List of National parks of the United States - wikipedia List of National parks of the United States 1938 poster for Yellowstone National Park Symbolic representation of visitors at each national park The United States has 59 protected areas known as national parks that are operated by the National Park Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior. National parks must be established by an act of the United States Congress. A bill creating the first national park, Yellowstone, was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872, followed by Mackinac National Park in 1875 ( decommissioned in 1895 ), and then Rock Creek Park ( later merged into National Capital Parks ), Sequoia and Yosemite in 1890. The Organic Act of 1916 created the National Park Service `` to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and wildlife therein, 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. '' Many current national parks had been previously protected as National Monuments by the President under the Antiquities Act before being upgraded by Congress. Seven national parks ( including six in Alaska ) are paired with a National Preserve, areas with different levels of protection that are administered together but considered separate units and whose areas are not included in the figures below. Criteria for the selection of national parks include natural beauty, unique geological features, unusual ecosystems, and recreational opportunities ( though these criteria are not always considered together ). National Monuments, on the other hand, are frequently chosen for their historical or archaeological significance. Fourteen national parks are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites ( WHS ), and twenty one are designated UNESCO Biosphere Reserves ( BR ). Twenty - seven states have national parks, as do the territories of American Samoa and the United States Virgin Islands. California has the most ( nine ), followed by Alaska ( eight ), Utah ( five ), and Colorado ( four ). The largest national park is Wrangell -- St. Elias in Alaska : at over 8 million acres ( 32,375 km ), it is larger than each of the nine smallest states. The next three largest parks are also in Alaska. The smallest park is Hot Springs, Arkansas, at less than 6 thousand acres ( 24 km ). The total area protected by national parks is approximately 52.2 million acres ( 211,000 km ), for an average of 885 thousand acres ( 3,580 km ) but a median of only 236 thousand acres ( 960 km ) at Mount Rainier, the 30th largest park. The most - visited national park is Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee, with over 11.3 million visitors in 2016, followed by Arizona 's Grand Canyon, with nearly 6 million. In contrast, only 10,047 people visited the remote Gates of the Arctic in Alaska in the same year. A few former national parks are no longer designated as such, or have been disbanded. Other units of the National Park Service ( 417 altogether ) are broadly referred to as national parks ; they are listed here. Contents 1 National parks 2 See also 3 References 4 External links National parks Indicates that the national park is a World Heritage Site ( a * symbol also appears after the park 's name ). Name Photo Location Date established as park Area ( 2016 ) Recreation visitors ( 2016 ) Description Acadia Maine 44 ° 21 ′ N 68 ° 13 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 44.35 ° N 68.21 ° W ﻿ / 44.35 ; - 68.21 ﻿ ( Acadia ) 000000001919 - 02 - 26 - 0000 February 26, 1919 7008198528092381988 ♠ 49,057.36 acres ( 198.5 km ) 3,303,393 Covering most of Mount Desert Island and other coastal islands, Acadia features the tallest mountain on the Atlantic coast of the United States, granite peaks, ocean shoreline, woodlands, and lakes. There are freshwater, estuary, forest, and intertidal habitats. American Samoa American Samoa 14 ° 15 ′ S 170 ° 41 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 14.25 ° S 170.68 ° W ﻿ / - 14.25 ; - 170.68 ﻿ ( National Park of American Samoa ) 000000001988 - 10 - 31 - 0000 October 31, 1988 7007334135580171374 ♠ 8,256.67 acres ( 33.4 km ) 28,892 The southernmost national park is on three Samoan islands and protects coral reefs, rainforests, volcanic mountains, and white beaches. The area is also home to flying foxes, brown boobies, sea turtles, and 900 species of fish. Arches Utah 38 ° 41 ′ N 109 ° 34 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 38.68 ° N 109.57 ° W ﻿ / 38.68 ; - 109.57 ﻿ ( Arches ) 000000001971 - 11 - 12 - 0000 November 12, 1971 7008310308822676081 ♠ 76,678.98 acres ( 310.3 km ) 1,585,718 This site features more than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, with some of the most popular arches in the park being Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch and Double Arch. Millions of years of erosion have created these structures located in a desert climate where the arid ground has life - sustaining biological soil crusts and potholes that serve as natural water - collecting basins. Other geologic formations include stone pinnacles, fins, and balancing rocks. Badlands South Dakota 43 ° 45 ′ N 102 ° 30 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 43.75 ° N 102.50 ° W ﻿ / 43.75 ; - 102.50 ﻿ ( Badlands ) 000000001978 - 11 - 10 - 0000 November 10, 1978 7008982398434864749 ♠ 242,755.94 acres ( 982.4 km ) 996,263 The Badlands are a collection of buttes, pinnacles, spires, and mixed - grass prairies. The White River Badlands contain the largest assemblage of known late Eocene and Oligocene mammal fossils. The wildlife includes bison, bighorn sheep, black - footed ferrets, and prairie dogs. Big Bend Texas 29 ° 15 ′ N 103 ° 15 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 29.25 ° N 103.25 ° W ﻿ / 29.25 ; - 103.25 ﻿ ( Big Bend ) 000000001944 - 06 - 12 - 0000 June 12, 1944 7009324219248177910 ♠ 801,163.21 acres ( 3,242.2 km ) 388,290 Named for the prominent bend in the Rio Grande along the U.S. -- Mexico border, this park encompasses a large and remote part of the Chihuahuan Desert. Its main attraction is backcountry recreation in the arid Chisos Mountains and in canyons along the river. A wide variety of Cretaceous and Tertiary fossils as well as cultural artifacts of Native Americans also exist within its borders. ( BR ) Biscayne Florida 25 ° 39 ′ N 80 ° 05 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 25.65 ° N 80.08 ° W ﻿ / 25.65 ; - 80.08 ﻿ ( Biscayne ) 000000001980 - 06 - 28 - 0000 June 28, 1980 7008699989247393156 ♠ 172,971.11 acres ( 700.0 km ) 514,709 Located in Biscayne Bay, this park at the north end of the Florida Keys has four interrelated