The simple answer to the question “How many national parks are there?” is: But dig deeper into the numbers and you’ll find that there are dozens of spectacular national parks in the United States, from Alaska to Maine to Texas and many places in between.
National parks in the United States offer visitors a variety of activities, including hiking, wildlife viewing, fishing, camping, and beautiful scenery.
Overview of the US National Park System
Since 1916, the National Park Service (NPS) has been responsible for protecting and managing America’s national parks.
The National Park System includes: 425 national park sites Located in all U.S. states and the U.S. territories of Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, and Guam, it covers more than 84 million acres. These beautiful and historic places are visited by more than 318 million tourists annually.
while it’s still there 20 different NPS designations – Includes National Historic Sites, National Monuments, National Recreation Areas, National Lakeshores, National Battlefields, and National Seashores – Only 63 locations within this system are designated as National Parks.
Thirty states and two U.S. territories have at least one NPS site designated as a national park. Famous parks such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, Acadia, and Zion are internationally known for their beauty and importance.
The U.S. government selected these parks for a variety of reasons, including their importance and natural splendor.
History of US National Parks
The idea of national parks in the United States dates back to the early 1800s, when President Andrew Jackson signed a bill allowing Congress to preserve land around the area now known as Hot Springs, Arkansas.
Since then, many leaders and environmentalists have established and expanded the national park system, including John Muir, known as the father of national parks, and Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Theodore Roosevelt.
President Woodrow Wilson signed the law creating the National Park Service on August 25, 1916. Yellowstone National Park, the first national park in the United States, was created by legislation signed by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872.
By 1920, more than a dozen national parks had been established, including Acadia National Park, Mount Rainer National Park, and Yellowstone National Park.
According to the National Park Service, New additions to the national park system are usually made through acts of Congress, and national parks can only be created through such acts. However, the president can declare national monuments on federal land under his Antiquities Act of 1906.
Quick facts about US national parks
- There are 63 national parks in the United States, the newest of which is New River Gorge in West Virginia. It was re-designated as a national park in 2020.
- according to Data from the National Park ServiceMore than 15 billion people have visited U.S. national parks since 1904, and by 2022 there will be more than 300 million visitors.
- The oldest national park is Yellowstone National Park. Founded in 1872.
- The largest national park is Wrangell St. Elias in Alaska. The area is more than 8 million acres.
- The smallest national park is Gateway Arch National Park in Missouri, which is 192.83 acres.
- California has the most national parks (9), followed by Alaska (8) and Utah (5).
Most Visited US National Parks
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
Above 12 million visitors In 2022, Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most visited U.S. national park last year. As one of the most visited parks in the country, it promotes tourism in Sevier County, Tennessee.
Spanning the ridges of the Smoky Mountains, this park is home to some of the highest peaks in the eastern United States, including Mount LeConte and Clingman’s Dome. Spread over 500,000 acres, it is known for its high mountains, nature trails, waterfalls, forests, and spectacular fall foliage.
There’s so much to see, so make sure to visit (or two or three). Great Smoky Mountains National Park This is a must because visitors can find new discoveries every time.
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
President Teddy Roosevelt immediately fell in love with the Grand Canyon and designated it a national park in 1919.
Grand Canyon National Park, located in northwestern Arizona, encompasses more than 1.2 million acres, including the famous Grand Canyon, considered one of the natural wonders of the world.
Today, millions of tourists visit national parks to enjoy their stunning scenery and awe-inspiring vastness, but to fully appreciate their splendor, you have to experience them up close. is needed.
Visitors can experience the grandeur of the Grand Canyon in a variety of ways, including hiking and whitewater rafting. In addition, national parks are home to national monuments, museums, and other attractions that create unforgettable experiences.
Zion National Park, Utah
Zion National Park, located in southwestern Utah, is perhaps one of the most unique national parks in the United States. It is a national park with unique topography and a wide range of habitats that allow a variety of flora and fauna to live and thrive.
The national park’s fauna includes nearly 300 species of birds and dozens of mammals and reptiles in four habitats: desert, forest, and coniferous forest. The park’s natural layout includes rivers, natural arches, mountains, and canyons, including the prominent 25-mile-long Zion Canyon.
