List of 63 US National Parks By State + Printable Checklist

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I was born in Vermont and currently live in New York. Still, I have lived in a couple of other Northeastern states and as a freelance writer I am thrilled to share travel resources and stories based on my personal experience and expertise with anyone looking to uncover the Northeast’s charm.

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Wondering what the 63 national parks in the US are? Here’s a complete list of all US national parks by state and territory.

Only sixty-three national parks are officially named, so let’s do a whirlwind tour of these national parks by state to get an overview of some of the most beautiful acreage in the world.

Board our virtual helicopter, sit back, and let us pilot you to all the national parks listed by state. They are all designated because of their natural beauty and ecological diversity. You can handpick from the complete list of national parks we cover those you’d love to revisit in person.

From the coral reefs of the Dry Tortugas, the world’s largest trees in Sequoia, the magnificent waterfalls in Yosemite, to the glaciers of Denali, Alaska, there is a jaw-dropping variation in every one of the thirty states that are home to national parks.

This article has a complete list of US national parks by state with park info, a simpler list, a printable checklist for your adventures, and an interactive map. Enjoy!

Pssst: if you’re visiting 3 or more national parks in a 12-month period, you might want to check out the America the Beautiful Pass. This national park pass can save you some serious money in entry fees. Here’s our America the Beautiful Pass review.

Awesome lake reflecting Mt. Rainier in Mt. Rainier National Park — Mt. Rainier National Park

Table of Contents

Quick Facts About The US National Parks

Oldest US National Park: Yellowstone in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming, which was established in 1872.
Newest US National Park: New River Gorge in West Virginia, which was established in 2020.
Largest US National Park: Wrangell-St. Elias in Alaska, which measures 13.2 million acres.
Smallest US National Park: Gateway Arch in Missouri, which measures 91 acres.
Most Visited US National Park: Great Smoky Mountains in North Carolina and Tennessee, which received over 14 million visitors in 2021.
Least Visited US National Park: Gates of the Arctic in Alaska, which received a little over 7 thousand visitors in 2021.
Most Remote National Park: Dry Tortugas in Florida.

Sequoia National Park in California is home to the largest tree in the world, measuring 88,500 cubic feet.

Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky has the longest known cave system in the world.

Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado has the tallest sand dune in North America, measuring 755 feet tall.

Mesa Verde National Park in Colorado protects 5,000 archaeological sites.

Scratch-Off National Park Maps on Amazon

Here are some of our favorite scratch-off maps on Amazon:

National Park Tips

Trash your trash: People leaving trash, dog poop, and other paraphernalia on trails across the USA is becoming an increasing problem. Leave no trace.

Watch out for wildlife: Some animals might feel or be unsafe near humans. Never startle, disturb, approach, or feed wild animals.

Don’t pocket the past: Help preserve the great American heritage. Leave all artifacts exactly where you find them and report their location to a ranger.

Campfire only in fire ring: When allowed, only have a campfire in fire rings to avoid ground scarring and wildfires.

Know your limits: The reason we include trail info, such as distance and elevation gain, is so that you can plan according to your physical condition. Beyond that, always wear sunscreen, insect repellent, and appropriate clothing/hiking shoes. For instance, these trail-runners have the perfect balance of breathability and terrain grip.

Share your plans: Because some trails are more challenging and far out in nature, it’s always better to let others know where you’ll be.

Drink plenty of water: Last but definitely not least. Pack enough potable water with you. We love this high-quality Camelbak and it fits 70oz of water.

Buy the America The Beautiful Pass: If you plan to visit three national parks within a year, the best value is to buy the America the Beautiful pass. For only $80, you get access to every US national park with this handy national park pass. We highly recommend it! Click here to buy you America the Beautiful pass.

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Another amazing beach on the West Coast is Ruby Beach in Washington — Olympic National Park, Washington

List of US National Parks By State

Here are all US national parks by state with some information about them. We’re sure you will enjoy it. After all, these are some of the best places to visit in America!

Alaska National Parks

Second to California, in terms of the number of national parks in the state, Alaska has eight.

On top of that, Alaska boasts the largest national park in the US (Wrangell-St. Elias), measuring 13.2 million acres, the tallest mountain in the US, let alone North America (Mount Denali), at 20,310 ft, as well as unique wildlife in the massive herds of caribou.

Alaska, maybe not surprisingly, has America’s least visited national park, with only 7,362 visitors in 2021 (Gates of the Arctic).

In fact, of the fifteen least visited national parks, seven of them are in Alaska.

