U.S. National Parks List by State ... plus, Free Printable Checklist

Looking for a U.S. National Parks List by State? Then you've come to the right place! This comprehensive guide includes all 63 National Parks (like the Grand Canyon), plus the 429 Park Units (Monuments, Historic Sites, and more) that you'll find in each state. You'll find every park in every state listed here, plus two FREE PDF printable checklists and a map. Use this helpful guide to start planning your bucket list trip today!

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When most people think of America's National Parks, they tend to picture iconic destinations ... like Yosemite or the Grand Canyon. But there's so much more to the National Park System than those 63 major parks!

Did you know that there are actually 429 individual park units, and that they cover over 85 million acres in all 50 states, plus the District of Columbia and U.S. territories?

The first major park I ever visited was Mammoth Cave. We spent most of the trip underground, which was pretty of wild! I'm still amazed my husband agreed to go, because there were so many bats (he's not a fan). It was such an awesome experience, and I've been obsessed ever since!

These days, my goal is to visit as many parks as possible. Whenever I travel, I check to see if there are parks nearby, and I always carry my parks passport so I can collect stamps.

Are you as obsessed with visiting these parks as I am? Then this National Parks list is for you!

U.S. National Parks List

This massive National Parks list includes all 429 parks that fall under the jurisdiction of the National Park Service (NPS), from the 63 major parks to the hundreds of battlefields, historic sites, trails, and more.

Not every park is created equal ... some receive millions of visitors per year, and others are so remote they only get a few thousand. But no matter how big, small, popular, or off-the-beaten-path these parks are, they're all considered National Parks. And they're the best places learn about U.S. history, culture, people, and natural lands!

Working on this list was sooo fun! I discovered a tons of parks I'd never even heard of (I'm looking at you Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park), and I learned that I cannot spell Massachusetts to save my soul ... thank you spell check!

I'm pretty sure you're going to enjoy reading this list just as much as I loved creating it. Here are a few things to keep in mind before you start reading:

• There are 429 units in the NPS, and each one is considered a National Park. For the purposes of this article, I've listed each state's major parks first (like Yellowstone, Smoky Mountains, etc.), followed by the different units, like battlefields, parkways, trails, etc. You can read more about the differences between park units here.
• Some parks cross state boundaries (like Death Valley and Yellowstone). So even though they're only counted by the NPS as one park, you may see them listed more than once.
• In addition to the 429 parks, some states also have Related Areas. These areas preserve important parts of the U.S.' natural and cultural heritage, however the majority are not units of the NPS. I've listed many of these areas below, however they are not included on the printable checklists.
• The U.S. has three other land management agencies (read more about them here). The Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) manages 89 million acres of land; the National Forest Service (NFS) manages an additional 193 million acres; and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) manages an astounding 245 million acres of public lands!
• If you don’t see a park listed, it probably falls under another agency’s control. For example, the Wave in Arizona is managed by the BLM and El Yunque National Forest is managed by the NFS. I would have loved to include everything here, but that would have been practically impossible. The BLM alone manages one in every 10 acres of land in the United States (including hundreds of wilderness areas, national monuments, and other protected areas), which is pretty mind blowing! When planning a visit the parks below, make sure to check the other agencies for nearby landmarks ... you'll find many well-known (and lesser known) treasures.
• For parks that I've visited, I've added a red X next to the park's name. And for parks I've written about, you'll find a link to the story so you can read more.
• I've included fun facts about a few of the parks, plus some photos to inspire your trip planning!
• Please leave a comment when you're done reading. I'd love to hear stories about your favorite parks!

Ready to get started? Coming up below, you'll find an interactive index. That's followed by the list of National Parks by state, and then a map of the major parks, the free printable list of National Parks, and finally, FAQs / tips to help plan your visit!

List of National Parks by State

Are you ready to start exploring? I've broken down the parks by state below. You'll see four types listed:

• National Parks - One of the 63 major National Parks in the U.S. ... such as Yosemite or the Grand Canyon.
• Park Units - The other parks that make up the 429 National Parks in the U.S. These parks are generally smaller than the major parks, but still just as amazing and just as important as the major ones ... don't sleep on these sites!
• Related Areas - These areas are linked in importance to parks above, and they preserve important segments of the U.S.' natural and cultural heritage. However, the majority of these areas are managed by other government / non-government agencies or landowners, and they're not considered National Parks / Park Units. I've included many of these areas below, however they are not included on the checklists.
• Authorized Areas - Future parks that have been authorized, but have not been established yet. Typically, these areas are awaiting land acquisition or a Commemorative Works Act review before they can open.

To read the whole National Parks list, just keep scrolling! OR use the links below to jump to the section you're looking for:

Alabama | Alaska | American Samoa | Arizona | Arkansas | California | Colorado | Connecticut | Delaware | District of Columbia | Florida | Georgia | Guam | Hawaii | Idaho | Illinois | Indiana | Iowa | Kansas | Kentucky | Louisiana | Maine | Maryland | Massachusetts | Michigan | Minnesota | Mississippi | Missouri | Montana | Nebraska | Nevada | New Hampshire | New Jersey | New Mexico | New York | North Carolina | North Dakota | Northern Mariana Islands | Ohio | Oklahoma | Oregon | Pennsylvania | Puerto Rico | Rhode Island | South Carolina | South Dakota | Tennessee | Texas | Utah | Vermont | Virgin Islands | Virginia | Washington | West Virginia | Wisconsin | Wyoming

Map of U.S. National Parks

JUMP to the interactive map.

Printable list of National Parks

JUMP to the National Parks checklist.

FAQs + Tips for Planning Your NP Trip

JUMP to the questions and tips.

Alabama

The state of Alabama is located in the Southern U.S.

Park Units

Alabama doesn't have a major National Park, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Birmingham Civil Rights National Monument ... One of a number of park units in Alabama (and throughout the U.S.) dedicated to civil rights history.
• Freedom Riders National Monument
• Horseshoe Bend National Military Park
• Little River Canyon National Preserve
• Natchez Trace Parkway
• Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
• Russell Cave National Monument ... Plan a visit to see one of the most complete records of prehistoric cultures in the Southeast!
• Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site
• Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site

Related Areas

• Muscle Shoals National Heritage Area
• Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail
• Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Alabama's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Alaska

The state of Alaska is located in the northwest extremity of North America.

National Parks

Alaska has eight National Parks, the second most of any U.S. state (California is #1).

• Denali National Park and Preserve X
• Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve ... This remote park has no roads, trails, or visitor services!
• Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
• Katmai National Park and Preserve
• Kenai Fjords National Park X
• Kobuk Valley National Park
• Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
• Wrangell - St. Elias National Park and Preserve ... The largest National Park!

