How Many US National Parks Are There? The Official 2025 Count
The Official Number: Understanding the US National Park Count
The Direct Answer: The Current Official Total of National Parks
The precise number of areas officially designated as a National Park in the United States is 63. This count is definitive because each of these sites—from the oldest, Yellowstone, to the newest, New River Gorge—has been formally established as a National Park by an explicit act of Congress. To ensure complete accuracy and build reader confidence, we must rely on the ultimate source of truth: the official National Park Service (NPS) website, which confirms this exact figure.
Why the Number is Often Confusing: National Parks vs. NPS Units
A common point of confusion arises because the NPS is responsible for far more sites than just the 63 official National Parks. The agency manages over 420 units within the National Park System, each established to preserve areas of national significance for the enjoyment of future generations. This extensive system includes other important designations such as National Monuments, National Preserves, National Seashores, National Battlefields, and National Historic Sites. While all 420+ sites are often referred to conversationally as “national parks,” only 63 have the specific legal title “National Park.” This distinction in title is critical, as it often reflects the primary purpose, size, and level of protection mandated by Congress for that specific piece of land.
The 63 Icons: A Complete List of US National Parks by State
The United States’ 63 official National Parks represent the pinnacle of conservation, protecting the most iconic natural and historical treasures across the nation. To establish the highest level of authority and offer a definitive resource, we present the complete, officially designated list, including their primary location and the year Congress established their National Park status.
Mapping the US National Parks: Which States Have the Most?
When examining the distribution of these monumental sites, two states clearly stand out. California leads the nation with nine official National Parks, encompassing an incredible diversity of landscapes, from the world’s tallest trees in Sequoia and Redwood to the harsh beauty of Death Valley and Joshua Tree. Closely following is Alaska, which boasts eight parks, including some of the largest and most remote wilderness areas like Gates of the Arctic and Wrangell-St. Elias.
Beyond the states with the highest raw count, Utah is famous among park enthusiasts for its remarkable concentration of sites. Home to the legendary “Mighty 5”—Arches, Bryce Canyon, Canyonlands, Capitol Reef, and Zion National Parks—these five Southwestern jewels collectively attract millions of visitors annually to experience their unparalleled geologic formations. This density of world-class parks makes the region a prime destination for road-trippers and demonstrates the deep experience available within a single state.
The Newest Park: The Most Recent Designation in the National Park System
While the establishment of a new National Park is a rare event requiring an Act of Congress, the most recent addition to the official list is New River Gorge in West Virginia. Designated on December 27, 2020, this site was elevated from its previous status as a National River to become the 63rd official National Park. Its designation recognized its exceptional historical and natural significance, transforming it into a major outdoor recreation destination known for its whitewater rafting and the iconic New River Gorge Bridge.
| National Park | State(s) | Designation Year |
|---|---|---|
| Acadia | Maine | 1919 |
| American Samoa | American Samoa (Territory) | 1988 |
| Arches | Utah | 1971 |
| Badlands | South Dakota | 1978 |
| Big Bend | Texas | 1944 |
| Biscayne | Florida | 1980 |
| Black Canyon of the Gunnison | Colorado | 1999 |
| Bryce Canyon | Utah | 1928 |
| Canyonlands | Utah | 1964 |
| Capitol Reef | Utah | 1971 |
| Carlsbad Caverns | New Mexico | 1930 |
| Channel Islands | California | 1980 |
| Congaree | South Carolina | 2003 |
| Crater Lake | Oregon | 1902 |
| Cuyahoga Valley | Ohio | 2000 |
| Death Valley | California, Nevada | 1994 |
| Denali | Alaska | 1917 |
| Dry Tortugas | Florida | 1992 |
| Everglades | Florida | 1934 |
| Gates of the Arctic | Alaska | 1980 |
| Gateway Arch | Missouri | 2018 |
| Glacier | Montana | 1910 |
| Glacier Bay | Alaska | 1980 |
| Grand Canyon | Arizona | 1919 |
| Grand Teton | Wyoming | 1929 |