In our list of national parks by state, these are the eight Alaskan parks:

Glacier Bay National Park

Established: 1980
Annual visitors (2021): 89,768
Size: 3.3 million acres
Check it out: watch the whales, go on a boat tour, go sea kayaking, hike the Forest Trail

Denali National Park

Established: 1917
Annual visitors (2021): 229,521
Size: 4.7 million acres
Check it out: hike Savage Alpine Trail, take in Mount Denali, flightseeing

Gates of the Arctic National Park

Established: 1980
Annual visitors (2021): 7,362
Size: 8.5 million acres
Check it out: flightseeing tour, hike the Arrigetch Peaks, birding

Katmai National Park

Established: 1980
Annual visitors (2021): 24,764
Size: 4.3 million acres
Check it out: hike to the viewpoint over Brooks Camp, spot brown bears, hike through Valley of Ten Thousand Smokes

Kenai Fjords National Park

Established: 1980
Annual visitors (2021): 411,782
Size: 607,805 acres
Check it out: hike the Harding Icefield Trail, spot humpback whales and orcas, kayak in front of glaciers

Kobuk Valley National Park

Established: 1980
Annual visitors (2021): 11,540
Size: 1.75 million acres
Check it out: flightseeing tour, spot wildlife, see Ice Age sand dunes

Lake Clark National Park

Established: 1980
Annual visitors (2021): 18,278
Size: 4 million acres
Check it out: go boating, raft wild rivers, bear viewing

Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

Established: 1980
Annual visitors (2021): 50,189
Size: 13.2 million acres
Check it out: see Mount Wrangell, Root Glacier Trail, spot wildlife

American Samoa National Parks

There’s only one national park in American Samoa, deep in the South Pacific. About 50% of this US national park territory is marine acres, so there are lots of coral reefs to see.

Beautiful beaches, rainforests, and villages protecting Samoan culture are the key attractions.

This American national park is the most remote of all the US national parks and is the second-least visited of all the national parks.

National Park of American Samoa

Established: 1988
Annual visitors (2021): 8,495
Size: 9,500 acres
Check it out: snorkel, hike Mount ‘Alava, visit Jean P Haydon Museum

Arizona National Parks

There are only three national parks in Arizona, but what they lack in numbers is more than compensated for by their uniqueness and grandeur.

The Grand Canyon is the most prominent feature in the state and is considered one of the Seven Wonders Of The World.

In 1979, it was also proclaimed a World Heritage Site, and today it is a “must” on anyone’s list of national parks by state.

Over four million visitors a year flock to what President Theodore Roosevelt called “a natural wonder…. unparalleled throughout the rest of the world.”

Grand Canyon National Park

Established: 1919
Annual visitors (2021): 4,532,677
Size: 1.2 million acres
Check it out: hike Rim Trail, see Desert View Watchtower, take in the views from Mather Point, helicopter tour, hummer tour

Petrified Forest National Park

Established: 1962
Annual visitors (2021): 590,334
Size: 221,390 acres
Check it out: hike the Blue Mesa Trail, cycle through the Tepees, Painted Desert

Saguaro National Park

Established: 1994
Annual visitors (2021): 1,079,786
Size: 92,867 acres
Check it out: horseback riding, camping, Cactus Forest Drive

Arkansas National Parks

The state of Arkansas can only claim one national park. However, it’s one of the oldest national parks in the US, having been proclaimed a National Reservation in 1832 to protect the hot springs.

Set aside as a park in 1880, it was finally designated Hot Springs National Park in 1921.

Today the national park incorporates part of the city of Hot Springs but includes trails, camp areas, and the country’s most famous collection of bathhouses in Bathhouse Row.

It’s one of the smallest national parks listed by state, but it’s Arkansas’ contribution to our list:

Hot Springs National Park

Established: 1921
Annual visitors (2021): 2,162,884
Size: 5,554 acres
Check it out: Hot Springs Mountain Tower, Fordyce Bathhouse, Garvan Woodland Gardens

California National Parks

California is home to nine of the 63 national parks, more than any other state, one of which is shared with the State of Nevada.

Our virtual helicopter sweep of the Golden State takes us from islands in the Pacific Ocean through valleys and deserts to the peaks of the Sierra Nevada – a rich kaleidoscope of colors, terrain, and experiences through the best West Coast national parks for any and all visitors.

Ninety-two million people visited the sixty-three national parks in 2021, and nearly four million chose Yosemite National Park.

California can claim the largest national park, at just over three million acres. Of all the national parks listed by state, It’s also the hottest, driest and lowest.

Yet despite its name, Death Valley has a rich biodiversity of plants and wildlife and is the only known home of the Saltwater Pupfish.

The national parks in California provide visitors with an endless range of activities and are a must on your selected national parks by state.