marine ecosystems : mangrove forest, the Bay, the Keys, and coral reefs. Threatened animals include the West Indian manatee, American crocodile, various sea turtles, and peregrine falcon. Black Canyon of the Gunnison Colorado 38 ° 34 ′ N 107 ° 43 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 38.57 ° N 107.72 ° W ﻿ / 38.57 ; - 107.72 ﻿ ( Black Canyon of the Gunnison ) 000000001999 - 10 - 21 - 0000 October 21, 1999 7008124439823274694 ♠ 30,749.75 acres ( 124.4 km ) 238,018 The park protects a quarter of the Gunnison River, which slices sheer canyon walls from dark Precambrian - era rock. The canyon features some of the steepest cliffs and oldest rock in North America, and is a popular site for river rafting and rock climbing. The deep, narrow canyon is composed of gneiss and schist which appears black when in shadow. Bryce Canyon Utah 37 ° 34 ′ N 112 ° 11 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 37.57 ° N 112.18 ° W ﻿ / 37.57 ; - 112.18 ﻿ ( Bryce Canyon ) 000000001928 - 02 - 25 - 0000 February 25, 1928 7008145019423645217 ♠ 35,835.08 acres ( 145.0 km ) 2,365,110 Bryce Canyon is a geological amphitheater on the Paunsaugunt Plateau with hundreds of tall, multicolored sandstone hoodoos formed by erosion. The region was originally settled by Native Americans and later by Mormon pioneers. Canyonlands Utah 38 ° 12 ′ N 109 ° 56 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 38.2 ° N 109.93 ° W ﻿ / 38.2 ; - 109.93 ﻿ ( Canyonlands ) 000000001964 - 09 - 12 - 0000 September 12, 1964 7009136620994652380 ♠ 337,597.83 acres ( 1,366.2 km ) 776,218 This landscape was eroded into a maze of canyons, buttes, and mesas by the combined efforts of the Colorado River, Green River, and their tributaries, which divide the park into three districts. The park also contains rock pinnacles and arches, as well as artifacts from Ancient Pueblo peoples. Capitol Reef Utah 38 ° 12 ′ N 111 ° 10 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 38.20 ° N 111.17 ° W ﻿ / 38.20 ; - 111.17 ﻿ ( Capitol Reef ) 000000001971 - 12 - 18 - 0000 December 18, 1971 7008978951808186919 ♠ 241,904.26 acres ( 979.0 km ) 1,064,904 The park 's Waterpocket Fold is a 100 - mile ( 160 km ) monocline that exhibits the earth 's diverse geologic layers. Other natural features include monoliths, cliffs, and sandstone domes shaped like the United States Capitol. Carlsbad Caverns * New Mexico 32 ° 10 ′ N 104 ° 26 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 32.17 ° N 104.44 ° W ﻿ / 32.17 ; - 104.44 ﻿ ( Carlsbad Caverns ) 000000001930 - 05 - 14 - 0000 May 14, 1930 7008189257108535348 ♠ 46,766.45 acres ( 189.3 km ) 466,773 Carlsbad Caverns has 117 caves, the longest of which is over 120 miles ( 190 km ) long. The Big Room is almost 4,000 feet ( 1,200 m ) long, and the caves are home to over 400,000 Mexican free - tailed bats and sixteen other species. Above ground are the Chihuahuan Desert and Rattlesnake Springs. ( WHS ) Channel Islands California 34 ° 01 ′ N 119 ° 25 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 34.01 ° N 119.42 ° W ﻿ / 34.01 ; - 119.42 ﻿ ( Channel Islands ) 000000001980 - 03 - 05 - 0000 March 5, 1980 7009100993753563056 ♠ 249,561.00 acres ( 1,009.9 km ) 364,807 Five of the eight Channel Islands are protected, and half of the park 's area is underwater. The islands have a unique Mediterranean ecosystem originally settled by the Chumash people. They are home to over 2,000 species of land plants and animals, and 145 are unique to them, including the island fox. Ferry services offer transportation to the islands from the mainland. ( BR ) Congaree South Carolina 33 ° 47 ′ N 80 ° 47 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 33.78 ° N 80.78 ° W ﻿ / 33.78 ; - 80.78 ﻿ ( Congaree ) 000000002003 - 11 - 10 - 0000 November 10, 2003 7008106334470920826 ♠ 26,275.82 acres ( 106.3 km ) 143,843 On the Congaree River, 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. An elevated walkway called the Boardwalk Loop guides visitors through the swamp. ( BR ) Crater Lake Oregon 42 ° 56 ′ N 122 ° 06 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 42.94 ° N 122.1 ° W ﻿ / 42.94 ; - 122.1 ﻿ ( Crater Lake ) 000000001902 - 05 - 22 - 0000 May 22, 1902 7008741481423480638 ♠ 183,224.05 acres ( 741.5 km ) 756,344 Crater Lake lies in the caldera of an ancient volcano called Mount Mazama that collapsed 7,700 years ago. It is the deepest lake in the United States and is noted for its vivid blue color and water clarity. There are two more recent volcanic islands in the lake, and, with no inlets or outlets, all water comes through precipitation. Cuyahoga Valley Ohio 41 ° 14 ′ N 81 ° 33 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 41.24 ° N 81.55 ° W ﻿ / 41.24 ; - 81.55 ﻿ ( Cuyahoga Valley ) 000000002000 - 10 - 11 - 0000 October 11, 2000 7008131815623790160 ♠ 32,572.35 acres ( 131.8 km ) 2,423,390 This park along the Cuyahoga River has waterfalls, hills, trails, and exhibits on early rural living. The Ohio and Erie Canal Towpath Trail follows the Ohio and Erie Canal, where mules towed canal boats. The park has numerous historic homes, bridges, and structures, and also offers a scenic train ride. Death Valley California, Nevada 36 ° 14 ′ N 116 ° 49 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 36.24 ° N 116.82 ° W ﻿ / 36.24 ; - 116.82 ﻿ ( Death Valley ) 000000001994 - 10 - 31 - 0000 October 31, 1994 7010136503022312697 ♠ 3,373,063.14 acres ( 13,650.3 km ) 1,296,283 Death Valley is the hottest, lowest, and driest place in the United States. Daytime temperatures have topped 130 ° F ( 54 ° C ) and it is home to Badwater Basin, the lowest elevation in North America. The park contains canyons, badlands, sand dunes, and mountain ranges, and more than 1000 species of plants grow in this geologic graben. Additional points of interest include salt flats, historic mines, and springs. ( BR ) Denali Alaska 63 ° 20 ′ N 150 ° 30 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 63.33 ° N 150.50 ° W ﻿ / 63.33 ; - 150.50 ﻿ ( Denali ) 000000001917 - 02 - 26 - 0000 February 26, 1917 7010191857867758738 ♠ 4,740,911.16 acres ( 19,185.8 km ) 587,412 Centered on Denali, the tallest mountain in North America, Denali is serviced by a single road leading to Wonder Lake. Denali and other peaks of the Alaska Range are covered with long glaciers and boreal forest. Wildlife includes grizzly bears, Dall sheep, caribou, and gray wolves. ( BR ) Dry Tortugas Florida 24 ° 38 ′ N 82 ° 52 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 24.63 ° N 82.87 ° W ﻿ / 24.63 ; - 82.87 ﻿ ( Dry Tortugas ) 000000001992 - 10 - 26 - 0000 October 26, 1992 7008261836547694115 ♠ 64,701.22 acres ( 261.8 km ) 73,661 The islands of the Dry Tortugas, at the westernmost end of the Florida Keys, are the site of Fort Jefferson, a Civil War - era fort that is the largest masonry structure in the Western Hemisphere. With most of the park being remote ocean, it is home to undisturbed coral reefs and shipwrecks and is only accessible by plane or boat. ( BR ) Everglades * Florida 25 ° 19 ′ N 80 ° 56 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 25.32 ° N 80.93 ° W ﻿ / 25.32 ; - 80.93 ﻿ ( Everglades ) 000000001934 - 05 - 30 - 0000 May 30, 1934 7009610657724668172 ♠ 1,508,968.1 acres ( 6,106.6 km ) 930,907 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, including the Florida panther, American crocodile, and West Indian manatee. Some areas have been drained and developed ; restoration projects aim to restore the ecology. ( WHS ) ( BR ) Gates of the Arctic Alaska 67 ° 47 ′ N 153 ° 18 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 67.78 ° N 153.30 ° W ﻿ / 67.78 ; - 153.30 ﻿ ( Gates of the Arctic ) 000000001980 - 12 - 02 - 0000 December 2, 1980 7010304481327170114 ♠ 7,523,897.45 acres ( 30,448.1 km ) 10,047 The country 's northernmost park protects an expanse of pure wilderness in Alaska 's Brooks Range and has no park facilities. The land is home to Alaska Natives who have relied on the land and caribou for 11,000 years. Glacier * Montana 48 ° 48 ′ N 114 ° 00 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 48.80 ° N 114.00 ° W ﻿ / 48.80 ; - 114.00 ﻿ ( Glacier ) 000000001910 - 05 - 11 - 0000 May 11, 1910 7009409998735755830 ♠ 1,013,128.94 acres ( 4,100.0 km ) 2,946,681 The U.S. half of Waterton - Glacier International Peace Park, this park includes 26 glaciers and 130 named lakes surrounded by Rocky Mountain peaks. There are historic hotels and a landmark road called the Going - to - the - Sun Road in this region of rapidly receding glaciers. The local mountains, formed by an overthrust, expose Paleozoic fossils including trilobites, mollusks, giant ferns and dinosaurs. ( WHS ) ( BR ) Glacier Bay * Alaska 58 ° 30 ′ N 137 ° 00 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 58.50 ° N 137.00 ° W ﻿ / 58.50 ; - 137.00 ﻿ ( Glacier Bay ) 000000001980 - 12 - 02 - 0000 December 2, 1980 7010130445699355532 ♠ 3,223,383.43 acres ( 13,044.6 km ) 520,171 Glacier Bay contains tidewater glaciers, mountains, fjords, and a temperate rainforest, and is home to large populations of grizzly bears, mountain goats, whales, seals, and eagles. When discovered in 1794 by George Vancouver, the entire bay was covered by ice, but the glaciers have since receded more than 65 miles ( 105 km ). ( WHS ) ( BR ) Grand Canyon * Arizona 36 ° 04 ′ N 112 ° 08 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 36.06 ° N 112.14 ° W ﻿ / 36.06 ; - 112.14 ﻿ ( Grand Canyon ) 000000001919 - 02 - 26 - 0000 February 26, 1919 7009486289300081338 ♠ 1,201,647.03 acres ( 4,862.9 km ) 5,969,811 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. Millions of years of erosion have exposed the multicolored layers of the Colorado Plateau in mesas and canyon walls, visible from both the north and south rims, or from a number of trails that descend into the canyon itself. ( WHS ) Grand Teton Wyoming 43 ° 44 ′ N 110 ° 48 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 43.73 ° N 110.80 ° W ﻿ / 43.73 ; - 110.80 ﻿ ( Grand Teton ) 000000001929 - 02 - 26 - 0000 February 26, 1929 7009125470339075232 ♠ 310,043.96 acres ( 1,254.7 km ) 3,270,076 Grand Teton is the tallest mountain in the Teton Range. The park 's historic Jackson Hole and reflective piedmont lakes teem with endemic wildlife, with a backdrop of craggy mountains that rise abruptly from the sage - covered valley. Great Basin Nevada 38 ° 59 ′ N 114 ° 18 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 38.98 ° N 114.30 ° W ﻿ / 38.98 ; - 114.30 ﻿ ( Great Basin ) 000000001986 - 10 - 27 - 0000 October 27, 1986 7008312336378680832 ♠ 77,180.00 acres ( 312.3 km ) 144,846 Based around Nevada 's second tallest mountain, Wheeler Peak, Great Basin National Park contains 5,000 - year - old bristlecone pines, a rock glacier, and the limestone Lehman Caves. Due to its remote location, the park has some of the country 's darkest night skies. Wildlife includes the Townsend 's big - eared bat, pronghorn, and Bonneville cutthroat trout. Great Sand Dunes Colorado 37 ° 44 ′ N 105 ° 31 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 37.73 ° N 105.51 ° W ﻿ / 37.73 ; - 105.51 ﻿ ( Great Sand Dunes ) 000000002004 - 09 - 13 - 0000 September 13, 2004 7008434397136001925 ♠ 107,341.87 acres ( 434.4 km ) 388,308 The tallest sand dunes in North America, up to 750 feet ( 230 m ) tall, were formed by deposits of the ancient Rio Grande in the San Luis Valley. Abutting a variety of grasslands, shrublands, and wetlands, the park also has alpine lakes, six 13,000 - foot mountains, and old - growth forests. Great Smoky Mountains * Tennessee, North Carolina 35 ° 41 ′ N 83 ° 32 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 35.68 ° N 83.53 ° W ﻿ / 35.68 ; - 83.53 ﻿ ( Great Smoky Mountains ) 000000001934 - 06 - 15 - 0000 June 15, 1934 7009211418657456239 ♠ 522,426.88 acres ( 2,114.2 km ) 11,312,786 The Great Smoky Mountains, part of the Appalachian Mountains, span a wide range of elevations, making them home to over 400 vertebrate species, 100 tree species, and 5000 plant species. Hiking is the park 's main attraction, with over 800 miles ( 1,300 km ) of trails, including 70 miles ( 110 km ) of the Appalachian Trail. Other activities include fishing, horseback riding, and touring nearly 80 historic structures. ( WHS ) ( BR ) Guadalupe Mountains Texas 31 ° 55 ′ N 104 ° 52 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 31.92 ° N 104.87 ° W ﻿ / 31.92 ; - 104.87 ﻿ ( Guadalupe Mountains ) 000000001966 - 10 - 15 - 0000 October 15, 1966 7008349515253319063 ♠ 86,367.10 acres ( 349.5 km ) 181,839 This park contains Guadalupe Peak, the highest point in Texas, as well as the scenic McKittrick Canyon filled with bigtooth maples, a corner of the arid Chihuahuan Desert, and a fossilized coral reef from the Permian era. Haleakalā Hawaii 20 ° 43 ′ N 156 ° 10 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 20.72 ° N 156.17 ° W ﻿ / 20.72 ; - 156.17 ﻿ ( Haleakalā ) 000000001916 - 08 - 01 - 0000 August 1, 1916 7008134617141085695 ♠ 33,264.62 acres ( 134.6 km ) 1,263,558 The Haleakalā volcano on Maui features a very large crater with numerous cinder cones, Hosmer 's Grove of alien trees, the Kipahulu section 's scenic pools of freshwater fish, and the native Hawaiian goose. It is home to the greatest number of endangered