Park Units

• Alagnak Wild River
• Aniakchak National Monument and Preserve
• Bering Land Bridge National Preserve
• Cape Krusenstern National Monument
• Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park
• Noatak National Preserve
• Sitka National Historical Park X
• Yukon - Charley Rivers National Preserve

Related Areas

• Alaska Public Lands X
• Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area
• Iditarod National Historic Trail
• Iñupiat Heritage Center
• Kenai Mountains - Turnagain Arm National Heritage Area X

READ MORE about Alaska's parks. RETURN to list of states.

American Samoa

The U.S. Territory of American Samoa is located in the South Pacific Ocean.

National Park

• National Park of American Samoa ... This beautiful park is one of the most remote locations in the park system!

READ MORE about American Samoa's park. RETURN to list of states.

Arizona

The state of Arizona is located in the Southwestern U.S.

National Parks

Arizona has three National Parks:

• Grand Canyon National Park X ... This popular park opened in 1919 and celebrated its centennial year in 2019!
• Petrified Forest National Park X
• Saguaro National Park X

Park Units

• Canyon de Chelly National Monument
• Casa Grande Ruins National Monument
• Chiricahua National Monument ... Explore a wonderland of rocks at this unique park!
• Coronado National Memorial
• Fort Bowie National Historic Site
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area ... This massive park encompasses 1.25 million acres in two states.
• Hohokam Pima National Monument ... While this Monument isn't open to the public, you can learn more about the significance of Snaketown, a Hohokam village inhabited from about 300 AD to around 1200 AD, through artifacts displayed at Arizona State Museum in Tucson.
• Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site
• Lake Mead National Recreation Area
• Montezuma Castle National Monument
• Navajo National Monument
• Organ Pipe Cactus National Monument
• Pipe Spring National Monument
• Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument
• Tonto National Monument
• Tumacácori National Historical Park
• Tuzigoot National Monument
• Walnut Canyon National Monument
• Wupatki National Monument

Related Areas

• Arizona National Scenic Trail
• Grand Canyon - Parashant National Monument
• Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
• Old Spanish National Historic Trail ... Discover how traders moved their merchandise across six states on this trail!
• Santa Cruz Valley National Heritage Area
• Yuma Crossing National Heritage Area

READ MORE about Arizona's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Arkansas

The state of Arkansas is located in the Southern U.S.

National Park

Arkansas has one National Park:

• Hot Springs National Park - Learn about the natural curiosities that have been drawing people to these springs for centuries!

Park Units

• Arkansas Post National Memorial
• Buffalo National River ... One of only a few free-flowing rivers (no damns) in the lower 48 states!
• Fort Smith National Historic Site
• Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site
• Pea Ridge National Military Park ... Home to one of the most pivotal Civil War battles.
• President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site

Related Areas

• Charleston National Commemorative Site
• Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area
• Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Arkansas' parks. RETURN to list of states.

California

The state of California is located on the West Coast of the U.S.

National Parks

California has nine National Parks, the most of any state!

• Channel Islands National Park
• Death Valley National Park
• Joshua Tree National Park
• Kings Canyon National Park ... This park sits side-by-side with Sequoia NP, creating one massive park!
• Lassen Volcanic National Park
• Pinnacles National Park
• Redwood National Park ... Home to the tallest trees on earth!
• Sequoia National Park
• Yosemite National Park X ... My favorite park, and the one I've visited the most!

Park Units

• Cabrillo National Monument
• Castle Mountains National Monument
• César E. Chávez National Monument ... Learn about one of the most important Latino leaders in U.S. history!
• Devils Postpile National Monument
• Eugene O'Neill National Historic Site
• Fort Point National Historic Site X
• Golden Gate National Recreation Area X ... Covering over 80,000 acres both north and south of the Golden Gate Bridge, this one the most visited park units in the U.S.! It includes many well-known sites, like Alcatraz Island, the Marin Headlands, and the Presidio of San Francisco.
• John Muir National Historic Site
• Lava Beds National Monument
• Manzanar National Historic Site ... One of 10 sites where Japanese American citizens were incarcerated during World War II.
• Mojave National Preserve
• Muir Woods National Monument
• Point Reyes National Seashore X
• Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial
• Rosie the Riveter / WWII Home Front National Historical Park
• San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park X
• Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area
• Tule Lake National Monument
• Whiskeytown National Recreation Area

Related Areas

• California National Historic Trail
• Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
• Old Spanish National Historic Trail
• Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
• Pony Express National Historic Trail
• Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta National Heritage Area

READ MORE about California's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Colorado

The state of Colorado is located in the Western U.S.

National Parks

Colorado has four National Parks:

• Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park ... Experience some of the steepest cliffs, oldest rock, and craggiest spires in North America!
• Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
• Mesa Verde National Park X ... Home to over 600 cliff dwellings. One of my favorite parks!
• Rocky Mountain National Park

Park Units

• Amache National Historic Site - This site was one of ten incarceration sites established during World War II to unjustly incarcerate Japanese Americans.
• Bent's Old Fort National Historic Site
• Colorado National Monument
• Curecanti National Recreation Area ... This park, concentrated on a series of three reservoirs, is known for outdoor activities like hiking, boating, camping, and bird watching!
• Dinosaur National Monument
• Florissant Fossil Beds National Monument
• Hovenweep National Monument
• Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site
• Yucca House National Monument

Related Areas

• Cache La Poudre River National Heritage Area
• California National Historic Trail
• Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
• Old Spanish National Historic Trail
• Pony Express National Historic Trail
• Sangre de Cristo National Heritage Area
• Santa Fe National Historic Trail
• South Park National Heritage Area

READ MORE about Colorado's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Connecticut

The state of Connecticut is located in New England on the east coast of the U.S.

Park Unit

Connecticut has no major National Park, however you'll find the following park unit there:

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail ... This 2,180+ mile long trail runs from Maine to Georgia! Want to learn more about the trail? Make sure to read A Walk in the Woods by Bill Bryson, a humor-filled accounting of this grueling hike.
• New England National Scenic Trail
• Weir Farm National Historical Park

Related Areas

• Eight Mile National Wild and Scenic River
• Farmington National Wild and Scenic River
• The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor
• Upper Housantonic Valley National Heritage Area
• Washington- Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail ... This trail follows the American Revolution's largest troop movement.
• Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Wild and Scenic Rivers

Authorized Area

• Coltsville National Historic Park ... This park is in development and is awaiting land acquisition. Read more about this future park.

READ MORE about Connecticut's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Delaware

The state of Delaware is located on the Mid-Atlantic coast of the U.S.

Park Unit

Delaware has no major National Parks, however you'll also find the following park unit there:

• First State National Historical Park X ... Did you know that Delaware was the first state to ratify the Constitution?

Related Areas

• Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
• Chesapeake Bay Watershed
• Washington - Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Delaware's parks. RETURN to list of states.

District of Columbia / Washington, D.C.

The District of Columbia, or Washington, D.C., is the capital of the United States.