Channel Islands National Park

Established: 1980
Annual visitors (2021): 319,252
Size: 249,561 acres
Check it out: Painted Cave Trail, spot dolphins, watch whales, sailboat tour

Death Valley National Park

Established: 1994
Annual visitors (2021): 1,146,551
Size: 3.4 million acres
Check it out: Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Ubehebe Crater, Badwater Basin, self-guided driving tour

Joshua Tree National Park

Established: 1994
Annual visitors (2021): 3,064,400
Size: 795,155 acres
Check it out: Skull Rock, offroad tour, Keys View, Hidden Valley Nature Trail (and many other trails)

Kings Canyon National Park

Established: 1940
Annual visitors (2021): 562,918
Size: 461,901 acres
Check it out: Zumwalt Meadows, Rim Walk, Roaring River Falls, Grizzly Falls Picnic Area

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Established: 1916
Annual visitors (2021): 359,635
Size: 106,589 acres
Check it out: Bumpass Hell, Summit Lake, Kohm Yah-mah-nee Visitor Center

Pinnacles National Park

Established: 2013
Annual visitors (2021): 348,857
Size: 26,685 acres
Check it out: Bear Gulch Cave Trail, Condor Gulch Trail, Balconies Cave Trail

Redwood National Park

Established: 1968
Annual visitors (2021): 435,879
Size: 138,999 acres
Check it out: Lady Bird Johnson Grove Trail, Tall Trees Trail, scenic drives

Sequoia National Park

Established: 1890
Annual visitors (2021): 1,059,548
Size: 404,062 acres
Check it out: General Sherman Tree, Tunnel Log, Moro Rock

Yosemite National Park

Breathtaking Yosemite Falls in Yosemite NP, California

Established: 1890
Annual visitors (2021): 3,287,595
Size: 761,747 aces
Check it out: Yosemite Falls, Tunnel View, Glacier Point, full-day tour

Colorado National Parks

Spectacular – that’s the only way to describe these four national parks in one word.

From deep canyons gouged out over a period of two million years, where the sun only shines for thirty-three minutes a day, to the tallest sand dunes in the US and the magnificent alpine lakes and peaks of the Rockies, Colorado has it all.

There are also over seven hundred years of history to uncover in the Mesa Verde, where ancient tribes built flourishing communities in carved elaborate homes into the cliffsides.

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park

Established: 1999
Annual visitors (2021): 308,910
Size: 30,779 acres
Check it out: Painted Wall, South Rim Road, Pulpit Rock Overlook

Great Sand Dunes National Park

Established: 2004
Annual visitors (2021): 602,613
Size: 107,345 acres
Check it out: Little Medano Creek, High Dune, stargaze

Mesa Verde National Park

Established: 1906
Annual visitors (2021): 548,477
Size: 52,485 acres
Check it out: Cliff Palace, Balcony House, Spruce Tree House, see petroglyphs

Rocky Mountain National Park

Established: 1915
Annual visitors (2021): 4,434,848
Size: 265,807 acres
Check it out: Bear Lake, sunrise tour, Trail Ridge Road, snowy hiking tour, Emerald Lake Trail (and many more hiking trails)

Florida National Parks

Florida is next on our list of national parks by state, with three designated national parks.

Two of the three national parks in Florida are coastal, protecting reefs of coral and spectacular marine life, and most easily accessed by boat or seaplane.

Also in Florida is the third-largest national park in the contiguous US and the largest tropical wilderness in the United States.

On top of that, it’s safe to say the Sunshine State has some of the most beautiful East Coast national parks.

Over one million visitors annually to experience the unique swamps, see the alligators, and marvel at one of the world’s most complex ecosystems.

Biscayne National Park

Established: 1980
Annual visitors (2021): 705,665
Size: 172,971 acres
Check it out: SUP at Jones Lagoon, spot dolphins, dive in turquoise waters

Dry Tortugas National Park

Established: 1992
Annual visitors (2021): 83,817
Size: 64,701 acres
Check it out: spot sea turtles, kayak Loggerhead Key, explore Fort Jefferson

Everglades National Park

Established: 1934
Annual visitors (2021): 942,130
Size: 1.5 million acres
Check it out: Mahogany Hammock Trail, spot alligators, hike Anhinga Trail

Hawaii National Parks

Spectacular sunrises and sunsets, hikes through volcanic landscapes, and learning of the ancient and modern cultures of the people of Hawaii – this awaits you in Hawaii.

It’s also the site of not one but two of the most active volcanoes in the world, so a visit here is quite an experience – in fact, the island is still recovering from intense eruptions in 2018, so not the whole park is accessible.

