2019
Area (2024): 15,349.08 acres
Visitors (2024): 2,705,209
Helpful Resources: Directions | Park Guide | Map
ISLE ROYALE NATIONAL PARK
An isolated Lake Superior island wilderness harbors moose and wolves with scenic coastal trails.
Location: Michigan
Date Established: April 3, 1940
Area (2024): 571,790.30 acres
Visitors (2024): 28,806
Helpful Resources: Directions | Foot Trails & Water Routes | Trails Illustrated Map
JOSHUA TREE NATIONAL PARK
Iconic desert yuccas dot a landscape transitioning from the Mojave to Colorado deserts in Southern California.
Location: California
Date Established: October 31, 1994
Area (2024): 795,155.85 acres
Visitors (2024): 2,991,874
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2017
Helpful Resources: Directions | Travel Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
KATMAI NATIONAL PARK
A remote Alaskan peninsula wilderness showcases bears, salmon runs, volcanoes, and glaciers.
Location: Alaska
Date Established: December 2, 1980
Area (2024): 3,674,529.33 acres
Visitors (2024): 36,230
Helpful Resources: Directions | Travel Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
KENAI FJORDS NATIONAL PARK
Glaciers, fjords, and abundant marine wildlife distinguish this Alaskan coastal park from all others.
Location: Alaska
Date Established: December 2, 1980
Area (2024): 669,650.05 acres
Visitors (2024): 419,468
Helpful Resources: Directions | Travel Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK
A deep glacial canyon and giant sequoia groves are protected in California's Sierra Nevada mountains.
Location: California
Date Established: March 4, 1940
Area (2024): 461,901.20 acres
Visitors (2024): 699,389
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
KOBUK VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
Wild Alaskan rivers and dunes within the arctic circle harbor caribou, wolves, and migrating birds.
Location: Alaska
Date Established: December 2, 1980
Area (2024): 1,750,716.16 acres
Visitors (2024): 17,233
Helpful Resources: Directions | Plan Your Visit | Map
LAKE CLARK NATIONAL PARK
A stunning Alaskan wilderness with volcanoes, glaciers, wild rivers, and abundant wildlife.
Location: Alaska
Date Established: December 2, 1980
Area (2024): 2,619,816.49 acres
Visitors (2024): 18,505
Helpful Resources: Directions | Plan Your Visit | Map
LASSEN VOLCANIC NATIONAL PARK
A geothermal wonderland with active fumaroles, boiling springs, and remarkable volcanic landscapes.
Location: California
Date Established: August 9, 1916
Area (2024): 106,589.02 acres
Visitors (2024): 357,651
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
MAMMOTH CAVE NATIONAL PARK
The world's longest cave system, featuring vast underground passageways and unique formations.
Location: Kentucky
Date Established: July 1, 1941
Area (2024): 72,472.87 acres
Visitors (2024): 747,042
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2021
Helpful Resources: Directions | Plan Your Visit | Trails Illustrated Map
MESA VERDE NATIONAL PARK
Ancient cliff dwellings and archaeological sites of the Ancestral Puebloans in Colorado.
Location: Colorado
Date Established: June 29, 1906
Area (2024): 52,485.17 acres
Visitors (2024): 480,065
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2021
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
MOUNT RAINIER NATIONAL PARK
A majestic volcano surrounded by wildflower meadows, ancient forests, and glaciers.
Location: Washington
Date Established: March 2, 1899
Area (2024): 236,381.64 acres
Visitors (2024): 1,620,006
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
NATIONAL PARK OF AMERICAN SAMOA
A tropical paradise with lush rainforests, pristine beaches, and vibrant Samoan culture.
Location: American Samoa
Date Established: October 31, 1988
Area (2024): 8,256.67 acres
Visitors (2024): 22,567
Helpful Resources: Directions | Complete Guide | Map
NEW RIVER GORGE NATIONAL PARK
A rugged landscape featuring a deep gorge, ancient forests, and premier whitewater rafting.
Location: West Virginia
Date Established: December 27, 2020
Area (2024): 7,021 acres
Visitors (2024): 1,811,937
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
NORTH CASCADES NATIONAL PARK
A pristine wilderness of jagged peaks, glaciers, and dense forests in Washington's rugged North Cascades.
Location: Washington
Date Established: October 2, 1968
Area (2024): 504,780.94 acres
Visitors (2024): 16,485
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
OLYMPIC NATIONAL PARK
A diverse Washington wilderness with coastline, rainforests, alpine peaks, and wild rivers.
Location: Washington
Date Established: June 29, 1938
Area (2024): 922,649.41 acres
Visitors (2024): 3,717,267
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
PETRIFIED FOREST NATIONAL PARK
A mesmerizing landscape of colorful petrified wood, ancient fossils, and expansive desert vistas in Arizona.
