National Parks in the United States: Difference between revisions
Truthseeker (talk | contribs) Created page with "{{Infobox US-topic | topic = National Parks of the United States | image = Yosemite_National_Park.jpg | caption = Yosemite National Park in California | category = U.S. National Park System }} The United States is home to some of the most diverse and breathtaking natural landscapes in the world, many of which are protected under the **National Park System**. As of today, there are **63 official national parks**, managed by the National Park Service (NPS), an agen..." |
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Revision as of 13:06, 13 July 2025
Template:Infobox US-topic The United States is home to some of the most diverse and breathtaking natural landscapes in the world, many of which are protected under the **National Park System**. As of today, there are **63 official national parks**, managed by the National Park Service (NPS), an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
Purpose and Mission
National Parks are established to:
- Preserve natural beauty, wildlife, and ecosystems
- Protect historical and cultural landmarks
- Provide public access for **education**, **recreation**, and **inspiration**
The mission of the National Park Service is to "**conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects... for the enjoyment of future generations.**"
History
- The first national park in the world, Yellowstone National Park, was created in **1872**
- The **National Park Service** was established in **1916**
- Over time, the system has expanded to include parks, monuments, battlefields, historic sites, and more
Most Visited National Parks
Some of the most visited parks in the U.S. include:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park – Tennessee/North Carolina
- Grand Canyon National Park – Arizona
- Zion National Park – Utah
- Rocky Mountain National Park – Colorado
- Yosemite National Park – California
Categories of National Park Units
While “National Parks” refer to 63 specially designated parks, the broader system includes over **400 protected areas**, such as:
- National Monuments
- National Seashores
- National Historic Sites
- National Battlefields
- National Preserves
Fun Facts
- The largest national park is **Wrangell–St. Elias** in Alaska
- The smallest is **Gateway Arch National Park** in Missouri
- Over **300 million people** visit U.S. national parks each year
List of U.S. National Parks
A few examples of iconic national parks:
- Yellowstone National Park – Wyoming, Montana, Idaho
- Grand Canyon National Park – Arizona
- Yosemite National Park – California
- Acadia National Park – Maine
- Everglades National Park – Florida
- Denali National Park – Alaska
➡️ See: List of National Parks of the United States for the full breakdown