Haleakala National Park

Established: 1961
Annual visitors (2021): 853,181
Size: 33,264 acres
Check it out: zipline, catch the sunrise from Haleakala’s summit, stargaze

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

Big Island, Hawaii is one of the best places to visit in February in the USA

Established: 1916
Annual visitors (2021): 1,262,747
Size: 325,605 acres
Check it out: Crater Rim drive tour, see Holei Sea Arch, explore old lava flows, stargazing tour

Idaho National Parks

Although Idaho lays claim to part of Yellowstone National Park, it only houses 1%, so you’ll also find it listed under Montana and Wyoming in our list of national parks by state.

Yellowstone National Park

Established: 1872
Annual visitors (2021): 4,860,242
Size: 2.2 million acres
Check it out: Thumb Geyser, kayak tour, Mammoth Hot Springs, hiking, Old Faithful

Kentucky National Parks

The hardest part of visiting Kentucky’s only national park seems to be getting there!

Even the official word is that GPS and online maps have taken people in the wrong direction or to the north gate, which requires a ferry crossing.

However, once you’re in, it’s your choice as to which activity you prefer.

There is the longest cave system in the world to explore, with over four hundred miles of caves and tunnels surveyed.

Staying above ground, you have hiking and biking trails, fishing on thirty miles of the Green and Nolin Rivers, or kayaking and camping on the many islands.

Mammoth Cave National Park

Established: 1941
Annual visitors (2021): 515,774
Size: 54,016 acres
Check it out: Dinosaur World, wild cave tour, hiking, kayaking

Indiana National Parks

With fifteen miles of shoreline on the southern side of Lake Michigan, historic farms, bird life, and 11,000-year-old dunes, there’s something different to do in every season in this national park.

Designated in 2019, the park attracts over 3 million people every year.

With 369 different species of flowering plants, spring is spectacular, while in winter, the snow-covered dunes are perfect for skiing.

Indiana Dunes National Park

Established: 2019
Annual visitors (2021): 3,177,210
Size: 15,349 acres
Check it out: hit the beach, birding, camp, check historical sites, photo hike

Maine National Parks

Maine has the only national park in the northeast region of the US, but that hasn’t put people off, and more and more people visit the park every year.

In 2021 a record 4.06 million people visited it, making it the sixth-most popular national park in the US.

Mount Desert Island, half of which falls within the park, was once the summer retreat of America’s wealthiest families.

John D. Rockefeller financed the construction of fifty-seven miles of carriage roads, most of which are still used today. The coping along the edge of the road is known as “Rockefeller’s Teeth.”

The rugged rocky coastline and the mountains provide dramatic scenery, and the peak of Cadillac Mountain is where the first sight of sunrise in the United States can be viewed.

We add here to our National Parks By State the “Crown Jewel Of the North Atlantic Coast”:

Acadia National Park

Established: 1919
Annual visitors (2021): 4,069,098
Size: 49,071 acres
Check it out: Cadillac Mountain, Bass Harbor Head Lighthouse, narrated bus tour, and Beehive Trail (there are many more incredible hiking trails here)

Michigan National Parks

Take an island in the middle of Lake Superior, add 400 small adjacent islands and the water between them, and you have a very different type of national park.

The main island, Isle Royale, 45 miles long and 9 miles wide, is the fourth largest lake island in the world.

Isle Royale has a fascinating history, used as a hunting ground by indigenous people, dating back to 3000 B.C., as well as a source of copper which they mined on the island.

For visitors, activities include hiking, kayaking, fishing, and camping.

Access to many campsites is by hiking, canoe, or kayak, as no wheeled vehicles are permitted (except wheelchairs).

This park is the only one in the country closed for part of the year (November to April). This explains why it has the lowest visitor figures of all sixty-three national parks by state.

Nevertheless, it is on our list of national parks by state:

Isle Royale National Park

Established: 1940
Annual visitors (2021): 25,844
Size: 571,790 acres
Check it out: Rock Harbor, lighthouse tour, take a hike, ferry ride

Minnesota National Parks

It took eighty years before President Richard Nixon proclaimed Minnesota’s first and only national park in 1971. Covering just over 218,000 acres, the park is only accessible by boat.

In the park, there are four large lakes and many smaller ones in a beautiful remote setting – the remoteness is one of the reasons why not many people visit.

Those that do get to enjoy the fishing, hiking the one hundred miles of trails, and sightseeing, as well as the tranquillity and quiet beauty of the park.

Voyageurs National Park

Established: 1975
Annual visitors (2021): 243,042
Size: 218,222 acres
Check it out: Ellsworth Rock Gardens, Beaver Pond Overlook, Locator Lake Trail

Missouri National Parks

A unique national park, and the only one in the state, has as its focal point a catenary steel arch and is the smallest national park at only ninety-one acres.

As an urban national park, its creation involved purchasing and demolishing many buildings to create a memorial park.

One of the few that survived is the Old Courthouse, which stands at the base of the Gateway Arch.