species within a U.S. National Park. ( BR ) Hawaiʻi Volcanoes * Hawaii 19 ° 23 ′ N 155 ° 12 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 19.38 ° N 155.20 ° W ﻿ / 19.38 ; - 155.20 ﻿ ( Hawaiʻi Volcanoes ) 000000001916 - 08 - 01 - 0000 August 1, 1916 7009130888035735869 ♠ 323,431.38 acres ( 1,308.9 km ) 1,887,580 This park on the Big Island protects the Kīlauea and Mauna Loa volcanoes, two of the world 's most active geological features. Diverse ecosystems range from tropical forests at sea level to barren lava beds at more than 13,000 feet ( 4,000 m ). ( WHS ) ( BR ) Hot Springs Arkansas 34 ° 31 ′ N 93 ° 03 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 34.51 ° N 93.05 ° W ﻿ / 34.51 ; - 93.05 ﻿ ( Hot Springs ) 000000001921 - 03 - 04 - 0000 March 4, 1921 7007224564109735398 ♠ 5,549.10 acres ( 22.5 km ) 1,544,300 Hot Springs was established by act of Congress as a federal reserve on April 20, 1832. As such it is the oldest park managed by the National Park Service. Congress changed the reserve 's designation to national park on March 4, 1921 after the National Park Service was established in 1916. Hot Springs is the smallest and only national park in an urban area and is based around natural hot springs that flow out of the low lying Ouachita Mountains. The springs provide opportunities for relaxation in an historic setting ; Bathhouse Row preserves numerous examples of 19th - century architecture. Isle Royale Michigan 48 ° 06 ′ N 88 ° 33 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 48.10 ° N 88.55 ° W ﻿ / 48.10 ; - 88.55 ﻿ ( Isle Royale ) 000000001940 - 04 - 03 - 0000 April 3, 1940 7009231395247891830 ♠ 571,790.11 acres ( 2,314.0 km ) 24,966 The largest island in Lake Superior is a place of isolation and wilderness. Along with its many shipwrecks, waterways, and hiking trails, the park also includes over 400 smaller islands within 4.5 miles ( 7.2 km ) of its shores. There are only 20 mammal species on the entire island, though the relationship between its wolf and moose populations is especially unique. ( BR ) Joshua Tree California 33 ° 47 ′ N 115 ° 54 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 33.79 ° N 115.90 ° W ﻿ / 33.79 ; - 115.90 ﻿ ( Joshua Tree ) 000000001994 - 10 - 31 - 0000 October 31, 1994 7009319958932219797 ♠ 790,635.74 acres ( 3,199.6 km ) 2,505,286 Covering large areas of the Colorado and Mojave Deserts and the Little San Bernardino Mountains, this desert landscape is populated by vast stands of Joshua trees. Large changes in elevation reveal various contrasting environments including bleached sand dunes, dry lakes, rugged mountains, and maze - like clusters of monzogranite monoliths. ( BR ) Katmai Alaska 58 ° 30 ′ N 155 ° 00 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 58.50 ° N 155.00 ° W ﻿ / 58.50 ; - 155.00 ﻿ ( Katmai ) 000000001980 - 12 - 02 - 0000 December 2, 1980 7010148702926184076 ♠ 3,674,529.33 acres ( 14,870.3 km ) 37,818 This park on the Alaska Peninsula protects the Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes, an ash flow formed by the 1912 eruption of Novarupta, as well as Mount Katmai. Over 2,000 grizzly bears come here each year to catch spawning salmon. Other wildlife includes caribou, wolves, moose, and wolverines. Kenai Fjords Alaska 59 ° 55 ′ N 149 ° 39 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 59.92 ° N 149.65 ° W ﻿ / 59.92 ; - 149.65 ﻿ ( Kenai Fjords ) 000000001980 - 12 - 02 - 0000 December 2, 1980 7009271132763690549 ♠ 669,983.65 acres ( 2,711.3 km ) 346,534 Near Seward on the Kenai Peninsula, this park protects the Harding Icefield and at least 38 glaciers and fjords stemming from it. The only area accessible to the public by road is Exit Glacier ; the rest must be viewed or reached from boat tours. Kings Canyon California 36 ° 48 ′ N 118 ° 33 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 36.80 ° N 118.55 ° W ﻿ / 36.80 ; - 118.55 ﻿ ( Kings Canyon ) 000000001940 - 03 - 04 - 0000 March 4, 1940 7009186924783773426 ♠ 461,901.20 acres ( 1,869.2 km ) 607,479 Home to several giant sequoia groves and the General Grant Tree, the world 's second largest measured tree, this park also features part of the Kings River, sculptor of the dramatic granite canyon that is its namesake, and the San Joaquin River, as well as Boyden Cave. ( BR ) Kobuk Valley Alaska 67 ° 33 ′ N 159 ° 17 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 67.55 ° N 159.28 ° W ﻿ / 67.55 ; - 159.28 ﻿ ( Kobuk Valley ) 000000001980 - 12 - 02 - 0000 December 2, 1980 7009708489693589546 ♠ 1,750,716.16 acres ( 7,084.9 km ) 15,500 Kobuk Valley protects 61 miles ( 98 km ) of the Kobuk River and three regions of sand dunes. Created by glaciers, the Great Kobuk, Little Kobuk, and Hunt River Sand Dunes can reach 100 feet ( 30 m ) high and 100 ° F ( 38 ° C ), and they are the largest dunes in the Arctic. Twice a year, half a million caribou migrate through the dunes and across river bluffs that expose well - preserved ice age fossils. Lake Clark Alaska 60 ° 58 ′ N 153 ° 25 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 60.97 ° N 153.42 ° W ﻿ / 60.97 ; - 153.42 ﻿ ( Lake Clark ) 000000001980 - 12 - 02 - 0000 December 2, 1980 7010106020211880659 ♠ 2,619,816.49 acres ( 10,602.0 km ) 21,102 The region around Lake Clark features four active volcanoes, including Mount Redoubt, as well as an abundance of rivers, glaciers, and waterfalls. Temperate rainforests, a tundra plateau, and three mountain ranges complete the landscape. Lassen Volcanic California 40 ° 29 ′ N 121 ° 31 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 40.49 ° N 121.51 ° W ﻿ / 40.49 ; - 121.51 ﻿ ( Lassen Volcanic ) 000000001916 - 08 - 09 - 0000 August 9, 1916 7008431350460144322 ♠ 106,589.02 acres ( 431.4 km ) 536,068 Lassen Peak, the largest plug dome volcano in the world, is joined by all three other types of volcanoes in this park : shield, cinder dome, and composite. Though Lassen itself last erupted in 1915, most of the rest of the park is continuously active. Numerous hydrothermal features, including fumaroles, boiling pools, and bubbling mud pots, are heated by molten rock from beneath the peak. Mammoth Cave * Kentucky 37 ° 11 ′ N 86 ° 06 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 37.18 ° N 86.10 ° W ﻿ / 37.18 ; - 86.10 ﻿ ( Mammoth Cave ) 000000001941 - 07 - 01 - 0000 July 1, 1941 7008213796193698112 ♠ 52,830.19 acres ( 213.8 km ) 586,514 With more than 400 miles ( 640 km ) of passageways explored, Mammoth Cave is the world 's longest known cave system. Subterranean wildlife includes eight bat species, Kentucky cave shrimp, Northern cavefish, and cave salamanders. Above ground, the