Location: Arizona
Date Established: December 9, 1962
Area (2024): 221,390.21 acres
Visitors (2024): 559,254
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2018
Helpful Resources: Directions | Plan Your Visit | Map
PINNACLES NATIONAL PARK
A striking landscape of towering rock formations, caves, and diverse wildlife habitats in California.
Location: California
Date Established: January 10, 2013
Area (2024): 26,685.73 acres
Visitors (2024): 354,076
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Map
REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK
A sanctuary of towering ancient redwoods, lush forests, and pristine coastal landscapes.
Location: California
Date Established: October 2, 1968
Area (2024): 138,999.37 acres
Visitors (2024): 622,883
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
ROCKY MOUNTAIN NATIONAL PARK
A breathtaking alpine wilderness with majestic peaks, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife.
Location: Colorado
Date Established: January 26, 1915
Area (2024): 265,847.74 acres
Visitors (2024): 4,154,349
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
SAGUARO NATIONAL PARK
A desert sanctuary where iconic saguaro cacti stand tall amidst rugged landscapes and vibrant sunsets.
Location: Arizona
Date Established: October 14, 1994
Area (2024): 92,876.75 acres
Visitors (2024): 946,369
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2023
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
SEQUOIA NATIONAL PARK
Majestic sequoia trees, granite peaks, and serene wilderness in California's Sierra Nevada.
Location: California
Date Established: September 25, 1890
Area (2024): 404,062.63 acres
Visitors (2024): 1,309,573
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
SHENANDOAH NATIONAL PARK
Rolling blue ridge mountains, lush forests and cascading waterfalls in Virginia's pristine wilderness.
Location: Virginia
Date Established: December 26, 1935
Area (2024): 200,445.92 acres
Visitors (2024): 1,720,211
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
THEODORE ROOSEVELT NATIONAL PARK
A rugged badlands landscape teeming with wildlife, steep canyons, and sweeping prairie vistas.
Location: North Dakota
Date Established: November 10, 1978
Area (2024): 70,446.89 acres
Visitors (2024): 732,951
Helpful Resources: Directions | Planning Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
VIRGIN ISLANDS NATIONAL PARK
A tropical paradise of coral reefs, pristine beaches, and lush rainforests in the U. S. Virgin Islands.
Location: U.S. Virgin Islands
Date Established: August 2, 1956
Area (2024): 15,052.33 acres
Visitors (2024): 423,029
Helpful Resources: Directions | Travel Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
VOYAGEURS NATIONAL PARK
A tranquil expanse of interconnected lakes, dense forests, and rugged islands in northern Minnesota.
Location: Minnesota
Date Established: April 8, 1975
Area (2024): 218,222.35 acres
Visitors (2024): 199,030
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2020
Helpful Resources: Directions | Paddle Routes | Trails Illustrated Map
WHITE SANDS NATIONAL PARK
An otherworldly landscape of gleaming white gypsum dunes, sculpted by wind and time, in New Mexico.
Location: New Mexico
Date Established: December 20, 2019
Area (2024): 146,344.31 acres
Visitors (2024): 702,236
Helpful Resources: Directions | Travel Guide | Map
WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK
A subterranean wonderland of intricate limestone formations and expansive prairie landscapes.
Location: South Dakota
Date Established: January 9, 1903
Area (2024): 33,970.84 acres
Visitors (2024): 489,399
Helpful Resources: Directions | Plan Your Visit | Map
WRANGELL-ST. ELIAS NATIONAL PARK
Alaska's vast wilderness of towering peaks, massive glaciers, and abundant wildlife.
Location: Alaska
Date Established: December 2, 1980
Area (2024): 8,323,146.48 acres
Visitors (2024): 81,670
Helpful Resources: Directions | Plan Your Visit | Trails Illustrated Map
YELLOWSTONE NATIONAL PARK
America's first national park, famed for geothermal features, diverse wildlife, and stunning landscapes.
Location: Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
Date Established: March 1, 1872
Area (2024): 2,219,790.71 acres
Visitors (2024): 4,744,353
Helpful Resources: Directions | Complete Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Renowned for its majestic granite cliffs, giant sequoias, breathtaking waterfalls, and diverse ecosystems.
Location: California
Date Established: October 1, 1890
Area (2024): 761,747.50 acres
Visitors (2024): 4,121,807
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
ZION NATIONAL PARK
Celebrated for its towering sandstone cliffs, narrow slot canyons, and vibrant desert landscapes.
Location: Utah
Date Established: November 19, 1919
Area (2024): 147,242.66 acres
Visitors (2024): 4,946,592
Designated as an International Dark Sky Park: 2021
Helpful Resources: Directions | Hiking Guide | Trails Illustrated Map
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