The arch is the world’s tallest at 630 feet and offers a unique tram ride to the viewpoint at the very top.

Gateway Arch National Park

the breathtaking Gateway Arch in St. Louis

Established: 2018
Annual visitors (2021): 1,145,081
Size: 91 acres
Check it out: tram ride to the top of Gateway Arch, Monument to the Dream Documentary

Montana National Parks

Montana has only two national parks, one of them is Yellowstone which is also covered under Idaho and Wyoming in our list of national parks by state.

This magnificent national park spans over one million acres, boasts 700 lakes, 200 waterfalls, six mountains over 10,000 feet in height, and a history of peoples and tribes dating back 10,000 years.

Sadly, with climate change, the glaciers that gave the park its name and numbered 150 in the mid-19th century are estimated to disappear entirely by 2030.

Glacier National Park

Established: 1910
Annual visitors (2021): 3,081,656
Size: 1 million acres
Check it out: Saint Mary Falls, scenic float, Going-to-the-Sun Road, Highline Trail (and many other hiking trails)

Yellowstone National Park

A crowd of tourists watching the Old Faithful Geyser erupting

Established: 1872
Annual visitors (2021): 4,860,242
Size: 2.2 million acres
Check it out: Thumb Geyser, kayak tour, Mammoth Hot Springs, hiking, Old Faithful

Nevada National Parks

Nevada has two national parks, one of them is the Death Valley National Park which has also been listed in California, so we will list it twice here.

The other national park, Great Basin, protects 77,180 acres and is best known for the Lehman Caves, which began forming 550 million years ago, and whose main occupants include bacteria, spiders, mites, and pseudoscorpions! Oh, yes, and several species of bats.

Several trails have been created, and hikers who choose to camp can experience spectacular stargazing as the park is renowned for its dark night skies.

Great Basin National Park

Established: 1986
Annual visitors (2021): 144,875
Size: 77,180 acres
Check it out: Lehman Caves, Wheeler Peak, scenic drive

Death Valley National Park

Established: 1994
Annual visitors (2021): 1,146,551
Size: 3.4 million acres
Check it out: Zabriskie Point, Mesquite Flat Sand Dunes, Ubehebe Crater, Badwater Basin, self-guided driving tour

New Mexico National Parks

Above and below ground, New Mexico offers visitors to its two national parks an insight into another world.

In one park, endless dunes of snow-white gypsum cover 275 square miles of desert.

Under the ground of the Chihuahuan desert is a maze of over 119 caves, including The Big Room, which is over 4000 feet long, 625 feet wide, and 255 feet high.

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Established: 1930
Annual visitors (2021): 349,244
Size: 46,766 acres
Check it out: Slaughter Canyon Cave, Walnut Canyon Desert Drive, Rattlesnake Springs

White Sands National Park

Established: 2019
Annual visitors (2021): 782,469
Size: 146,344 acres
Check it out: Dune Life Nature Trail, Interdune boardwalk, sled the dunes

North Dakota National Parks

North Dakota’s one national park has a unique claim to fame – it’s the only park named in honor of an individual person.

Based on Theodore Roosevelt’s love of the area and his policies on wildlife conservation, the park was established after his death in 1919.

Today the park is home to a wide variety of Great Plains wildlife, including bison, elk, bighorn sheep, mustang horses, and deer, as well as nearly two hundred bird species.

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Established: 1978
Annual visitors (2021): 796,085
Size: 70,446 acres
Check it out: hike Skyline Vista Trail, spot wildlife, kayak

North Carolina National Parks

North Carolina takes pride of place as the state with the most visited national park, with over fourteen million people in 2021 coming to the park from all over the world.

Mountains, forests, waterfalls, and beautiful scenery are the main attractions. There is also a rich historical element, with many old barns, log cabins, and churches still preserved.

Covering over 500,000 acres, the park has sadly experienced fires every year of its existence and, at one stage, was the most polluted national park in the country.

Fortunately, steps are being taken to control pollution, which has improved steadily over the last few years.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Established: 1934
Annual visitors (2021): 14,161,548
Size: 522,426 acres
Check it out: bicycling, viewing wildlife, touring Cades Cove, overnight backpacking

Ohio National Parks

An unusual national park, and the only one in Ohio, it is sandwiched between two big cities and surrounded by freeways, busy highways, and urban sprawl.

As such, this “green lung” offers refuge to wildlife and city folk with its deep valley, forested walks, and meandering river.

There are several biking and hiking trails, and a scenic railroad will take you on a wonderful ride through the valley without the exercise if that’s your choice!

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Established: 2000
Annual visitors (2021): 2,575,275
Size: 32,571 acres
Check it out: hike Ledges Trail, Brandywine Falls, Kendall Lake

Oregon National Parks

The only national park in Oregon and the fifth oldest in the country, this park was created on the caldera and surrounding of an ancient, ruined volcano.