Park Units

Washington, D.C. has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument
• Carter G. Woodson Home National Historic Site ... Visit the home of Dr. Woodson (the Father of Black History), a pivotal figure in documenting the history of Black Americans' lives and experiences.
• Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
• Constitution Gardens
• Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
• Ford's Theater National Historic Site X
• Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial X
• Frederick Douglass National Historic Site
• George Washington Memorial Parkway ...This scenic route links many sites with importance to American history (such as the Civil War Defenses of Washington) and preserves local wildlife habitats. 
• Korean War Veterans Memorial X
• LBJ Memorial Grove on the Potomac
• Lincoln Memorial X
• Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial X
• Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site
• National Capital Parks - East ... Discover 13 park sites, parkways and statues covering over 8,000 acres of historic, cultural, and recreational parklands stretching from Capitol Hill to the Maryland suburbs. Includes Anacostia Park, Capitol Hill Parks, Civil War Defenses of Washington, Fort Dupont Park, Kenilworth Park and Aquatic Gardens, and much more!
• National Mall and Memorial Parks X ... This iconic stretch of land runs from the United States Capitol to the Potomac River and includes many of the U.S.' most well-known monuments and memorials (including the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument), as well as nearby landmarks like the African American Civil War Memorial.
• Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site X
• Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
• President's Park (White House) ... Home and workplace of every U.S. president, except George Washington!
• Rock Creek Park - Escape the hustle and bustle of the Capitol in this 1,754 acre city park where you'll find plenty of nature to enjoy, plus historic sites like the Civil War Defenses of Washington.
• Theodore Roosevelt Island
• Thomas Jefferson Memorial X
• Vietnam Veterans Memorial X
• Washington Monument X ... A 555-foot marble obelisk honoring the U.S.' first president!
• World War I Memorial
• World War II Memorial X

Related Areas

• Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
• Chesapeake Bay Watershed
• Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
• Washington - Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail

Authorized Areas

Future parks that are in the process of completing their Commemorative Works Act reviews:

• Adams Memorial 
• Desert Storm / Desert Shield Memorial
• Global War on Terrorism Memorial

READ MORE about Washington D.C.'s parks. RETURN to list of states.

Florida

The state of Florida is the southernmost contiguous state in the U.S.

National Parks

Florida is home to three National Parks:

• Biscayne National Park
• Dry Tortugas National Park ... You can only visit this park by boat or seaplane, and apart from seven small islands, it's mostly open water!
• Everglades National Park ... Not just a National Park, the Everglades is also a World Heritage Site, International Biosphere Reserve, a Wetland of International Importance, and a specially protected area under the Cartagena Treaty.

Park Units

• Big Cypress National Preserve ... An enormous swamp that's home to the elusive Florida panther!
• Canaveral National Seashore
• Castillo de San Marcos National Monument
• De Soto National Memorial X
• Fort Caroline National Memorial ... This site marks the first battles between European nations for control of what's now the U.S.
• Fort Matanzas National Monument
• Gulf Islands National Seashore
• Timucuan Ecological and Historic Preserve ... One of the last unspoiled coastal wetlands on the Atlantic coast!

Related Areas

• Florida National Scenic Trail
• Gullah / Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor
• Wekiva Wild and Scenic River

READ MORE about Florida's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Georgia

The state of Georgia is located in the Southern U.S.

Park Units

Georgia has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Andersonville National Historic Site
• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area
• Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park X ... Union and Confederate forces fought here for control of the Gateway to the Deep South.
• Cumberland Island National Seashore
• Fort Frederica National Monument
• Fort Pulaski National Monument
• Jimmy Carter National Historical Park
• Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park
• Martin Luther King, Jr. National Historical Park ... Visit the birthplace of MLK!
• Ocmulgee Mounds National Historical Park

Related Areas

• Arabia Mountain National Heritage Area
• Augusta Canal National Heritage Area
• Gullah / Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor
• Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Georgia's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Guam

The U.S. territory of Guam is located in Micronesia in the western Pacific Ocean.

Park Unit

• War in the Pacific National Historical Park - Guam was invaded by Japan the day after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This remote park commemorates the soldiers and civilians who participated in the Pacific Theater of World War II, and it conserves the island's many natural, scenic, and historic treasures.

READ MORE about Guam's park. RETURN to list of states.

Hawaii

The state of Hawaii is group of islands located in the central Pacific Ocean.

National Parks

Hawaii has two National Parks:

• Haleakalā National Park
• Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park X ... This unique park, which protects some of the most unique landscape in the world, extends from sea level to the peak of Mauna Loa at 13,677 feet!

Park Units

• Honouliuli National Monument ... Although not yet open, this new park will tell the story of Hawaii's largest prison camp for Japanese American citizens (and those of European ancestry) who were arbitrarily suspected of disloyalty after the Pearl Harbor attacks.
• Kalaupapa National Historical Park
• Kaloko-Honokōhau National Historical Park X
• Pearl Harbor National Memorial X
• Pu`uhonua O Hōnaunau National Historical Park X
• Pu`ukoholā Heiau National Historic Site X

Related Areas

• Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Hawaii's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Idaho

The state of Idaho is located in the Northwestern U.S.

National Park

Idaho is home to one National Park:

• Yellowstone National Park ... Explore America's first National Park. Did you know it covers three states?

Park Units

• City of Rocks National Reserve ... This unique park is the perfect place for outdoor adventures, geologic marvels, and Old West discoveries!
• Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve
• Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
• Minidoka National Historic Site
• Nez Perce National Historical Park ... Learn about the stories and places of the resilient Nimiipuu (Nez Perce) people.

Related Areas

• California National Historic Trail
• Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
• Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail ... Discover how a group of 31 men, one woman, and a baby opened a window to the west!
• Oregon National Historic Trail
• Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail
• Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Idaho's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Illinois

The state of Illinois is located in the Midwest U.S..

Park Units

Illinois has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
• Lincoln Home National Historic Site
• New Philadelphia National Historic Site
• Pullman National Historial Park

Related Areas

• Abraham Lincoln National Heritage Area
• Chicago Portage National Historic Site
• Illinois & Michigan Canal National Heritage Corridor
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail ... Follow the Mormon pioneer's arduous journey from Illinois to the Great Salt Lake Valley in Utah.
• Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

Authorized Area

• Ronald Reagan Boyhood Home National Historic Site ... This future park is awaiting land acquisition.

READ MORE about Illinois' parks. RETURN to list of states.

Indiana

The state of Indiana is located in the Midwest U.S.

National Park

There is one National Park in Indiana:

• Indiana Dunes National Park X ... Climb the massive dunes, explore the wetlands, or simply fly a kite at this park located on Lake Michigan!

Park Units

• George Rogers Clark National Historical Park
• Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial

Related Areas

• Kennedy - King National Commemorative Site, Indiana
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Indiana's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Iowa

The state of Iowa is located in the Midwest U.S.

Park Units

Iowa has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Effigy Mounds National Monument ... Discover the meaning behind over 200 American Indian mounds preserved at this unique park.
• Herbert Hoover National Historic Site

Related Areas

• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
• America's Agricultural Heritage Partnership (Silos & Smokestacks National Heritage Area)

READ MORE about Iowa's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Kansas

The state of Kansas is located in the Midwest U.S.

