National Parks in the United States
| National Parks of the United States | |
|---|---|
|
National Parks in the United States
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
Types of Protected Units
While “National Parks” refer to the 63 specially designated sites, 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