The lake in the crater has no rivers running into or out of it. It relies purely on rain and snow to maintain its water level and its extraordinary azure blue purity.

The park is snow-covered for about eight months a year. It’s only open for travel when the roads are not blocked, generally from June or July through October, so visitor numbers are limited.

Nevertheless, about 700,000 people a year visit this one of the most pristine lakes in the world.

Crater Lake National Park

Established: 1902
Annual visitors (2021): 647,751 acres
Size: 183,224
Check it out: Toketee Falls, birding, Cleetwood Cove Trail, day tour

South Carolina National Parks

As the only designated national park in South Carolina, it’s protection for one of the largest concentrations of champion trees in the world, so called because of their unique height, girth, and significance.

Once designated a swamp, it no longer is and offers hiking trails, kayaking and canoe trails, and an elevated walkway that protects fungi and plants in wetter areas.

Congaree National Park

Established: 2003
Annual visitors (2021): 215,181
Size: 26,692 acres
Check it out: Boardwalk Loop Trail, kayak, wildlife viewing

South Dakota National Parks

South Dakota offers visitors to its two national parks amazing landscapes of buttresses, pinnacles, and spires carved out by glacial action and erosion dating back thirty-five million years.

It also offers a formation of caves, of which about 130 miles have been mapped to date.

This part of South Dakota has been termed the Badlands because of its unforgiving landscape and arid climate.

Because many animals failed to make the journey to water and died in the heat, some fascinating fossil remains have been discovered in the park.

Badlands National Park

Established: 1978
Annual visitors (2021): 1,224,226
Size: 242,755 acres
Check it out: Big Badlands Overlook, spot bison, Loop Road, private tour

Wind Cave National Park

Established: 1903
Annual visitors (2021): 709,001
Size: 33,970 acres
Check it out: cave tour, wildlife viewing, hike

Tennessee National Parks

This national park, the only one in Tennessee, has been covered under North Carolina in our list of national parks by state.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Beautiful fall foliage by the road in Great Smoky Mountains

Established: 1934
Annual visitors (2021): 14,161,548
Size: 522,426 acres
Check it out: bicycling, viewing wildlife, touring Cades Cove, overnight backpacking

Texas National Parks

The remoteness of the two national parks in Texas, close to the Mexican and New Mexico borders, has resulted in fewer visitors than one would expect, making it even more special for those who venture through them.

Almost unbelievably, the sea covered this part of the world hundreds of millions of years ago, and the proof is in the fossilized coral reefs that are now visible.

Hikes will take visitors through arid deserts, rocky crags to verdant river valleys. Camping can be tailored to suit, from simple tents to luxurious lodges – Texas has it all.

Big Bend National Park

Established: 1944
Annual visitors (2021): 581,220
Size: 801,163 acres
Check it out: hike Santa Elena Canyon, scenic drives, Lost Mine Trail, canyon float tour

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Established: 1966
Annual visitors (2021): 243,291
Size: 86,367 acres
Check it out: scenic drives, Guadalupe Peak, Salt Basin Dunes

Utah National Parks

Utah’s five national parks are all unique, close to each other, and all offer excellent hiking opportunities at all levels, making for a great family vacation without having to travel out of state.

Towering sandstone arches carved by millennia of erosion, orchards, river canyons, and coniferous forests can all be viewed in The Mighty Five road trip, which can be done in five days, but ideally should take you two weeks.

Arches National Park

Established: 1971
Annual visitors (2021): 1,806,865
Size: 76,678 acres
Check it out: Delicate Arch, Landscape Arch, Devils Garden, 4×4 adventure

Bryce Canyon National Park

Established: 1928
Annual visitors (2021): 2,104,600
Size: 35,835 acres
Check it out: Bryce Amphitheater, Navajo Loop Trail, Inspiration Point, scenic tour, hiking experience

Canyonlands National Park

Established: 1964
Annual visitors (2021): 911,594
Size: 337,597 acres
Check it out: Mesa Arch, Green River Overlook, Island in the Sky, tour from Moab

Capitol Reef National Park

Established: 1971
Annual visitors (2021): 1,405,353
Size: 241,904 acres
Check it out: Cassidy Arch, Hickman Natural Bridge, Chimney Rock pillar

Zion National Park

Established: 1919
Annual visitors (2021): 5,039,835
Size: 147,242 acres
Check it out: Angels Landing, The Narrows, scenic drives, UTV slot canyon tour

Virgin Islands National Parks

About 7,259 acres of land plus another 5,650 acres of the ocean make up this national park.