Park Units

Kansas has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park
• Fort Larned National Historic Site
• Fort Scott National Historic Site
• Nicodemus National Historic Site ... After the Civil War, former slaves moved to the promised land of Kansas and settled in Nicodemus, the oldest and only remaining Black settlement west of the Mississippi.
• Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve ... Only 4% of the tallgrass prairie that once covered 170 million acres of North America remains, and most of it is found here!

Related Areas

• California National Historic Trail
• Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• Oregon National Historic Trail
• Pony Express National Historic Trail
• Quindaro Townsite, Kansas
• Santa Fe National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Kansas' parks. RETURN to list of states.

Kentucky

The state of Kentucky is located in the Southern U.S.

National Park

You'll find one National Park in Kentucky:

• Mammoth Cave National Park X ... Explore the world's longest cave system. And fun fact: this is the first NP I ever visited!

Park Units

• Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park ... Find out how Lincoln's early life on the frontier prepared him to lead the U.S. through the Civil War.
• Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area
• Camp Nelson National Monument
• Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
• Fort Donelson National Battlefield
• Mill Springs Battlefield National Monument

Related Areas

• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Kentucky's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Louisiana

The state of Louisiana is located in the Southern U.S.

Park Units

Louisiana has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there

• Cane River Creole National Historical Park ... Explore two of the U.S.' most intact Creole cotton plantations.
• Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve X ... This unique park encompasses six sites, including a battlefield, wetlands, cultural centers, and more!
• New Orleans Jazz National Historical Park X
• Poverty Point National Monument
• Vicksburg National Military Park

Related Areas

• Atchafalaya National Heritage Area
• Cane River National Heritage Area
• El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail
• Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area

READ MORE about Louisiana's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Maine

The state of Maine is located in New England in the northeastern U.S.

National Park

Maine is home to one National Park:

• Acadia National Park X ... This popular park has something for everyone: high peaks, over 158 miles of hiking trails, 16 stone bridges, and so much more!

Park Units

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument
• Saint Croix Island International Historic Site

Related Areas

• Maine Acadian Culture
• Roosevelt Campobello International Park ... Visit Franklin D. Roosevelt's summer home, go hiking, and explore the natural areas on this island!

READ MORE about Maine's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Maryland

The state of Maryland is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S.

Park Units

Maryland has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Antietam National Battlefield
• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Assateague Island National Seashore
• Catoctin Mountain Park
• Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park X
• Clara Barton National Historic Site
• Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine X ... Francis Scott Key was inspired to write "The Star-Spangled Banner" here.
• Fort Washington Park ... This fort was built to defend the river approach to Washington, D.C. and includes a number of historic sites, including Fort Foote Park, Harmony Hall, Oxon Cove Park and Oxon Hill Farm, and more.
• George Washington Memorial Parkway ... Follow this recreational route and discover numerous sites along the way, including the Civil War Defenses of Washington and Glen Echo Park.
• Greenbelt Park ... Camp, hike, or picnic in this urban oasis located in the Maryland suburbs. Take the scenic Baltimore-Washington Parkway to get there!
• Hampton National Historic Site ... Visit what was once the largest private home in America to learn about the family who lived there, as well as the enslaved African Americans, European indentured servants, and paid laborers who toiled for them.
• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park X
• Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad National Historical Park X ... Learn why Tubman risked her life to lead almost 70 enslaved people to lives of freedom.
• Monocacy National Battlefield
• Piscataway Park
• Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
• Thomas Stone National Historic Site ... Uncover the story of Thomas Stone, one of the 56 men to sign the Declaration of Independence!

Related Areas

• Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area
• Baltimore National Heritage Area X
• Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
• Chesapeake Bay Watershed
• Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area X
• Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail X
• Washington - Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Maryland's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Massachusetts

The state of Massachusetts is located in the New England region of the U.S.

Park Units

Massachusetts has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Adams National Historical Park
• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park ... Find out how Samuel Slater's cotton spinning mill launched America into the Age of Industry!
• Boston National Historical Park X
• Boston African American National Historic Site X
• Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
• Cape Cod National Seashore
• Frederick Law Olmsted National Historic Site ... Discover the story of the man who designed some of America's most famous parks!
• John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site
• Longfellow House - Washington's Headquarters National Historic Site ... Visit the site that was home to poet Henry W. Longfellow and the headquarters for General George Washington during the Siege of Boston!
• Lowell National Historical Park
• Minute Man National Historical Park
• New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park
• New England National Scenic Trail
• Salem Maritime National Historic Site
• Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site
• Springfield Armory National Historic Site

Related Areas

• Essex National Heritage Area
• Freedom's Way National Heritage Area
• John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
• Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Wild and Scenic Rivers
• Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord National Wild and Scenic River
• Taunton Wild and Scenic River
• The Last Green Valley National Heritage Corridor
• Upper Housantonic Valley National Heritage Area
• Washington - Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
• Westfield Wild and Scenic River

READ MORE about Massachusetts' parks. RETURN to list of states.

Michigan

The state of Michigan is located in the Midwest U.S.

National Park

There is one National Park in Michigan:

• Isle Royale National Park - This isolated, island park located in Lake Superior offers unlimited outdoor activities, including hiking, kayaking, scuba diving, and more!

Park Units

• Keweenaw National Historical Park
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore X ... The beauty of the Lake Superior will stun you!
• River Raisin National Battlefield Park
• Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore ... Let the magnificent dunes at this park take your breath away ... if the sight of them doesn't, the climb might!

Related Areas

• Father Marquette National Memorial
• Motor Cities National Heritage Area ... Learn more about automotive history!

READ MORE about Michigan's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Minnesota

The state of Minnesota is located in the Midwest.

National Park

Minnesota is home to one National Park:

• Voyageurs National Park ... A national park that's over 40% water!

Park Units

• Grand Portage National Monument
• Mississippi National River and Recreation Area ... Explore one of America's most important rivers in an urban setting!
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Pipestone National Monument ... Learn about Native American traditions of quarrying and pipe making at this unique park!
• Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

READ MORE about Minnesota's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Mississippi

The state of Mississippi is located in the Southern U.S.

Park Units

Mississippi has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site
• Emmett Till and Mamie Till-Mobley National Monument
• Gulf Islands National Seashore
• Medgar and Myrlie Evers Home National Monument
• Natchez National Historical Park
• Natchez Trace Parkway
• Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
• Shiloh National Military Park ... Visit the site of one of the Civil War's most bloody battles.
• Tupelo National Battlefield
• Vicksburg National Military Park

Related Areas

• Mississippi Delta National Heritage Area ... Visit the birthplace of rock 'n' roll, sites of civil rights importance, swamps, and so much more in this Heritage Area!
• Mississippi Gulf National Heritage Area
• Mississippi Hills National Heritage Area

READ MORE about Mississippi's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Missouri

The state of Missouri is located in the Midwest U.S.