Zion National Park offers outdoor enthusiasts a little bit of everything: stunningly rugged natural landscapes, thriving flora and fauna, and stunning scenery.
America’s oldest national park
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Spanning parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, this first national park in the United States is also widely considered to be the world’s first national park.
In addition to being the namesake of the hit NBC show, Yellowstone is well known for its wildlife, including hundreds of species, and natural features, including the famous Old Faithful geyser.
The park spans more than 3,400 square miles, including canyons, mountain ranges, rivers, Yellowstone Lake (one of the highest lakes in the country), and Yellowstone Caldera (North America’s largest megavolcano) .
With so much space and so many amenities, it’s no wonder Yellowstone is a popular destination for fishing, boating, camping, and other outdoor activities.
Sequoia National Park, California
Spread over 400,000 acres, Sequoia National Park is best known for its natural features, including giant sequoia trees that grow hundreds of feet tall.
This park is home to the General Sherman Tree, the largest tree by volume on Earth. Surrounding Giants His Forest is home to five of the ten largest trees in the world.
Sequoia National Park is home to Mount Whitney, the highest mountain in the continental United States at over 14,000 feet above sea level.
The area was first settled by Native Americans and is perhaps one of the most scenic forests in the country, actively protected in conjunction with nearby Kings Canyon National Park.
Yosemite National Park, California
All of the United States’ national parks have a certain beauty and charm, but Yosemite has established itself as the most beautiful national park.
Almost 95% of the park is designated as a nature preserve, and Yosemite is known worldwide for its glaciers, cliffs, rock formations, waterfalls, and redwood forests.
When visitors aren’t catching a glimpse of elk or bison or hiking the park’s trails, they can stop and admire Yosemite Falls, one of the world’s largest waterfalls that continues to flow for more than six months each year. You can stare.
Yosemite’s scenery is breathtaking, and visitors may return again and again to marvel at the park’s sheer majesty.
Other unique national parks in the United States
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Michigan’s only national parkThe archipelago in the middle of Lake Superior offers visitors unparalleled solitude and an abundance of activities.
Once on the ferry to Isle Royale, visitors can get lost in the park’s unique natural setting. There are more than 240 miles of hiking trails in loops that lead hikers to caves, mountain peaks, and lighthouses.
Visitors can also explore the park by the water in canoes and kayaks, take in the beautiful scenery, observe wildlife, and even cast a fishing line. Those looking for a rustic camping experience can camp in the park, wake up to a spectacular sunrise, and enjoy the beauty of nature.
Acadia National Park, Maine
More than 4,000 islands hang from Maine’s vast coastline. acadia national parkMaine’s only national park, stands out as the crown jewel of the North Atlantic Coast.
The name Acadia means “Heaven on Earth,” and Acadia’s beauty has captivated explorers and settlers for hundreds of years.
Visitors to the park can choose from recreational options such as scenic drives, mountaintop hikes with breathtaking views, coastal trails near the ocean, camping, and fishing.
The park is home to three lighthouses, including Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, famous for its red light, Baker Island Lighthouse, and Bear Island Lighthouse.
Alaska Arctic National Park Gate
Gates of the Arctic Circle is the country’s northernmost national park, located north of the Arctic Circle (as the name suggests), and is the second largest national park in the country.
With no roads, trails, or campsites (visitors must fly or hike into the park), Arctic Gate is an unspoiled wilderness. Still, the lack of a set route makes it perfect for outdoorsmen and park enthusiasts who want to explore Alaska’s rugged wilderness at their own pace.
Arctic Gate is one of the least visited national parks in the country due to its remote location. But it offers unparalleled experiences, including opportunities to view wildlife, climb, hike, and enjoy the solace of the outdoors.
Visit a US National Park Now
Now, the question is, “How many national parks are there?” Once you have the answer, the next thing to do is to make a plan to visit the place. Drive, book a flight, or hop on a bus to visit one of over 50 national parks.
With indescribable natural beauty, an abundance of activities, and the chance to see some of the country’s most famous sites, national parks are easy to add to your bucket list.
Visitors of all ages can find great things to do in national parks that will help them create fun and lasting memories.
