There are 63 officially designated national parks in the United States. These 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 as a whole encompasses 433 units, which include other types of protected areas such as national monuments, battlefields, historic sites, and recreation areas
. The 63 national parks are spread across 30 states and 2 U.S. territories, with California having the most (9), followed by Alaska (8), Utah (5), and Colorado (4)
. The newest national parks include New River Gorge National Park (established in 2020), White Sands National Park (upgraded in 2019), and Indiana Dunes National Park (renamed in 2019)
. In summary:
- Total number of national parks in the U.S.: 63
- Total National Park System units (including all types): 433
- Number of states with national parks: 30 plus 2 territories
- State with the most national parks: California (9)