Its main attractions are the coral reefs surrounding the park, the warm ocean waters and marine life, the beaches, and the tropical forests.

Snorkeling and diving, hiking the forest trails, and relaxing in the many resorts make a visit to the Virgin Islands an escape to paradise.

Virgin Islands National Park

Beautiful white sand beach at Virgin Island National Park

Established: 1956
Annual visitors (2021): 323,999
Size: 12,909 acres
Check it out: hit the beach, go swimming, scuba dive, kayak

Virginia National Parks

Just a short drive out of Washington, DC, and you’ve escaped the city into a world of wildflowers, waterfalls, and beautiful vistas.

To take it all in, take the 105-mile Skyline Drive along the “backbone” of the park, the crest of the Blue Ridge Mountains.

It’s a three-hour drive at the speed limit of 35mph but make a day of it!

Shenandoah National Park

Established: 1935
Annual visitors (2021): 1,592,312
Size: 200,192 acres
Check it out: Skyline Drive, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Old Rag Mountain Hike

Washington National Parks

There are three national parks in this state, each with its own beauty and each with different attractions for visitors.

You’ll find Paradise on the slopes of Mount Rainier, a vast protected wilderness to ensure the integrity of this glaciated mountain.

Fauna in the shape of black bears, elk, coyotes, and mountain goats live with numerous other species in a varied landscape, and rivers abound with salmon.

It is a rich source of entertainment for the millions of visitors who appreciate the beauty of the region.

With climate change, many glaciers are slowly receding, some rivers are not receiving the same levels of runoff, and inevitable changes in the biodiversity of the fauna and flora are occurring.

Mount Rainier National Park

Established: 1899
Annual visitors (2021): 1,670,063
Size: 236,381 acres
Check it out: Paradise Overlook, Skyline Trail, Narada Falls, day trip from Seattle

North Cascades National Park

Established: 1968
Annual visitors (2021): 17,855
Size: 504,780 acres
Check it out: Diablo Lake Overlook, Blue Lake Trail, Cascade Pass

Olympic National Park

Fascinating Hoh Rain Forest in Washington

Established: 1938
Annual visitors (2021): 2,718,925
Size: 922,649 acres
Check it out: Lake Crescent, Hurricane Ridge, Hoh Rain Forest, hiking

West Virginia National Parks

With over 70,000 acres along 53 miles of the New River, this national park in West Virginia was designated in 2021, so it is a very recent addition to the list of national parks by state.

The deepest river gorge to be found east of the Mississippi and the location for the finest white-water rafting, this national park also offers visitors the opportunity to do some serious climbing and hiking.

New River Gorge National Park

Established: 2020
Annual visitors (2021): 1,682,720
Size: 7,021 acres
Check it out: rock climbing, white water rafting, scenic drives

Wyoming National Parks

Two national parks, one within 10 miles of the other and the most famous national park of them all.

Together, with their connecting John D Rockefeller Parkway, they comprise the almost eighteen million acres of The Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem, with the same flora and fauna that have existed since prehistoric times.

Geothermal features, the most famous being Old Faithful, also make this a unique national park listed by state.

Endless opportunities exist for visitors to immerse themselves in this rich source of entertainment, learning, and relaxation, to take in the area’s history, and have the vacation of a lifetime.

Grand Teton National Park

Established: 1929
Annual visitors (2021): 3,885,230
Size: 310,044 acres
Check it out: Jackson Hole, climbing, wildlife viewing, scenic hiking

Yellowstone National Park

Established: 1872
Annual visitors (2021): 4,860,242
Size: 2.2 million acres
Check it out: Thumb Geyser, kayak tour, Mammoth Hot Springs, hiking, Old Faithful

Quick List of US National Parks by State

Here’s an easy and simple list of all national parks in America by state.

Alaska

Denali National Park
Gates of the Arctic National Park
Glacier Bay National Park
Katmai National Park
Kenai Fjords National Park
Kobuk Valley National Park
Lake Clark National Park
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park

American Samoa

National Park of American Samoa

Arizona

Grand Canyon National Park
Petrified Forest National Park
Saguaro National Park

Arkansas

Hot Springs National Park

California

Channel Islands National Park
Death Valley National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Kings Canyon National Park
Lassen Volcanic National Park
Pinnacles National Park
Redwood National Park
Sequoia National Park
Yosemite National Park

Colorado

Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Mesa Verde National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park

Florida

Biscayne National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park
Everglades National Park

Hawaii

Haleakala National Park
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park