park provides recreation on the Green River, 70 miles of hiking trails, and plenty of sinkholes and springs. ( WHS ) ( BR ) Mesa Verde * Colorado 37 ° 11 ′ N 108 ° 29 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 37.18 ° N 108.49 ° W ﻿ / 37.18 ; - 108.49 ﻿ ( Mesa Verde ) 000000001906 - 06 - 29 - 0000 June 29, 1906 7008212399947295255 ♠ 52,485.17 acres ( 212.4 km ) 583,527 This area constitutes over 4,000 archaeological sites of the Ancestral Puebloan people, who lived here and elsewhere in the Four Corners region for at least 700 years. Cliff dwellings built in the 12th and 13th centuries include Cliff Palace, which has 150 rooms and 23 kivas, and the Balcony House, with its many passages and tunnels. ( WHS ) Mount Rainier Washington 46 ° 51 ′ N 121 ° 45 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 46.85 ° N 121.75 ° W ﻿ / 46.85 ; - 121.75 ﻿ ( Mount Rainier ) 000000001899 - 03 - 02 - 0000 March 2, 1899 7008956602557971444 ♠ 236,381.64 acres ( 956.6 km ) 1,356,913 Mount Rainier, an active stratovolcano, is the most prominent peak in the Cascades and is covered by 26 named glaciers including Carbon Glacier and Emmons Glacier, the largest in the contiguous United States. The mountain is popular for climbing, and more than half of the park is covered by subalpine and alpine forests and meadows seasonally in bloom with wildflowers. Paradise on the south slope is the snowiest place on Earth where snowfall is measured regularly. The Longmire visitor center is the start of the Wonderland Trail, which encircles the mountain. North Cascades Washington 48 ° 42 ′ N 121 ° 12 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 48.70 ° N 121.20 ° W ﻿ / 48.70 ; - 121.20 ﻿ ( North Cascades ) 000000001968 - 10 - 02 - 0000 October 2, 1968 7009204277598894410 ♠ 504,780.94 acres ( 2,042.8 km ) 28,646 This complex includes two geographically distinct units of the national park, as well as Ross Lake and Lake Chelan National Recreation Areas. The highly glaciated mountains are spectacular examples of Cascade geology. Popular hiking and climbing areas include Cascade Pass, Mount Shuksan, Mount Triumph, and Eldorado Peak. Olympic * Washington 47 ° 58 ′ N 123 ° 30 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 47.97 ° N 123.50 ° W ﻿ / 47.97 ; - 123.50 ﻿ ( Olympic ) 000000001938 - 06 - 29 - 0000 June 29, 1938 7009373383248281300 ♠ 922,650.10 acres ( 3,733.8 km ) 3,390,221 Situated on the Olympic Peninsula, this park includes a wide range of ecosystems from Pacific shoreline to temperate rainforests to the alpine slopes of the Olympic Mountains, the tallest of which is Mount Olympus. The Hoh Rainforest and Quinault Rainforest are the wettest area in the contiguous United States, with the Hoh receiving an average of almost 12 ft ( 3.7 m ) of rain every year. ( WHS ) ( BR ) Petrified Forest Arizona 35 ° 04 ′ N 109 ° 47 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 35.07 ° N 109.78 ° W ﻿ / 35.07 ; - 109.78 ﻿ ( Petrified Forest ) 000000001962 - 12 - 09 - 0000 December 9, 1962 7008896037830845141 ♠ 221,415.77 acres ( 896.0 km ) 643,274 This portion of the Chinle Formation has a large concentration of 225 - million - year - old petrified wood. The surrounding Painted Desert features eroded cliffs of red - hued volcanic rock called bentonite. Dinosaur fossils and over 350 Native American sites are also protected in this park. Pinnacles California 36 ° 29 ′ N 121 ° 10 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 36.48 ° N 121.16 ° W ﻿ / 36.48 ; - 121.16 ﻿ ( Pinnacles ) 000000002013 - 01 - 10 - 0000 January 10, 2013 7008107993317836932 ♠ 26,685.73 acres ( 108.0 km ) 215,555 Named for the eroded leftovers of a portion of an extinct volcano, the park 's massive black and gold monoliths of andesite and rhyolite are a popular destination for rock climbers. Hikers have access to trails crossing the Coast Range wilderness. The park is home to the endangered California condor ( Gymnogyps californianus ) and one of the few locations in the world where these extremely rare birds can be seen in the wild. Pinnacles also supports a dense population of prairie falcons, and more than 13 species of bat which populate its talus caves. Redwood * California 41 ° 18 ′ N 124 ° 00 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 41.30 ° N 124.00 ° W ﻿ / 41.30 ; - 124.00 ﻿ ( Redwood ) 000000001968 - 10 - 02 - 0000 October 2, 1968 7008562510493194053 ♠ 138,999.37 acres ( 562.5 km ) 536,297 This park and the co-managed state parks protect almost half of all remaining coastal redwoods, the tallest trees on earth. There are three large river systems in this very seismically active area, and 37 miles ( 60 km ) of protected coastline reveal tide pools and seastacks. The prairie, estuary, coast, river, and forest ecosystems contain a wide variety of animal and plant species. ( WHS ) Rocky Mountain Colorado 40 ° 24 ′ N 105 ° 35 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 40.40 ° N 105.58 ° W ﻿ / 40.40 ; - 105.58 ﻿ ( Rocky Mountain ) 000000001915 - 01 - 26 - 0000 January 26, 1915 7009107563501216309 ♠ 265,795.20 acres ( 1,075.6 km ) 4,517,585 Bisected north to south by the Continental Divide, this portion of the Rockies has ecosystems varying from over 150 riparian lakes to montane and subalpine forests to treeless alpine tundra. Wildlife including mule deer, bighorn sheep, black bears, and cougars inhabit its igneous mountains and glacial valleys. Longs Peak, a classic Colorado fourteener, and the scenic Bear Lake are popular destinations, as well as the historic Trail Ridge Road, which reaches an elevation of more than 12,000 feet ( 3,700 m ). ( BR ) Saguaro Arizona 32 ° 15 ′ N 110 ° 30 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 32.25 ° N 110.50 ° W ﻿ / 32.25 ; - 110.50 ﻿ ( Saguaro ) 000000001994 - 10 - 14 - 0000 October 14, 1994 7008371160350517040 ♠ 91,715.72 acres ( 371.2 km ) 820,426 Split into the separate Rincon Mountain and Tucson Mountain districts, this park is evidence that the dry Sonoran Desert is still home to a great variety of life spanning six biotic communities. Beyond the namesake giant saguaro cacti, there are barrel cacti, chollas, and prickly pears, as well as lesser long - nosed bats, spotted owls, and javelinas. Sequoia California 36 ° 26 ′ N 118 ° 41 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 36.43 ° N 118.68 ° W ﻿ / 36.43 ; - 118.68 ﻿ ( Sequoia ) 000000001890 - 09 - 25 - 0000 September 25, 1890 7009163518344926733 ♠ 404,062.63 acres ( 1,635.2 km ) 1,254,688 This park protects the Giant Forest, which boasts some of the world 's largest trees, the General Sherman being the largest measured tree in the