The United States has a total of 63 official national parks. These parks are congressionally designated protected areas managed by the National Park Service and are known for their natural beauty, unique geological features, and recreational opportunities
. In addition to these 63 national parks, the National Park System includes over 400 units in total, encompassing national monuments, historic sites, seashores, and other types of protected areas, making up 433 units overall
. Some key facts:
- The state with the most national parks is California, with nine
- Alaska has eight national parks, Utah five, and Colorado four
- The newest national park is New River Gorge National Park in West Virginia, established in 2020
- National parks are generally larger and more strictly protected than other types of units like national monuments or preserves
Thus, while there are 63 designated national parks, the broader National Park System includes many more protected areas across the country.