| Great Basin | Nevada | 1986 |
| Great Sand Dunes | Colorado | 2004 |
| Great Smoky Mountains | Tennessee, North Carolina | 1934 |
| Guadalupe Mountains | Texas | 1972 |
| Haleakalā | Hawaiʻi | 1961 |
| Hawaiʻi Volcanoes | Hawaiʻi | 1916 |
| Hot Springs | Arkansas | 1921 |
| Indiana Dunes | Indiana | 2019 |
| Isle Royale | Michigan | 1940 |
| Joshua Tree | California | 1994 |
| Katmai | Alaska | 1980 |
| Kenai Fjords | Alaska | 1980 |
| Kings Canyon | California | 1940 |
| Kobuk Valley | Alaska | 1980 |
| Lake Clark | Alaska | 1980 |
| Lassen Volcanic | California | 1916 |
| Mammoth Cave | Kentucky | 1941 |
| Mesa Verde | Colorado | 1906 |
| Mount Rainier | Washington | 1899 |
| New River Gorge | West Virginia | 2020 |
| North Cascades | Washington | 1968 |
| Olympic | Washington | 1938 |
| Petrified Forest | Arizona | 1962 |
| Pinnacles | California | 2013 |
| Redwood | California | 1968 |
| Rocky Mountain | Colorado | 1915 |
| Saguaro | Arizona | 1994 |
| Sequoia | California | 1890 |
| Shenandoah | Virginia | 1935 |
| Theodore Roosevelt | North Dakota | 1978 |
| Virgin Islands | U.S. Virgin Islands (Territory) | 1956 |
| Voyageurs | Minnesota | 1975 |
| White Sands | New Mexico | 2019 |
| Wind Cave | South Dakota | 1903 |
| Wrangell-St. Elias | Alaska | 1980 |
| Yellowstone | Wyoming, Montana, Idaho | 1872 |
| Yosemite | California | 1890 |
| Zion | Utah | 1919 |
Note: Designation Year indicates the date the site was established as an official National Park by Congress, which may differ from its initial preservation as a monument or reservation.
The Great Distinction: National Park vs. National Monument vs. Other Units
When attempting to determine how many national parks are there, one must first understand the critical legal and functional differences that separate the 63 official National Parks from the over 400 other units managed by the National Park Service (NPS). The distinction is not merely semantic; it dictates the purpose, scale, allowed activities, and, most importantly, the method of establishment.
The Legislative Difference: How Congressional Designation Works
A National Park represents the highest level of conservation designation in the United States and is reserved for lands with the greatest scenic, inspirational, educational, and recreational value. The creation of a National Park is a deliberate, often lengthy, process that requires an Act of Congress. This legislative mandate is rooted in the National Park Service Organic Act of 1916, which established the NPS and set its foundational mission: to “conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life 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.” This mandate is paramount, ensuring that a National Park is generally designated to protect a wide variety of resources across a large area, placing long-term conservation above all other uses.
National Monuments: Created by Presidential Authority (The Antiquities Act)
The most common point of confusion comes from the National Monument designation. Unlike a National Park, which requires a full legislative effort, a National Monument can be created quickly by a Presidential Proclamation. This power is granted to the President under the Antiquities Act of 1906, a landmark piece of legislation originally intended to safeguard ancient artifacts and prehistoric sites from looting. The Act authorizes the President to reserve federal lands and declare “historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest” as National Monuments.
This results in a key difference: National Monuments are typically established to protect a single, significant historical or natural feature, making them generally smaller and often more focused in scope than the expansive, multi-resource National Parks. The ease and speed of a Presidential Proclamation—rather than the time-consuming process of securing Congressional approval—make the Monument designation a powerful, fast-track tool for protecting resources under immediate threat. Many iconic National Parks, including Grand Canyon and Acadia, began their protected lives as National Monuments before Congress later upgraded their status.
Exploring the Other 400+ Units: Preserves, Seashores, and Historic Sites
Beyond the National Parks and National Monuments, the National Park System is a sprawling tapestry of over 400 unique units. These sites are categorized as National Preserves, National Seashores, National Historic Sites, National Military Parks, and more, each with its own specific set of rules and protection mandates.