National Park

Missouri has one National Park:

• Gateway Arch National Park X ... Learn about St. Louis' role in the Westward Expansion, plus ride up the Arch!

Park Units

• George Washington Carver National Monument
• Harry S Truman National Historic Site ... The Truman Library and Museum is a great companion to this site. Check out my 48 Hours in Kansas City article before you go for all the details!
• Ozark National Scenic Riverways ... Visit the first park to protect a river system!
• Ste. Geneviève National Historical Park
• Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site
• Wilson's Creek National Battlefield ... Visit the site of the first major Civil War battle fought west of the Mississippi River.

Related Areas

• California National Historic Trail
• Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• Oregon National Historic Trail
• Pony Express National Historic Trail
• Santa Fe National Historic Trail
• Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Missouri's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Montana

The state of Montana is located in the Northwestern U.S.

National Parks

Montana has two National Parks:

• Glacier National Park X ... A diverse landscape of pristine forests, alpine meadows, rugged mountains, and spectacular lakes awaits you at this breathtaking park!
• Yellowstone National Park

Park Units

• Big Hole National Battlefield
• Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area ... Immerse yourself in over 120,000 acres of the natural world in this expansive area!
• Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
• Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site
• Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument
• Nez Perce National Historical Park

Related Areas

• Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
• Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail ... Learn how a series of cataclysmic floods shaped the northwestern U.S. during the last Ice Age!
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Wyoming
• Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

READ MORE about Montana's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Nebraska

The state of Nebraska is located in the Great Plains / Midwestern U.S.

Park Units

Nebraska has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Agate Fossil Beds National Monument
• Homestead National Historical Park ... The Homestead Act of 1862 led millions of Americans to the frontier. Discover how that changed our nation and its lands forever.
• Missouri National Recreational River
• Niobrara National Scenic River
• Scotts Bluff National Monument ... This towering bluff has served as a landmark to Native Americans, emigrants, and modern travelers for hundred of years!

Related Areas

• California National Historic Trail
• Chimney Rock National Historic Site
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
• Oregon National Historic Trail
• Pony Express National Historic Trail
• Wolf River

READ MORE about Nebraska's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Nevada

The state of Nevada is located in the Western U.S.

National Parks

You'll find two National Parks in Nevada:

• Death Valley National Park ... The extreme landscape of this park spans two states!
• Great Basin National Park

Park Units

• Lake Mead National Recreation Area
• Tule Springs Fossil Beds National Monument ... Find the history of mammoths, lions, and camels preserved at this park!

Related Areas

• California National Historic Trail
• Great Basin National Heritage Route
• Old Spanish National Historic Trail
• Pony Express National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Nevada's parks. RETURN to list of states.

New Hampshire

The state of New Hampshire is located in New England.

Park Units

New Hampshire has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Saint-Gaudens National Historical Park ... Discover the home, studios and gardens of one of America’s greatest sculptors!

Related Areas

• Freedom's Way National Heritage Area
• Lamprey Wild and Scenic River
• Nashua, Squannacook, and Nissitissit Wild and Scenic Rivers

READ MORE about New Hampshire's parks. RETURN to list of states.

New Jersey

The state of New Jersey is located in the Mid-Atlantic region of the U.S.

Park Units

New Jersey has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area ... Paddle, angle, or hike your way through this beautiful natural landscape!
• Ellis Island, Part of the Statue of Liberty National Monument X
• Gateway National Recreation Area
• Great Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River
• Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River
• Morristown National Historical Park ... Visit a Revolutionary War encampment where Washington's army survived what was the coldest winter on record!
• Paterson Great Falls National Historical Park
• Thomas Edison National Historical Park ... Discover the laboratory where America’s greatest inventor changed our world forever!

Related Areas

• Crossroads of the American Revolution National Heritage Area
• Maurice Scenic and Recreational River
• Musconetcong National Wild and Scenic River
• New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve
• Washington - Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail

READ MORE about New Jersey's parks. RETURN to list of states.

New Mexico

The state of New Mexico is located in the Southwestern U.S.

National Parks

New Mexico has two National Parks:

• Carlsbad Caverns National Park X ... Explore more than 119 caves, plus above ground treasure, in this Chihuahuan Dessert gem!
• White Sands National Park X ... Read my comprehensive guide to White Sands National Park to learn more about his amazing park!

Park Units

• Aztec Ruins National Monument
• Bandelier National Monument X
• Capulin Volcano National Monument
• Chaco Culture National Historical Park
• El Malpais National Monument X
• El Morro National Monument
• Fort Union National Monument
• Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument
• Manhattan Project National Historical Park ... Learn more about the creation of the atomic bomb and how it helped end World War II.
• Pecos National Historical Park
• Petroglyph National Monument X ... Check out one of the largest petroglyph sites in North America!
• Salinas Pueblo Missions National Monument
• Valles Caldera National Preserve

Related Areas

• Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
• El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail ... Explore a Spanish colonial "royal road" that once stretched from New Mexico and Texas to Mexico City.
• Northern Rio Grande National Heritage Area
• Old Spanish National Historic Trail
• Santa Fe National Historic Trail

READ MORE about New Mexico's parks. RETURN to list of states.

New York

The state of New York is located in the Northeastern U.S.

Park Units

New York has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• African Burial Ground National Monument X ... Learn about the oldest and largest known excavated burial ground in North America for both free and enslaved Africans.
• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Castle Clinton National Monument X
• Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
• Ellis Island, Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument X ... Explore the stories of the 12 million immigrants who passed through Ellis Island on their way to a better life.
• Federal Hall National Memorial X
• Fire Island National Seashore
• Fort Stanwix National Monument
• Gateway National Recreation Area X
• General Grant National Monument X
• Governors Island National Monument X ... This unique island is the ideal escape from bustling NYC ... read my Governors Island Guide to learn how to spend the perfect day there!
• Hamilton Grange National Memorial X
• Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
• Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site X
• Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
• Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site
• Saratoga National Historical Park
• Statue of Liberty National Monument X ... This universal symbol of freedom and democracy should be on everyone's bucket list!
• Stonewall National Monument X ... The 1969 uprising here was a milestone in the fight for LGBT civil rights!
• Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site X
• Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
• Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River
• Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
• Women's Rights National Historical Park X

Related Areas

• Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
• Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership
• Chesapeake BayWatershed
• Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor
• Kate Mullany National Historic Site
• Lower East Side Tenement Museum National Historic Site X ... Visit the cramped living (and working) spaces of New York City immigrants and hear their stories.
• Maurice D. Hinchey Hudson River National Heritage Area
• Niagara Falls National Heritage Area X ... Read my guide to Winter in Niagara Falls for tips on planning your visit!
• Thomas Cole National Historic Site
• Washington - Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail

READ MORE about New York's parks. RETURN to list of states.

North Carolina

The state of North Carolina is located in the Southeastern U.S.

