In 1872, Yellowstone was designated the world’s first national park.

The National Park Service was created in 1916. This federal bureau is now responsible for managing and protecting the US National Park units.

Today there are 423 National Park sites, however only 63 are granted the legendary title of National Park.

I plan to visit all 63.

“Any day spent in a National Park is a good day.”
Chris Nicholson

If it’s not officially a National Park, what is it?

The other 360 sites are designated monuments, memorials, battlefields, historical parks, and other categories.

There are also a number of affiliated areas. They are significant, but do not meet the National Park System criteria.

On Creating New Units

“The NPS has developed criteria for determining national significance, suitability, and feasibility. An area will be regarded as nationally significant if it is an outstanding example of a resource; exceptionally illustrates or interprets natural or cultural themes of our country’s heritage; provides extraordinary opportunities for public enjoyment or scientific study; and contains a true, accurate, and relatively unspoiled resource.”  Congressional Research Service

List of US National Parks by State

 Alaska

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

 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 and Preserve
• Mesa Verde National Park
• Rocky Mountain National Park

 Florida 

• Biscayne National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park
• Everglades National Park

 Hawaii 

• Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
• Haleakalā National Park

 Indiana 

• Indiana Dunes

 Kentucky 

• Mammoth Cave National Park

 Maine 

• Acadia National Park

 Michigan 

• Isle Royale National Park

 Minnesota 

• Voyageurs National Park

 Missouri 

• Gateway Arch National Park

 Montana 

• Glacier National Park

 Nevada 

• Great Basin National Park

 New Mexico 

• Carlsbad Caverns National Park
• White Sands National Park

 North Carolina 

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park

 North Dakota 

• Theodore Roosevelt 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

 Virginia 

• Shenandoah National Park

 Washington 

• Mount Rainier National Park
• North Cascades National Park
• Olympic National Park

 West Virginia 

• New River Gorge

 Wyoming 

• Grand Teton National Park
• Yellowstone National Park

American Samoa

• National Park of American Samoa

 United States Virgin Islands 

• Virgin Islands National Park