National Preserves, in particular, highlight the functional difference in land management. While they protect resources of national significance just like a National Park, the designation allows for more traditional resource uses that are typically restricted in official National Parks, such as regulated hunting, fishing, and, in some cases, mineral extraction. This demonstrates a key lesson in federal land management: the specific name of the unit is a direct indicator of the legal authorities, the management priorities, and the types of activities visitors are permitted to engage in. Understanding these nuances—from the legislative authority (Congress vs. President) to the permissible uses—is vital for truly grasping the scope and authority of the American conservation system.
The Experience, Expertise, Authority, and Trust of the National Park Service
Understanding the Mission: The NPS’s Role in Conservation and Interpretation
The foundation of American land preservation rests upon the shoulders of the National Park Service (NPS), an agency established in 1916. Its core mission is not merely to manage land, but 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.” This mandate requires the NPS to operate as the authoritative expert on the conservation, history, and ecology of all park units. By overseeing more than 85 million acres of land across the United States, the agency’s dedicated staff—including scientists, historians, rangers, and resource specialists—possesses unparalleled experience in balancing human access with ecological protection. Their collective knowledge forms the highest-level source of information regarding the national parks.
Authority & Trust: Why NPS is the Definitive Source for Park Information
When seeking details about the nation’s 63 official National Parks, the agency’s official website, NPS.gov, stands as the benchmark for authoritative and trustworthy content. This platform is the highest-trust source for everything from critical safety warnings and current operating hours to essential park regulations and detailed historical data. The public trust placed in the NPS is central to its operation, a principle highlighted by the first Director of the National Park Service, Stephen Mather. He stated, “The parks do not belong to one state or to one section…. The Yosemite, the Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon are national properties in which every citizen has a vested interest.” This declaration emphasizes the national, shared ownership of these resources and the NPS’s ultimate responsibility to manage them with transparency and integrity for all citizens.
Proprietary Data: Utilizing Visitor Statistics for Park Planning
The expertise of the National Park Service is further demonstrated by its meticulous collection and analysis of data, which informs everything from resource management to future infrastructure projects. The NPS releases annual visitation data that provides a clear picture of how the American public interacts with their national treasures. This analysis of proprietary annual visitation statistics consistently shows that the Great Smoky Mountains National Park ranks as the most-visited park in the entire system, welcoming over 13 million visitors in 2023. Understanding these statistics is vital for planning, as the data helps both the agency and visitors make informed, experience-based decisions about when and where to travel to best appreciate the American wilderness while navigating crowd levels.
Planning Your Visit: Mapping the Most and Least Visited National Parks
Understanding the distribution of visitors across the National Park System is the most critical factor for an informed trip, directly impacting your experience, whether you seek lively social trails or deep wilderness solitude. The top five most-visited National Parks alone consistently account for over 25% of all national park recreation visits, according to 2024 National Park Service (NPS) annual visitation data. This concentration of visitors highlights why careful planning is essential for a peak season trip to these destinations. Conversely, exploring the parks at the other end of the visitation spectrum offers an almost guaranteed escape from the crowds.
The Top 5 Most Popular US National Parks for Peak Season Planning
The most popular parks are famous for a reason—they contain some of the most iconic landscapes in the world. However, the sheer volume of people means that reservations, shuttle systems, and early-morning starts are often non-negotiable for securing a desired experience. Based on definitive NPS data from 2024, these parks require the highest degree of preparation.
Finding Solitude: Exploring the 5 Least Visited and Most Remote Parks
For those whose primary goal is to disconnect and experience true American wilderness, the least-visited parks offer unparalleled opportunities. These sites, largely concentrated in Alaska, are often challenging to access, requiring a plane, boat, or extended hiking, which naturally filters visitor traffic. Parks such as Gates of the Arctic and Kobuk Valley routinely top the list of least-visited parks, providing rugged, unparalleled wilderness experiences where the visitor count is measured in the tens of thousands, not millions.