National Park

There is one National Park in North Carolina:

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park X

Park Units

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Blue Ridge Parkway X
• Cape Hatteras National Seashore
• Cape Lookout National Seashore
• Carl Sandburg Home National Historic Site
• Fort Raleigh National Historic Site ... Discover some of the first New World settlements, and the stories of the Native Americans, European Americans, and African Americans who lived there!
• Guilford Courthouse National Military Park
• Moores Creek National Battlefield
• Wright Brothers National Memorial ... Learn the story of the Wright brother's first successful airplane flights in 1903!

Related Areas

• Blue Ridge National Heritage Area ... Explore a unique landscape, traditional crafts, music, and agriculture, and Cherokee heritage at this park!
• Gullah / Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor
• Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
• Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail

READ MORE about New Carolina's parks. RETURN to list of states.

North Dakota

The state of North Dakota is located in the Midwest.

National Park

North Dakota has one National Park:

• Theodore Roosevelt National Park ... Learn how the rugged Dakota territory helped shape a Roosevelt's conservation policies!

Park Units

• Fort Union Trading Post National Historic Site
• Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site ... Discover the story of these villages where Native American tribes traveled to trade, socialize, and make war. They were eventually joined by foreign visitors who brought new diseases and cultures that led to the end of their traditional lifestyles.
• North Country National Scenic Trail

Related Areas

• International Peace Garden
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• Northern Plains National Heritage Area

READ MORE about New Dakota's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Northern Mariana Islands

The Northern Mariana Islands are a group of 14 islands located in the Northwestern Pacific Ocean. They're a commonwealth of the U.S.

Related Area

• American Memorial Park ... Explore a 133-acre park with beaches, sporting areas, walkways, and more, all honoring the American and Mariana people who were killed during World War II.

READ MORE about the Northern Mariana Islands' park. RETURN to list of states.

Ohio

The state of Ohio is located in the Midwestern U.S.

National Park

Ohio is home to one National Park:

• Cuyahoga Valley National Park ... Check out this beautiful natural refuge and walk a trail following the historic route of the Ohio & Erie Canal.

Park Units

• Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument ... Discover the story of a soldier who rose through military ranks to become one of the most respected leaders of his time, despite the overt racism he faced along the way!
• Dayton Aviation Heritage National Historical Park
• First Ladies National Historic Site ... A unique site honoring the lives and accomplishments of the U.S' First Ladies!
• Hopewell Culture National Historical Park
• James A. Garfield National Historic Site
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial
• William Howard Taft National Historic Site

Related Areas

• David Berger National Memorial
• Fallen Timbers Battlefield and Fort Miamis National Historic Site
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• National Aviation National Heritage Area
• Ohio and Erie National Heritage Canalway

READ MORE about Ohio's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Oklahoma

The state of Oklahoma is located in the South Central U.S.

Park Units

Oklahoma has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Chickasaw National Recreation Area
• Fort Smith National Historic Site
• Washita Battlefield National Historic Site

Related Areas

• Oklahoma City National Memorial X ... Visit this moving site to remember an act of domestic terrorism that changed America forever. Read my 48 Hours in Oklahoma City guide to learn more about this memorial.
• Santa Fe National Historic Trail
• Trail of Tears National Historic Trail ... Learn the story of the Cherokee people's forcible removal from their homelands in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee, and the devastating journey to Oklahoma that followed.

READ MORE about Oklahoma's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Oregon

The state of Oregon is located in the Pacific Northwest region of the U.S.

National Park

There is one National Park in Oregon:

• Crater Lake National Park ... Visit this awe-inspiring lake (the deepest in the U.S.) that was formed over 7,700 years ago!

Park Units

• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
• John Day Fossil Beds National Monument ... Discover an amazing record of plant and animal evolution, changing climate, and past ecosystems that span over 40 million years!
• Lewis & Clark National Historical Park
• Nez Perce National Historical Park
• Oregon Caves National Monument and Preserve

Related Areas

• California National Historic Trail
• Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail
• Oregon National Historic Trail ... Learn about the promise of new beginning that inspired a wagon train of nearly 1,000 people to head West, risking everything in the process.
• Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail

READ MORE about Oregon's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Pennsylvania

The state of Pennsylvania is located in the Northeastern U.S.

Park Units

Pennsylvania has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Allegheny Portage Railroad National Historic Site
• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area
• Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site ... Poe struggled with bad luck, personal demons, and his wife's illness, yet this was the home where he was at his happiest and most productive.
• Eisenhower National Historic Site 
• First State National Historical Park
• Flight 93 National Memorial
• Fort Necessity National Battlefield
• Friendship Hill National Historic Site
• Gettysburg National Military Park X ... Visit the battlefield that was the inspiration for President Abraham Lincoln's iconic "Gettysburg Address".
• Hopewell Furnace National Historic Site X
• Independence National Historical Park X
• Johnstown Flood National Memorial
• Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Oil Region National Heritage Area ... Explore the site of the world's first successful commercial oil well!
• Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
• Rivers of Steel National Heritage Area
• Steamtown National Historic Site
• Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial
• Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River
• Valley Forge National Historical Park X

Related Areas

• Benjamin Franklin National Memorial X
• Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
• Chesapeake Bay Watershed
• Delaware & Lehigh National Heritage Corridor ... Explore five Pennsylvania counties filled with outdoor adventures and history!
• Gloria Dei Church National Historic Site X
• Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area
• Lackawanna Valley National Heritage Area
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• Schuylkill River Valley National Heritage Area X
• Southwestern Pennsylvania Industrial Heritage Route (Paths of Progress National Heritage Route)
• Susquehanna National Heritage Area
• Washington - Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
• White Clay Creek Wild and Scenic River

READ about Pennsylvania's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Puerto Rico

The Commonwealth of Puerto Rico is an unincorporated territory of U.S. located in the Caribbean Sea.

Park Unit

Puerto Rico has no major National Parks, however you'll find one National Historic Site there:

• San Juan National Historic Site X ... Read my guide to these Old San Juan Forts to learn more about this awesome park! 

P.S. While you're in PR, make sure to check out El Yunque National Forest, too. And for an overview of these two parks, plus the islands's numerous National Wildlife Refuges, check out my guide to National Parks in Puerto Rico. 

RETURN to list of states.

Rhode Island

The state of Rhode Island is located in the New England area of the U.S.

Park Units

Rhode Island has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Blackstone River Valley National Historical Park
• Roger Williams National Memorial ... Learn about the founder of Rhode Island, a champion for religious freedom!

Related Areas

• John H. Chafee Blackstone River Valley National Heritage Corridor
• Touro Synagogue National Historic Site
• Washington - Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
• Wood-Pawcatuck Watershed Wild and Scenic Rivers

READ MORE about Rhode Island's parks. RETURN to list of states.

South Carolina

The state of South Carolina is located in the Southeastern U.S.

National Park

South Carolina is home to one National Park:

• Congaree National Park ... Discover the largest intact expanse of old growth bottomland hardwood forest remaining in the southeastern U.S.!