park. Other features include over 240 caves, a long segment of the Sierra Nevada including the tallest mountain in the contiguous United States, and Moro Rock, a large granite dome. ( BR ) Shenandoah Virginia 38 ° 32 ′ N 78 ° 21 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 38.53 ° N 78.35 ° W ﻿ / 38.53 ; - 78.35 ﻿ ( Shenandoah ) 000000001935 - 12 - 26 - 0000 December 26, 1935 7008806114657711202 ♠ 199,195.27 acres ( 806.1 km ) 1,437,341 Shenandoah 's Blue Ridge Mountains are covered by hardwood forests that teem with a wide variety of wildlife. The Skyline Drive and Appalachian Trail run the entire length of this narrow park, along with more than 500 miles ( 800 km ) of hiking trails passing scenic overlooks and cataracts of the Shenandoah River. Theodore Roosevelt North Dakota 46 ° 58 ′ N 103 ° 27 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 46.97 ° N 103.45 ° W ﻿ / 46.97 ; - 103.45 ﻿ ( Theodore Roosevelt ) 000000001978 - 11 - 10 - 0000 November 10, 1978 7008285088449234606 ♠ 70,446.89 acres ( 285.1 km ) 753,880 This region that enticed and influenced President Theodore Roosevelt consists of a park of three units in the northern badlands. Besides Roosevelt 's historic cabin, there are numerous scenic drives and backcountry hiking opportunities. Wildlife includes American bison, pronghorn, bighorn sheep, and wild horses. Virgin Islands United States Virgin Islands 18 ° 20 ′ N 64 ° 44 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 18.33 ° N 64.73 ° W ﻿ / 18.33 ; - 64.73 ﻿ ( Virgin Islands ) 000000001956 - 08 - 02 - 0000 August 2, 1956 7007604942713559895 ♠ 14,948.46 acres ( 60.5 km ) 411,343 This island park on Saint John preserves Taíno archaeological sites and the ruins of sugar plantations from Columbus 's time, as well as all the natural environs. Surrounding the pristine beaches are mangrove forests, seagrass beds, and coral reefs. ( BR ) Voyageurs Minnesota 48 ° 30 ′ N 92 ° 53 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 48.50 ° N 92.88 ° W ﻿ / 48.50 ; - 92.88 ﻿ ( Voyageurs ) 000000001971 - 01 - 08 - 0000 January 8, 1971 7008883024678396143 ♠ 218,200.15 acres ( 883.0 km ) 241,912 This park protecting four lakes near the Canada -- US border is a site for canoeing, kayaking, and fishing. The park also preserves a history populated by Ojibwe Native Americans, French fur traders called voyageurs, and gold miners. Formed by glaciers, the region features tall bluffs, rock gardens, islands, bays, and several historic buildings. Wind Cave South Dakota 43 ° 34 ′ N 103 ° 29 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 43.57 ° N 103.48 ° W ﻿ / 43.57 ; - 103.48 ﻿ ( Wind Cave ) 000000001903 - 01 - 09 - 0000 January 9, 1903 7008137475112028322 ♠ 33,970.84 acres ( 137.5 km ) 617,377 Wind Cave is distinctive for its calcite fin formations called boxwork, a unique formation rarely found elsewhere, and needle - like growths called frostwork. The cave is one of the longest and most complex caves in the world. Above ground is a mixed - grass prairie with animals such as bison, black - footed ferrets, and prairie dogs, and ponderosa pine forests that are home to cougars and elk. The cave is culturally significant to the Lakota people as the site `` from which Wakan Tanka, the Great Mystery, sent the buffalo out into their hunting grounds. '' Wrangell -- St. Elias * Alaska 61 ° 00 ′ N 142 ° 00 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 61.00 ° N 142.00 ° W ﻿ / 61.00 ; - 142.00 ﻿ ( Wrangell -- St. Elias ) 000000001980 - 12 - 02 - 0000 December 2, 1980 7010336825787871639 ♠ 8,323,146.48 acres ( 33,682.6 km ) 79,047 An over 8 million acres ( 32,375 km ) plot of mountainous country -- the largest national park in the system -- protects the convergence of the Alaska, Chugach, and Wrangell - Saint Elias Ranges, which include many of the continent 's tallest mountains and volcanoes, including the 18,008 - foot Mount Saint Elias. More than a quarter of the park is covered with glaciers, including the tidewater Hubbard Glacier, piedmont Malaspina Glacier, and valley Nabesna Glacier. ( WHS ) Yellowstone * Wyoming, Montana, Idaho 44 ° 36 ′ N 110 ° 30 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 44.60 ° N 110.50 ° W ﻿ / 44.60 ; - 110.50 ﻿ ( Yellowstone ) 000000001872 - 03 - 01 - 0000 March 1, 1872 7009898317429114735 ♠ 2,219,790.71 acres ( 8,983.2 km ) 4,257,177 Situated on the Yellowstone Caldera, the park has an expansive network of geothermal areas including boiling mud pots, vividly colored hot springs such as Grand Prismatic Spring, and regularly erupting geysers, the best - known being Old Faithful. The yellow - hued Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River contains several high waterfalls, and four mountain ranges traverse the park. More than 60 mammal species including gray wolves, grizzly bears, black bears, lynxes, bison, and elk, make this park one of the best wildlife viewing spots in the country. ( WHS ) ( BR ) Yosemite * California 37 ° 50 ′ N 119 ° 30 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 37.83 ° N 119.50 ° W ﻿ / 37.83 ; - 119.50 ﻿ ( Yosemite ) 000000001890 - 10 - 01 - 0000 October 1, 1890 7009308268276262214 ♠ 761,747.50 acres ( 3,082.7 km ) 5,028,868 Yosemite features sheer granite cliffs, exceptionally tall waterfalls, and old - growth forests at a unique intersection of geology and hydrology. Half Dome and El Capitan rise from the park 's centerpiece, the glacier - carved Yosemite Valley, and from its vertical walls drop Yosemite Falls, one of North America 's tallest waterfalls at 2,425 feet ( 739 m ) high. Three giant sequoia groves, along with a pristine wilderness in the heart of the Sierra Nevada, are home to a wide variety of rare plant and animal species. ( WHS ) Zion Utah 37 ° 18 ′ N 113 ° 03 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 37.30 ° N 113.05 ° W ﻿ / 37.30 ; - 113.05 ﻿ ( Zion ) 000000001919 - 11 - 19 - 0000 November 19, 1919 7008595847080002037 ♠ 147,237.02 acres ( 595.8 km ) 4,295,127 Located at the junction of the Colorado Plateau, Great Basin, and Mojave Desert, this park contains sandstone features such as mesas, rock towers, and canyons, including the Virgin River Narrows. The various sandstone formations and the forks of the Virgin River create a wilderness divided into four ecosystems : desert, riparian, woodland, and coniferous forest. See also List of areas in the United States National Park System List of the United States National Park System official units History of the National Park Service List of National Monuments of the United States List of U.S. National Forests List of World Heritage Sites in the United States References Jump up ^ `` NPS Organic Act Overview ''. nature.nps.gov. National Park Service. 