National Parks of the USA: Map, List, Pass, and Visitor Statistics

by Petr Novák, ? The accuracy of the information provided in this article was last verified on this date. If you spot any errors, please let us know in the comments. Thank you. :-) Updated 06/16/2023 National Parks

National parks in the United States of America hide some of the best the country has to offer. Majestic mountains, wild natural formations, deserts and green forests. There are dozens of national parks in America, and it would take months to travel through them.

This map of US National Parks includes all those located in the continental United States and Alaska. The colored dot next to the name indicates the number of visitors in 2021.

List of National Parks in the U.S. 2023

National Park Entrance Fees in the USA

Entrance fees differ from one national park to another. In some locations, only parking fees are levied instead of admission charges. For fee-based parks, the most prevalent entrance fee covers the entire vehicle crew. The same applies to motorcycles. Payment is only required per person when entering the park by foot.

If you plan on visiting more than one national park, it’s worth purchasing the America the Beautiful Annual Pass at $80. This pass offers you free admission to all USA national parks for 12 months from the date of purchase.

USA National Parks Information

1. How Many National Parks Are There in the USA?

   There are a total of 63 national parks across the USA, 14 of which are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. National parks are located in 30 USA states and two unincorporated areas. California, with 9, and Alaska, with 8, have the most national parks.

2. What Are the Most Visited National Parks in the USA?

   In 2022, the most visited national parks were the Great Smoky Mountains (12,937,633 visitors), Grand Canyon (4,732,101 visitors), Zion (4,692,417 visitors), Rocky Mountain (4,300,424 visitors), and Acadia (3,970,260 visitors).

3. What Is the Oldest National Park in the USA?

   Yellowstone is not only the oldest national park in the USA, but also in the world. It was established on March 1, 1872. The second oldest national park is Sequoia, established on September 25, 1890, and the third oldest is Kings Canyon, established on October 1, 1890.

4. What Is the Youngest National Park in the USA?

   Eight national parks were established after 2000, the most recent of which is New River Gorge, designated in 2020. The second most recent is White Sands and the third most recent is Indiana Dunes, both established in 2019.