The Complete Guide to U.S. National Parks — All Parks by State

The United States is home to an extraordinary network of national parks, each offering its own unique landscapes, natural wonders, and cultural heritage. From towering mountains to desert canyons, from coastal islands to deep forests — U.S. national parks reflect the full diversity of America’s natural beauty.

Contents

Whether you’re planning a road trip, a bucket-list adventure, or simply exploring the idea of visiting these parks someday — this guide gives you a full listing of all officially designated national parks, by state and territory — along with helpful context about the system overall.

What Is a “National Park” — and How Many Are There?

The official count of national parks in the U.S. is 63.
Note: The U.S. federal lands system is larger than just “National Parks.” There are many different protected-area types — historic sites, monuments, recreation areas, preserves, seashores, and more — but this article focuses strictly on those sites with the “National Park” designation.
Because some parks span multiple states, a few states appear more than once in park listings — but each park is counted just once in the 63-park total.

Below is a complete list of all U.S. national parks, organized by state or territory.

Every U.S. National Park — Organized by State / Territory

Here’s a state-by-state breakdown of all U.S. national parks (as of 2025). States/territories with no national parks are excluded.

Alaska (8 Parks)

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

American Samoa (1)

National Park of American Samoa

Arizona (3)

Grand Canyon National Park
Petrified Forest National Park
Saguaro National Park

Arkansas (1)

Hot Springs National Park

California (9) — Highest number of parks per state

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 and State Parks
Sequoia National Park
Yosemite National Park

Colorado (4)

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

Florida (3)

Biscayne National Park
Dry Tortugas National Park
Everglades National Park

Hawaii (2)

Haleakalā National Park
Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park

Idaho (1)

Yellowstone National Park (also spans Wyoming and Montana)

Indiana (1)

Indiana Dunes National Park

Kentucky (1)

Mammoth Cave National Park

Maine (1)

Acadia National Park

Michigan (1)

Isle Royale National Park

Minnesota (1)

Voyageurs National Park

Missouri (1)

Gateway Arch National Park

Montana (2)

Glacier National Park
Yellowstone National Park (shared with Idaho and Wyoming)

Nevada (1)

Great Basin National Park

New Mexico (2)

Carlsbad Caverns National Park
White Sands National Park

North Carolina (1) (shared with Tennessee)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

North Dakota (1)

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Ohio (1)

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Oregon (1)

Crater Lake National Park

South Carolina (1)

Congaree National Park

South Dakota (2)

Badlands National Park
Wind Cave National Park

Tennessee (1) (shared with North Carolina)

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Texas (2)

Big Bend National Park
Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Utah (5)

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

Virginia (1)

Shenandoah National Park

Washington (3)

Mount Rainier National Park
North Cascades National Park
Olympic National Park

West Virginia (1)

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Wyoming (2)

Grand Teton National Park
Yellowstone National Park (shared with Idaho and Montana)

Why Some States Have More Parks — and Others None

Geography & Landscape Diversity: States like California, Alaska, Utah, and Colorado offer a great variety of landscapes — deserts, mountains, forests, glaciers — which makes them prime locations for multiple parks.
Historical and Conservation Priorities: Some parks preserve unique ecosystems, wildlife habitats, geological formations, or historic landscapes. States with multiple distinct natural zones often end up with more protected areas.
Remote & Uninhabited Land: Vast, sparsely populated states often offer large swaths of wilderness — ideal for national parks.
Population & Development Patterns: More densely populated states or states with heavy urban development may have fewer large tracts of preserved land suitable for national parks.

What Makes These Parks “National Parks”

A “National Park” is a special legal designation. Such parks typically:

Preserve natural landscapes, ecosystems, wildlife, or unique geological structures
Offer public access for recreation and education
Are managed by the federal government
Are protected from development or commercial exploitation

This distinguishes them from other public lands (like state parks, national forests, historic sites, or monuments), which may have different rules, purposes, or management agencies.

How to Use This List — Tips for Visitors

If you’re planning to explore U.S. national parks:

Plan by Region: Group visits by region to save travel time and costs.
Check Park Access & Seasons: Some parks are remote or have limited seasonal access.
Prepare for Diverse Landscapes: Parks cover many climates; pack accordingly.
Respect Rules & Environment: Stay on trails, follow regulations, respect wildlife, and avoid littering.
Consider Time & Logistics: Some parks require flights, ferry rides, or long drives.

Why the U.S. National Park System Stands Out

Diversity of Ecosystems: Mountains, deserts, forests, islands, wetlands, and more.
Preservation of Wilderness: Large parks protect vast wilderness areas.
Accessibility: Trails, campgrounds, and visitor centers make natural wonders accessible.
Cultural, Historical & Natural Heritage: Parks preserve ecosystems, geology, and human history.

What “All National Parks” Means

When people talk about “all national parks”:

“National Parks” refers to the 63 sites with that official title.
A larger number of protected areas exist, including monuments, seashores, preserves, and more — but this article focuses strictly on the official national parks.

Final Thoughts

Having a complete list of U.S. national parks by state is useful for:

Planning trips and road-trip itineraries
Understanding how natural heritage is distributed
Appreciating the scale of America’s efforts to preserve wilderness
Encouraging exploration and conservation awareness

Whether you aim to visit one park or make a lifetime project of seeing many — this guide provides a foundation for discovering some of the most beautiful and diverse natural places in the country.