National Parks of the USA – Map, List and Annual Pass

by Petr Novák, ? This article’s information was last verified on this date. If you notice any errors, let us know in the comments. Thank you! :-) Updated 01/12/2026 National Parks

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National parks in the United States represent some of the most stunning and diverse natural wonders the country has to offer. They feature majestic mountains, unique geological formations, vast deserts, and lush forests. There are 63 national parks in the USA, and this website provides a detailed guide for each one. This article also offers advice on how to save on entrance fees and shares fascinating facts about these protected areas.

Table of Contents

List of National Parks in the USA 2026
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 2026

The map of U.S. national parks includes all parks located in the continental United States, Alaska, and Hawaii. Two additional national parks are situated in unincorporated territories: the U.S. Virgin Islands and American Samoa. A colored dot next to the park’s name indicates the visitor volume in 2023. Green dots mark less visited parks, while red dots denote the most popular destinations.

Name	State	Established
Acadia National Park	Maine	February 26, 1919
American Samoa National Park	American Samoa	October 31, 1988
Arches National Park	Utah	November 12, 1971
Badlands National Park	South Dakota	November 10, 1978
Big Bend National Park	Texas	June 12, 1944
Biscayne National Park	Florida	June 28, 1980
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park	Colorado	October 21, 1999
Bryce Canyon National Park	Utah	February 25, 1928
Canyonlands National Park	Utah	September 12, 1964
Capitol Reef National Park	Utah	December 18, 1971
Carlsbad Caverns National Park	New Mexico	May 14, 1930
Channel Islands National Park	California	March 5, 1980
Congaree National Park	South Carolina	November 10, 2003
Crater Lake National Park	Oregon	May 22, 1902
Cuyahoga Valley National Park	Ohio	October 11, 2000
Death Valley National Park	California, Nevada	October 31, 1994
Denali National Park	Alaska	February 26, 1917
Dry Tortugas National Park	Florida	October 26, 1992
Everglades National Park	Florida	May 30, 1934
Gates of the Arctic National Park	Alaska	December 2, 1980
Gateway Arch National Park	Missouri	February 22, 2018
Glacier Bay National Park	Alaska	December 2, 1980
Glacier National Park	Montana	May 11, 1910
Grand Canyon National Park	Arizona	February 26, 1919
Grand Teton National Park	Wyoming	February 26, 1929
Great Basin National Park	Nevada	October 27, 1986
Great Sand Dunes National Park	Colorado	September 13, 2004
Great Smoky Mountains National Park	North Carolina, Tennessee	June 15, 1934
Guadalupe Mountains National Park	Texas	September 30, 1972
Haleakala National Park	Hawaii	August 1, 1916
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park	Hawaii	August 1, 1916
Hot Springs National Park	Arkansas	March 4, 1921
Indiana Dunes National Park	Indiana	February 15, 2019
Isle Royale National Park	Michigan	March 3, 1931
Joshua Tree National Park	California	October 31, 1994
Katmai National Park	Alaska	December 2, 1980
Kenai Fjords National Park	Alaska	December 2, 1980
Kings Canyon National Park	California	March 4, 1940
Kobuk Valley National Park	Alaska	December 2, 1980
Lake Clark National Park	Alaska	December 2, 1980
Lassen Volcanic National Park	California	August 9, 1916
Mammoth Cave National Park	Kentucky	July 1, 1941
Mesa Verde National Park	Colorado	June 29, 1906
Mount Rainier National Park	Washington	March 2, 1899
New River Gorge National Park	West Virginia	December 27, 2020
North Cascades National Park	Washington	October 2, 1968
Olympic National Park	Washington	June 29, 1938
Petrified Forest National Park	Arizona	December 9, 1962
Pinnacles National Park	California	January 10, 2013
Redwood National Park	California	October 2, 1968
Rocky Mountain National Park	Colorado	January 26, 1915
Saguaro National Park	Arizona	October 14, 1994
Sequoia National Park	California	September 25, 1890
Shenandoah National Park	Virginia	May 22, 1926
Theodore Roosevelt National Park	North Dakota	November 10, 1978
Virgin Islands National Park	U.S. Virgin Islands	August 2, 1956
Voyageurs National Park	Minnesota	January 8, 1971
White Sands National Park	New Mexico	December 20, 2019
Wind Cave National Park	South Dakota	January 9, 1903
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park	Alaska	December 2, 1980
Yellowstone National Park	Idaho, Montana, Wyoming	March 1, 1872
Yosemite National Park	California	October 1, 1890
Zion National Park	Utah	November 19, 1919

Information About U.S. National Parks

Entrance Fees for National Parks in the USA

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.

If you plan to visit three or more national parks within 12 months, purchasing the America the Beautiful Annual Pass for $250 (new price from Jan 1, 2026, US citizens still pay $80) is highly recommended. The card grants free access to all U.S. national parks (and other federal recreation sites) for a full year without requiring additional payment at the gates.

Some national parks require entry reservations for specific dates during the peak season. Conditions vary by park, but it is important to note that the America the Beautiful pass does not guarantee entry if a reservation is required.
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 protected areas.
At least one national park is located in 30 U.S. states. California boasts the most national parks (9), followed closely by Alaska (8).
What Are the Most Visited National Parks in the USA?

In 2023, a total of 325.5 million people visited U.S. national parks, with visitor records 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), National Park of American Samoa (12,135), Lake Clark (16,728), Kobuk Valley (17,616), and Isle Royale (28,965).
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 legislation 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 its spectacular granite cliffs, waterfalls, and ancient sequoia groves.
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 white-water rafting and rock climbing.
The second-newest park is White Sands, which was redesignated from a national monument to a national park on December 20, 2019, protecting the world’s largest gypsum dunefield.

The third-newest park is Indiana Dunes, established on February 15, 2019, to protect unique sand dunes and diverse ecosystems along the southern shore of Lake Michigan.