17 January 2007. Archived from the original on 6 February 2017. Retrieved 26 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` World Heritage List - United States of America ''. whc.unesco.org. UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Archived from the original on 25 February 2017. Retrieved 25 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` UNESCO '' Biosphere Reserves '' United States of America ``. unesco.org. UNESCO. November 2015. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 22 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` The National Parks : Index 2012 - 2016 '' ( PDF ). go.nps.gov/national-parks-index. National Park Service. 2012. Archived ( PDF ) from the original on 15 February 2017. Retrieved 27 February 2017. ^ Jump up to : `` Annual Park Ranking Report for Recreation Visitors in : 2016 ''. irma.nps.gov. National Park Service. Retrieved 10 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Lower, Rocío ( 17 October 2016 ). `` How many national parks are there ? ''. nationalparks.org. National Park Foundation. Archived from the original on 22 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. The National Park System encompasses 417 national parks in the United States... Within the system, there are 59 sites that include ' National Park ' as part of their proper name Jump up ^ The National Parks : Index 2009 -- 2011 ( PDF ). Washington, D.C. : National Park Service. Retrieved 25 February 2016. Jump up ^ `` National Park System Areas Listed in Chronological Order of Date Authorized under DOI '' ( PDF ). National Park Service. 27 June 2005. Archived from the original on March 11, 2012. Retrieved 18 January 2010. CS1 maint : Unfit url ( link ) Jump up ^ `` National Reports ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 5 May 2017. Click on Park Acreage Reports ( 1997 -- Last Calendar / Fiscal Year ), then select By Park, Calendar Year, < choose year >, and then click the View PDF Report button - the areas used here are the Gross Area Acres which are in the final column of the report Jump up ^ `` Acadia National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Acadia National Park Places To Go ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 28 January 2014. Jump up ^ `` National Park of American Samoa ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Arches National Park - Arches Rock Stars ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 25 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Arches National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Badlands National Park - Fossils ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 25 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Badlands National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Big Bend National Park ''. National Park Service. December 8, 2009. Jump up ^ `` Big Bend Biosphere Reserve and National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Biscayne National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Bryce Canyon National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Canyonlands National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Capitol Reef National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Carlsbad Caverns National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` World Heritage List - Carlsbad Caverns National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Channel Islands National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Channel Islands Biosphere Reserve ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Congaree National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` South Atlantic Coastal Plain Biosphere Reserve ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Crater Lake National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Cuyahoga Valley National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Cuyahoga Valley National Park Scenic Railroad ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 4 November 2012. Jump up ^ `` Death Valley National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Mojave and Colorado Deserts Biosphere Reserve ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Denali National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Denali Biosphere Reserve and National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Dry Tortugas National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Everglades & Dry Tortugas Biosphere Reserve ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Everglades National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` World Heritage List - Everglades National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Gates of the Arctic National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Glacier National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Glacier National Park - Fossils ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 25 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` World Heritage List - Waterton Glacier International Peace Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Glacier Biosphere Reserve and National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Glacier Bay National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` World Heritage List - Kluane / Wrangell - St. Elias / Glacier Bay / Tatshenshini - Alsek ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Glacier Bay and Admiralty Island Biosphere Reserve ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Grand Canyon National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` World Heritage List - Grand Canyon National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Grand Teton National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Great Basin National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Great Sand Dunes National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Great Smoky Mountains National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` World Heritage List - Great Smoky Mountains National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Southern Appalachian Biosphere Reserve ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Guadalupe Mountains National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Haleakala National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Hawaiian Islands Biosphere Reserve ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Hawaii Volcanoes National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` World Heritage List - Hawaii