Data-Driven Decisions: Using Visitor Statistics to Avoid Crowds
To help you decide between a popular or solitary experience, the following table presents the contrast between the busiest and quietest parks, using the most recent completed calendar year data available from the NPS. The National Park Service maintains a highly detailed Visitor Use Statistics tool (found within the NPS IRMA portal) which allows travelers to access real-time crowd data, annual reports, and park management initiatives—all invaluable resources for making data-driven decisions to avoid the most congested times. By consulting these official sources, you move beyond anecdotal advice and rely on the highest level of park expertise to plan your trip.
| Park Name | 2024 Recreation Visits (NPS Data) | Visitation Type | Primary State(s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains National Park | 12,191,834 | Most Visited | Tennessee, North Carolina |
| Zion National Park | 4,946,592 | Most Visited | Utah |
| Grand Canyon National Park | 4,919,163 | Most Visited | Arizona |
| Yellowstone National Park | 4,744,353 | Most Visited | Wyoming, Montana, Idaho |
| Rocky Mountain National Park | 4,154,349 | Most Visited | Colorado |
| — | — | — | — |
| Isle Royale National Park | 28,806 | Least Visited | Michigan |
| Lake Clark National Park | 18,505 | Least Visited | Alaska |
| Kobuk Valley National Park | 17,233 | Least Visited | Alaska |
| North Cascades National Park | 16,485 | Least Visited | Washington |
| Gates of the Arctic National Park | 11,907 | Least Visited | Alaska |
This comparison highlights the immense difference between a park with over 12 million visitors and one with fewer than 12,000. It demonstrates that the same “National Park” designation can lead to vastly different experiences, allowing you to choose the destination that best aligns with your desire for either convenience or solitude.
Your Top Questions About the US National Parks Answered
Q1. Which State has the most National Parks?
The distinction of having the most official National Parks is shared between two states. California leads the count with nine designated sites, closely followed by Alaska with eight. The sheer size and remarkable geological and ecological diversity of both states—from California’s desert valleys and giant sequoia groves to Alaska’s massive wilderness and glacial fjords—account for their high representation in the park system. California’s parks include icons like Yosemite and Death Valley, while Alaska boasts vast protected areas such as Gates of the Arctic and Wrangell-St. Elias.
Q2. Is the Statue of Liberty a National Park?
No, the Statue of Liberty is not an official National Park. It is formally designated as the Statue of Liberty National Monument, a title given to it by Presidential Proclamation in 1924. While it is managed by the National Park Service (NPS)—the same agency that oversees the 63 official National Parks—its legislative classification is different. It is one of the more than 420 sites under the NPS umbrella, which includes monuments, battlefields, seashores, and historic sites, all protected for their significance, but only those designated by Congress as such hold the “National Park” title.
Q3. Who decides when a new National Park is created?
A new official National Park is created exclusively through an Act of Congress. This is a critical legal difference from a National Monument, which can be created much faster by a Presidential Proclamation using the Antiquities Act of 1906. For a park to achieve the official National Park designation, it must undergo full legislative approval, passing both the U.S. House of Representatives and the Senate, and finally receiving the President’s signature. This stringent process ensures that the protected area possesses national significance, is suitable and feasible for long-term NPS management, and is safeguarded for future generations.
Final Takeaways: Mastering the US National Park Count in 2025
The Three Key Facts to Remember
If you take only three pieces of information away from this guide, let them be the most authoritative facts straight from the source. The current, definitive number of official US National Parks is 63, a count that is verified and maintained by the National Park Service (NPS) itself. The NPS, as the government agency in charge of all these sites, is the ultimate authority on the subject. Furthermore, while the number 63 is important, remember that the NPS oversees over 420 different units—a crucial distinction for travelers planning their visits.
What to Do Next: Start Planning Your National Park Adventure
With the correct count and the context of the larger National Park System in hand, your next step is to leverage this knowledge for a successful trip. To get started, immediately utilize the official NPS website’s ‘Find a Park’ feature to explore the full 420+ different types of park units that exist beyond the 63 official National Parks. To best match your desired experience, download the official checklist we’ve provided and prioritize your next trip based on the park unit type—whether you seek deep, protected wilderness (National Park) or a focus on a specific, significant historical feature (National Monument).