National parks are a great way to explore the natural beauty of the United States. With over 400 National Parks and monuments, the United States is home to some of the most spectacular scenery in the world. But which states have the most national parks?
The answer depends on how you define “most.” The National Park Service (NPS) recognizes more than 400 sites in the United States, but some of those sites are shared between states and some are part of a larger park system. To get a better idea of which states have the highest concentration of national parks, we’ve narrowed it down to the top ten states with the most national parks.
1. Alaska
Alaska is home to the most national parks of any state in the country. There are eight national parks in Alaska, including Denali National Park, Glacier Bay National Park, and Katmai National Park. In addition to these eight parks, Alaska also has seventeen national monuments, two national preserves, twelve national wildlife refuges, and one national park system unit.
2. California
California has seven national parks including Yosemite National Park, Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park, and Joshua Tree National Park. In addition to these seven parks, California also has nineteen national monuments, two national preserves, and one national park system unit.
3. Utah
Utah is home to five national parks, including Arches National Park, Canyonlands National Park, and Zion National Park. In addition to these five parks, Utah also has nine national monuments, one national preserve, and one national park system unit.
4. Arizona
Arizona is home to four national parks, including Grand Canyon National Park, Petrified Forest National Park, and Saguaro National Park. In addition to these four parks, Arizona also has thirteen national monuments, two national preserves, and one national park system unit.
5. Colorado
Colorado has four national parks including Rocky Mountain National Park, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park, and Great Sand Dunes National Park. In addition to these four parks, Colorado also has eight national monuments, one national forest, and one national park system unit.
6. Wyoming
Wyoming is home to three national parks, including Yellowstone National Park, Grand Teton National Park, and Devils Tower National Monument. In addition to these three parks, Wyoming also has seven national monuments, one national preserve, and one national park system unit.
7. Oregon
Oregon is home to three national parks including Crater Lake National Park, John Day Fossil Beds National Monument, and Oregon Caves National Monument. In addition to these three parks, Oregon also has nine national monuments, two national preserves, and one national park system unit.
8. Washington
Washington State has two national parks, including Mount Rainier National Park and North Cascades National Park. In addition to these two parks, Washington also has sixteen national monuments, one national preserve, and one national park system unit.
9. Montana
Montana is home to two national parks, including Glacier National Park and Yellowstone National Park. In addition to these two parks, Montana also has eight national monuments, two national preserves, and one national park system unit.
10. New Mexico
New Mexico is home to two national parks, including Carlsbad Caverns National Park and White Sands National Monument. In addition to these two parks, New Mexico also has nine national monuments, one national preserve, and one national park system unit.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: How many national parks are there in the United States?
A: The National Park Service (NPS) recognizes more than 400 sites in the United States.
Q: What states have the most national parks?
A: Alaska has the most national parks of any state in the country, with eight parks, seventeen monuments, two preserves, twelve wildlife refuges, and one park system unit. California has the second most with seven parks, nineteen monuments, two preserves, and one park system unit.
Q: What is the largest national park in the United States?
A: The largest national park in the United States is Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve in Alaska, which covers an area of 13.2 million acres.
Q: What is the smallest national park in the United States?
A: The smallest national park in the United States is Thaddeus Kosciusko National Memorial in Pennsylvania, which covers an area of 0.02 acres.
Q: How many national monuments are there in the United States?
A: There are currently 88 national monuments in the United States.
Q: What is the difference between a national park and a national monument?
A: The main difference between a national park and a national monument is that national parks are larger and have more recreational activities, while national monuments are smaller and are typically used to protect a specific area or feature.
Q: What is the oldest national park in the United States?
A: The oldest national park in the United States is Yellowstone National Park, which was established in 1872.
Q: How many national seashores are there in the United States?
A: There are currently 11 national seashores in the United States.
Q: What is the difference between a national park and a national seashore?
A: A national park is a protected area of land designated by the federal government for its natural beauty, while a national seashore is a protected area of coastline designated by the federal government for its natural beauty.
Q: How many national forests are there in the United States?
A: There are currently 154 national forests in the United States.
Q: What is the difference between a national park and a national forest?
A: A national park is an area of land designated by the federal government for its natural beauty, while a national forest is an area of land designated by the federal government for timber production and other uses.
Q: What is the difference between a national park and a national wildlife refuge?
A: A national park is an area of land designated by the federal government for its natural beauty, while a national wildlife refuge is an area of land designated by the federal government for the protection and management of wildlife.
Q: How many national trails are there in the United States?
A: There are currently 11 national trails in the United States.
Q: What is the difference between a national park and a national trail?
A: A national park is an area of land designated by the federal government for its natural beauty, while a national trail is a designated route through a national park or other protected area.