Volcanoes National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Hot Springs National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Isle Royale National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Isle Royale Biosphere Reserve and National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Joshua Tree National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Katmai National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Kenai Fjords National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Kings Canyon National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. ^ Jump up to : `` Sequoia and Kings Canyon Biosphere Reserve and National Parks ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Kobuk Valley National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Lake Clark National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Lassen Volcanic National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Mammoth Cave National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` World Heritage List - Mammoth Cave National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Biosphere Reserve and National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Mesa Verde National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` World Heritage List - Mesa Verde National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Mount Rainier National Park - Frequently Asked Questions ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 28 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Mount Rainier National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` North Cascades National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Olympic National Park - Weather and Climate '' ( PDF ). National Park Service. Retrieved 28 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Olympic National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` World Heritage List - Olympic National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Olympic Biosphere Reserve and National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Petrified Forest National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Pinnacles National Monument ''. National Park Service. January 9, 2009. Retrieved 2009 - 01 - 24. Jump up ^ `` Redwood National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` World Heritage List - Redwood National and State Parks ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Rocky Mountain National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Rocky Mountain Biosphere Reserve and National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Saguaro National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Sequoia National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Shenandoah National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Theodore Roosevelt National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Virgin Islands National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Virgin Islands Biosphere Reserve and National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Voyageurs National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Wind Cave National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Wind Cave 's Early Days ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 28 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Wrangell -- St. Elias National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` Yellowstone National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` World Heritage List - Yellowstone National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Biosphere Reserve and National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Yosemite National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. Jump up ^ `` World Heritage List - Yosemite National Park ''. unesco.org. UNESCO. Archived from the original on 24 February 2017. Retrieved 24 February 2017. Jump up ^ `` Zion National Park ''. National Park Service. Retrieved 23 March 2010. External links Wikivoyage has a travel guide for United States National Parks. Wikimedia Commons has media related to National parks of the United States. Map all coordinates using OSM Map all coordinates using Google Export all coordinates as KML Export all coordinates as GPX Map all microformatted coordinates Place data as RDF Official website of the National Park Service Find a Park by the NPS The National Parks : America 's Best Idea by PBS Visitor use statistics America 's Natural Heritage - The Essential Guide to the National Parks by the Washington Post National parks of the United States Acadia American Samoa Arches Badlands Big Bend Biscayne Black Canyon of the Gunnison Bryce Canyon Canyonlands Capitol Reef Carlsbad Caverns Channel Islands Congaree Crater Lake Cuyahoga Valley Death Valley Denali Dry Tortugas Everglades Gates of the Arctic Glacier Glacier Bay Grand Canyon Grand Teton Great Basin Great Sand Dunes Great Smoky Mountains Guadalupe Mountains Haleakalā Hawaiʻi Volcanoes Hot Springs Isle Royale Joshua Tree Katmai Kenai Fjords Kings Canyon Kobuk Valley Lake Clark Lassen Volcanic Mammoth Cave Mesa Verde Mount Rainier North Cascades Olympic Petrified Forest Pinnacles Redwood Rocky Mountain Saguaro Sequoia Shenandoah Theodore Roosevelt Virgin Islands Voyageurs Wind Cave Wrangell -- St. Elias Yellowstone Yosemite Zion List of national parks of the United States ( by elevation ) Federal Protected Areas in the United States Park System Parks Preserves Lakeshores and Seashores Forests Grasslands Monuments Marine Sanctuaries Recreation Areas Landscape Conservation System Estuarine Research Reserves Trails Wild and Scenic Rivers Wilderness Preserves Wildlife Refuges Retrieved from `` https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=List_of_national_parks_of_the_United_States&oldid=811684624 '' Categories : Lists of national parks in the United States Hidden categories : CS1 maint : Unfit url Commons category without a link on Wikidata Lists of coordinates Geographic coordinate lists Articles with Geo Official website not in Wikidata Featured lists Talk Contents About Wikipedia Azərbaycanca Български Čeština Dansk Deutsch Eesti Español Esperanto فارسی Føroyskt Français 한국어 Hrvatski Íslenska Italiano ქართული Lietuvių മലയാളം Nederlands 日本 語 Norsk Polski Runa Simi Русский Slovenčina Српски / srpski Srpskohrvatski / српскохрватски Svenska Türkçe Українська Tiếng Việt 中文 Edit links This page was last edited on 23 November 2017, at 06 : 40. 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Question: how many national state parks are there in the us
Answer: Twenty-seven