National parks in the United States offer some of the most beautiful and diverse natural wonders the country has to offer. They feature majestic mountains, wild natural formations, deserts, and lush forests. There are 63 national parks in the USA, and on this website, you’ll find a detailed guide for each one. I will also advise you on how to save on entrance fees and share additional interesting facts about the parks.
Table of Contents
- List of National Parks in the USA 2025
- Information About U.S. National Parks
- Entrance Fees for National Parks in the USA
- How Many National Parks Are There in the USA?
- What Are the Most Visited National Parks in the USA?
- What Is the Oldest National Park in the USA?
- What Is the Newest National Park in the USA?
List of National Parks in the USA 2025
The map of U.S. national parks includes all parks located in the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Two additional national parks are in unincorporated territories: the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. A colored dot next to the park’s name indicates the number of visitors in 2023. Green dots mark less visited parks, while red dots denote the most popular ones.
Information About U.S. National Parks
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Entrance Fees for National Parks in the USA
The entry conditions and fees for national parks vary. Some parks have free admission or only charge parking fees. Generally, entry fees are charged per vehicle, covering all occupants. The same applies to motorcycles, while fees per person are typically only collected for pedestrian entry into the park.
If you plan to visit three or more national parks within 12 months, it is worth purchasing the plastic card America the Beautiful Annual Pass for $80. The card grants free access to all U.S. national parks (and other locations) for 12 months without requiring additional payment at the parks.
Some national parks require entry reservations for specific dates during the peak season. Conditions vary by park, but the America the Beautiful pass does not cover these reservations.
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How Many National Parks Are There in the USA?
There are 63 national parks in the USA, 14 of which are listed as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, either in whole or as part of larger areas.At least one national park is located in 30 U.S. states. California has the most national parks (9), followed by Alaska (8).
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What Are the Most Visited National Parks in the USA?
In 2023, a total of 325.5 million people visited all U.S. national parks. Visitor records were broken in 20 parks.According to data from the National Park Service, the most visited parks were the Great Smoky Mountains (13,297,647 visitors), Grand Canyon (4,733,705), Zion (4,623,238), Yellowstone (4,501,382), and Rocky Mountain (4,115,837).
Conversely, the least visited parks were Gates of the Arctic (11,045 visitors), American Samoa (12,135), Lake Clark (16,728), Kobuk Valley (17,616), and Isle Royale (28,965).
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What Is the Oldest National Park in the USA?
The oldest national park in the USA—and the world—is Yellowstone, established on March 1, 1872. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the act to protect its unique geothermal features for future generations.The second-oldest national park in the USA is Sequoia, established on September 25, 1890. President Benjamin Harrison signed the law to protect the giant sequoias, particularly in the Giant Forest area.
The third-oldest park is Yosemite, founded on October 1, 1890. Its protection focuses on granite cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient sequoias.
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What Is the Newest National Park in the USA?
The newest national park in the USA is New River Gorge, designated on December 27, 2020. President Donald Trump signed the act to protect the gorge, renowned for its scenic beauty and opportunities for rafting and rock climbing.The second-newest park is Indiana Dunes, established on February 15, 2019, to protect unique sand dunes and diverse ecosystems along the Lake Michigan shoreline.
The third-newest park is Gateway Arch, which gained its status on February 22, 2018. The park honors its historical significance and symbolizes westward expansion in the United States.
US National Parks
- National Parks of the USA – Map, List and Annual Pass
- America the Beautiful Pass 2025 – How It Works, Cost & Parks
- Timed-Entry Reservation for US National Parks (2025 GUIDE)
Travel Guides to USA National Parks
Discussion (2)
Why isn’t the Ozark National Scenic Riverways listed?
@Lorri: Hi Lorri, this is a list of US National Parks. So forests, rivers and other such places are not there. :-)