Idaho

Yellowstone National Park

Kentucky

Mammoth Cave National Park

Indiana

Indiana Dunes National Park

Maine

Acadia National Park

Michigan

Isle Royale National Park

Minnesota

Voyageurs National Park

Missouri

Gateway Arch National Park

Montana

Glacier National Park
Yellowstone National Park

Nevada

Great Basin National Park
Death Valley National Park

New Mexico

Carlsbad Caverns National Park
White Sands National Park

North Dakota

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

North Carolina

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Ohio

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Oregon

Crater Lake National Park

South Carolina

Congaree National Park

South Dakota

Badlands National Park
Wind Cave National Park

Tennessee

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Texas

Big Bend National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Utah

Arches National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Capitol Reef National Park
Zion National Park

Virgin Islands

Virgin Islands National Park

Virginia

Shenandoah National Park

Washington

Mount Rainier National Park
North Cascades National Park
Olympic National Park

West Virginia

New River Gorge National Park

Wyoming

Grand Teton National Park
Yellowstone National Park

List of US National Parks by State in Alphabetical Order

Acadia National Park, Maine
National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa
Arches National Park, Utah
Badlands National Park, South Dakota
Big Bend National Park, Texas
Biscayne National Park, Florida
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, Colorado
Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
Canyonlands National Parks, Utah
Capitol Reef National Park, Utah
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
Channel Islands National Park, California
Congaree National Park, South Carolina
Crater Lake National Park, Oregon
Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
Death Valley National Park; California and Nevada
Denali National Park, Alaska
Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida
Everglades National Park, Florida
Gates of the Arctic National Park, Alaska
Gateway Arch National Park, Missouri
Glacier National Park, Montana
Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
Great Basin National Park, Nevada
Great Sand Dunes National Park, Colorado
Great Smoky Mountains National Park; North Carolina and Tennessee
Guadalupe Mountains National Park, Texas
Haleakala National Park, Hawaii
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii
Hot Springs National Park, Arkansas
Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
Isle Royale National Park, Michigan
Joshua Tree National Park, California
Katmai National Park, Alaska
Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska
Kings Canyon National Park, California
Kobuk Valley National Park, Alaska
Lake Clark National Park, Alaska
Lassen Volcanic National Park, California
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia
North Cascades National Park, Washington
Olympic National Park, Washington
Petrified Forest National Park, Arizona
Pinnacles National Park, California
Redwood National Park, California
Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
Saguaro National Park, Arizona
Sequoia National Park, California
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
Theodore Roosevelt National Park, North Dakota
Virgin Islands National Park, US Virgin Islands
Voyageurs National Park, Minnesota
White Sands National Park, New Mexico
Wind Cave National Park, South Dakota
Wrangell St. Elias National Park, Alaska
Yellowstone National Park; Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming
Yosemite National Park, California
Zion National Park, Utah

How Many National Parks Are There In The US?

The United States has 63 national parks across its states which are protected areas operated by the U.S. National Park Service.

However, the National Park System encompasses 423 national park sites, which include national monuments, national preserves, national memorials, national historic sites, and more in each state, including parks in American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands.

Their mission is to “[…] preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations”.

Which State Has The Most National Parks?

From the 63 US national parks, California leads the list of states with nine national parks. The Golden State is followed by Alaska with eight parks, Utah with five national parks, Colorado with four, and Arizona, Florida, and Washington with three.

How Many States Have National Parks?

Currently, thirty US states have national parks, together with the territories of American Samoa and the Virgin Islands.

Which States Have No National Parks?

While thirty states have at least one national park, twenty states have not a single one. These include Alabama, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Mississippi, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, and Wisconsin.

What Are The 63 US National Parks (By State)?

Here’s a table of all US national parks by state or territory.

State	National Parks
California	9
Alaska	8
Utah	5
Colorado	4
Arizona	3
Florida	3
Washington	3
Hawaii	2
New Mexico	2
South Dakota	2
Texas	2
Montana	2
Nevada	2
Wyoming	2
American Samoa	1
Arkansas	1
Indiana	1
Kentucky	1
Maine	1
Michigan	1
Minnesota	1
Missouri	1
North Dakota	1
Ohio	1
Oregon	1
South Carolina	1
Virgin Islands	1
Virginia	1
West Virginia	1
Idaho	1
North Carolina	1
Tennessee	1

How Many National Forests Are There In The US?

There are 154 national forests in all but ten US states: Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, North Dakota, and Rhode Island.

National Park Resources

Below are some helpful and cool resources for national park lovers!

Scratch-Off National Park Maps on Amazon

Here are some of our favorite scratch-off maps on Amazon:

Printable National Park Checklist

Here’s the free, printable national park checklist for your personal use. Click here to get it! Have fun!

US National Park Interactive Map

As promised, here is the interactive, free national park map. Click here to access it.

To use it, simply open the map on your smartphone, click on the icons to see their info on the map, and the location will be displayed on the lower side of the screen.

You can choose the directions to get to that location or save it for later.

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