Park Units

• Charles Pinckney National Historic Site
• Cowpens National Battlefield
• Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park X ... When the Confederates opened fire on this fort, it sparked the start of the Civil War.
• Kings Mountain National Military Park
• Ninety Six National Historic Site
• Reconstruction Era National Historical Park

Related Areas

• Gullah / Geechee Cultural Heritage Corridor ... Learn about one of America's most unique cultures, first shaped by captive Africans from West Africa and carried on by their descendants generations later!
• Historic Camden Revolutionary War Site
• Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
• South Carolina National Heritage Corridor

READ MORE about South Carolina's parks. RETURN to list of states.

South Dakota

The state of South Dakota is located in the Midwest U.S.

National Parks

You'll find two National Parks in South Dakota:

• Badlands National Park ... Explore this park's unique landscape which contains one of the world’s richest fossil beds!
• Wind Cave National Park

Park Units

• Jewel Cave National Monument ... Check out the third longest cave in the world!
• Minuteman Missile National Historic Site
• Missouri National Recreational River
• Mount Rushmore National Memorial

Related Area

• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail

READ MORE about South Dakota's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Tennessee

The state of Tennessee is located in the Southern U.S.

National Park

Tennessee has one National Park:

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park X ... Discover why millions of people visit the U.S.' most popular National Park every year!

Park Units

• Andrew Johnson National Historic Site
• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area ... Explore miles of scenic gorges and sandstone bluffs, plus other natural and historic features!
• Chickamauga & Chattanooga National Military Park X
• Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
• Fort Donelson National Battlefield ... Within days of the Confederate's surrender at this fort, Clarksville and Nashville would fall into Union hands, creating a path to victory for the Union.
• Manhattan Project National Historical Park
• Natchez Trace Parkway
• Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
• Obed Wild & Scenic River ... Explore the many outdoor recreational opportunities along this river, which looks strikingly similar to how it looked to the settlers who first strolled its banks in the late 1700s!
• Shiloh National Military Park
• Stones River National Battlefield

Related Areas

• Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
• Parkers Crossroads Battlefield
• Tennessee Civil War National Heritage Area
• Trail of Tears National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Tennessee's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Texas

The state of Texas is located in the South Central U.S.

National Parks

There are two National Parks in Texas:

• Big Bend National Park X ... Explore a solitary mountain range surrounded by a weather-beaten dessert here!
• Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Park Units

• Alibates Flint Quarries National Monument X
• Amistad National Recreation Area ... Discover a huge variety of plant and animal life at the U.S. portion of the International Amistad Reservoir!
• Big Thicket National Preserve
• Chamizal National Memorial
• Fort Davis National Historic Site X
• Lake Meredith National Recreation Area X
• Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park ... Learn more about the 36th President and visit his beloved LBJ Ranch!
• Padre Island National Seashore
• Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park X
• Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River
• San Antonio Missions National Historical Park X
• Waco Mammoth National Monument X ... Check out the nation's first and only recorded evidence of a nursery herd of ice age Columbian mammoths!

Related Areas

• El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail
• El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail

Authorized Area

• Blackwell School National Historic Site - This site is awaiting acquisition of sufficient property to make a manageable unit. Blackwell served as a segregated school for Mexican American students from 1909 to 1969. Read more about the Historic Site.

READ my guide to Texas National Parks to learn more. RETURN to list of states.

Utah

The state of Utah is located in the Western U.S.

National Parks

Utah is home to five National Parks:

• Arches National Park ... With over 2,000 natural stone arches (plus other natural formations), the landscape of this park is like no other!
• Bryce Canyon National Park
• Canyonlands National Park ... Visit a wild area of canyons and buttes carved by the Colorado River!
• Capitol Reef National Park
• Zion National Park

Park Units

• Cedar Breaks National Monument
• Dinosaur National Monument ... Check out dinosaur remains, petroglyphs, and more at this exciting park!
• Glen Canyon National Recreation Area
• Golden Spike National Historical Park ... Visit the location where the last spike went into the U.S.' first transcontinental railroad!
• Hovenweep National Monument
• Natural Bridges National Monument
• Rainbow Bridge National Monument
• Timpanogos Cave National Monument

Related Areas

• California National Historic Trail
• Great Basin National Heritage Route
• Mormon Pioneer National Heritage Area
• Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
• Old Spanish National Historic Trail
• Pony Express National Historic Trail ... Can you imagine receiving your mail by horse? Visit the trail that was once that fastest means of east-west communication!

READ MORE about Utah's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Vermont

The state of Vermont is located in New England.

Park Units

Vermont has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller National Historical Park ... This park is a haven for winter activities!
• North Country National Scenic Trail

Related Areas

• Champlain Valley National Heritage Partnership
• Missisquoi and Trout National Wild and Scenic River

READ MORE about Vermont's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Virgin Islands

The Virgin Islands are a territory of the U.S. located in the Caribbean.

National Park

There is one National Park in the Virgin Islands:

• Virgin Islands National Park ... Hike to sugar plantation ruins, view ancient petroglyphs, or snorkel corals reefs at this one-of-a-kind park!

Park Units

• Buck Island Reef National Monument
• Christiansted National Historic Site ... Explore 18th century buildings at this unique urban park!
• Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
• Virgin Islands Coral Reef National Monument

READ MORE about the Virgin Island's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Virginia

The state of Virginia is located in the Southern U.S.

National Park

Virginia has one National Park:

• Shenandoah National Park ... Find a natural wonderland of waterfalls, beautiful views, quiet woods, and more at this stunning park!

Park Units

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Appomattox Court House National Historical Park
• Arlington House, The Robert E. Lee Memorial
• Assateague Island National Seashore
• Blue Ridge Parkway
• Booker T. Washington National Monument ... Explore the life of this influential American who was born a slave but became an adviser, author, and orator after the Civil War.
• Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park
• Colonial National Historical Park ... Learn more about the first permanent English settlement in North America. You'll find many interesting places to explore here, including Cape Henry Memorial and Historic Jamestowne.
• Cumberland Gap National Historical Park
• Fort Monroe National Monument
• Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park
• George Washington Memorial Parkway ... This scenic route links many important sites, include the Civil War Defenses of Washington and Great Falls Park.
• George Washington Birthplace National Monument
• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park X
• Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site
• Manassas National Battlefield Park
• Petersburg National Battlefield
• Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail ... Explore this historic corridor by foot, bicycle, horse, or boat!
• Prince William Forest Park
• Richmond National Battlefield Park
• Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts ... Visit the only national park dedicated to presenting the performing arts!
• Yorktown Battlefield, Part of Colonial National Historical Park

Related Areas

• Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
• Chesapeake Bay Watershed
• Green Springs National Historic Landmark District
• Jamestown National Historic Site
• Journey Through Hallowed Ground National Heritage Area
• Natural Bridge State Park
• Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
• Red Hill Patrick Henry National Memorial
• Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District
• Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
• Washington - Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail

READ MORE about Virginia's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Washington

The state of Washington is located in the Pacific Northwest of the U.S.

National Parks

There are three National Parks in Washington:

• Mount Rainier National Park ... Visit this active volcano to discover the most glaciated peak in the U.S., wildflower meadows, ancient forests, wildlife, and more!
• North Cascades National Park
• Olympic National Park ... This diverse park covers almost a million acres of distinct ecosystems, including glacier-capped mountains, temperate rain forests, and wild coastline!

Park Units

• Ebey's Landing National Historical Reserve
• Fort Vancouver National Historic Site
• Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park ... Learn more about the gold rush and how Seattle grew into an important Pacific Northwest city at this park!
• Lake Chelan National Recreation Area
• Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area
• Lewis & Clark National Historical Park
• Manhattan Project National Historical Park ... Discover the people, events, science, and engineering behind the creation of the atomic bomb.
• Minidoka National Historic Site
• Nez Perce National Historical Park
• Ross Lake National Recreation Area
• San Juan Island National Historical Park ... In 1859, the U.S. and Great Britain almost went to war here over the death of a pig!
• Whitman Mission National Historic Site

Related Areas

• Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• Maritime Washington National Heritage Area
• Mountains to Sound Greenway National Heritage Area
• Oregon National Historic Trail
• Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
• Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail
• Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience

READ MORE about Washington's parks. RETURN to list of states.

West Virginia

The state of West Virginia is located in the Southern U.S.

National Park

You'll find one National Park in West Virginia:

• New River Gorge National Park and Preserve ... Discover this park's beautiful, deep canyons carved by a wild whitewater river!

Park Units

• Appalachian National Scenic Trail
• Bluestone National Scenic River
• Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park
• Gauley River National Recreation Area
• Harpers Ferry National Historical Park X ... Step into the past in this quaint, historic community featuring picturesque streets, museums, hiking trails, battlefields, and more.

Related Areas

• Appalachian Forest National Heritage Area
• Chesapeake Bay Watershed
• Lewis & Clark National Historic Trail
• National Coal National Heritage Area ... Explore the history of a region shaped by the discovery of coal deposits.
• Wheeling National Heritage Area ... Discover the birthplace of the state of West Virginia during the Civil War.

Wisconsin

The state of Wisconsin is located in the Midwest U.S.

Park Units

Wisconsin has no major National Parks, however you'll find the following park units there:

• Apostle Islands National Lakeshore ... Go island hopping at this beautiful park which features a bevy of outdoor activities!
• Ice Age National Scenic Trail ... Trace the edge of a glacier on this nearly 1,200 mile trail!
• North Country National Scenic Trail
• Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway

Related Area

• Ice Age National Scientific Reserve

READ MORE about Wisconsin's parks. RETURN to list of states.

Wyoming

The state of Wyoming is located in the Western U.S.

National Parks

Wyoming is home to two National Parks:

• Grand Teton National Park ... Explore a vast array of wildlife, pristine lakes, and alpine terrain at this magnificent park!
• Yellowstone National Park

Park Units

• Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area
• Devils Tower National Monument ... Visit this unique geologic feature (one of the best crack climbing spots in North America) to learn why it's considered sacred to Northern Plains Indians.
• Fort Laramie National Historic Site
• Fossil Butte National Monument ... Check out a huge variety of fossilized fish, insects, plants, reptiles, birds, and mammals in what was once a subtropical landscape!

Related Areas

• California National Historic Trail
• Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
• Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
• Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail
• Oregon National Historic Trail
• Pony Express National Historic Trail
• Snake River Headwaters Wild and Scenic River

READ MORE about Wyoming's parks. RETURN to list of states.

U.S. National Parks Map

Looking for a map of the parks? I created a Google map for you with the 63 National Parks plotted. Use this link to open the map on your phone or computer, then start planning the ultimate road trip!

You can also purchase interactive maps to track your travels. I LOVE this push pin map, and this scratch off map is pretty cool, too!

National Parks Checklist

Are you ready to start checking parks off your bucket list? Then this printable National Parks checklist is for you!

Click anywhere on the images below to download the free PDF list of National Parks and monuments. There are two: one with just the 63 major parks (page one is by state, and page two is an alphabetical list); and one with each of the 429 park units.

Tip: For some reason, the checkboxes are not showing up when viewing these PDFs in Google Drive. However, they should be there once you download the files ... let me know if you have any issues!

FAQs about the Parks

Want to learn more about the park system? Check out a few of the most frequently asked questions (FAQs) about the parks:

Tips for Planning a Visit

Every park is unique, but here are some tips for planning a successful NP visit:

• Give yourself plenty of time. There is so much to do, see, and learn in these amazing parks. You'll probably want to spend more time than you thought you would.
• Read as much as you can about the park before your visit. Of course, you need to find the best things to do, but you also need learn if the park has any restrictions. Some parks are only open certain hours, some you need a permit to visit or hike certain areas, etc.
• Dress appropriately. The NPS has a huge range of parks, from totally urban to completely remote. What you wear will vary from park to park, but at a minimum, you'll want to pack comfortable shoes and sunblock.
• Follow the rules. Our National Parks are awe-inspiring. They can also hold fragile environments and/or be dangerous. Always stay behind all fences, follow all posted rules, and keep a healthy distance from wild animals. No pic is worth destroying something priceless for, or worse, getting injured for.
• Know your limits. If the extent of your normal activity is an evening walk around the block, an 8-hour, strenuous hike might not be a great idea.
• Avoid the crowds. Summer is generally peak season, and the crowds can be unpleasantly over-the-top at the most popular parks. If possible, plan your trip slightly off season to avoid the throngs of people.
• Seek out smaller parks. It's definitely fun to check those big, noteworthy parks off your list. But there's no reason to travel thousands of miles to visit a park. There might be one in your backyard that's just as worthy of a trip!
• Check out the Junior Ranger Programs. If you have kids, ask about the park's Junior Ranger Program. Your kids will love the fun activities, and they may even be able to collect a special badge.
• Purchase an America the Beautiful Pass. Not all parks charge an entrance fee, however admission fees can add up fast. If you plan to visit multiple parks in one year, make sure to get an American the Beautiful Pass. It will pay for itself quickly, especially if you visit a number of the major parks.
• Get a passport. A National Parks Passport is the perfect way to collect free stamps in every park you visit. It's actually kind of addictive once you start, and you'll find yourself searching for parks whenever you travel. There is also a Junior Passport, Collector's Edition, and an Explorer's Edition. (Tip: these books are less expensive when purchased at the parks.)

Want more information on the parks? I love this guide from Moon, which is bursting with info on the major parks. And this amazing NatGeo book covers over 400 parks (including monuments, battlefields, etc.).

Yay ... if you made it to the end of this National Parks list, you definitely deserve a cookie!

I hope you enjoyed reading about the diverse National Park System and that this guide is useful as you explore the U.S.' greatest parks.

Which of the parks have you visited? I'd love to hear your stories!