The United States has 61 protected areas known as national parks that are operated by the National Park Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior. An act of the United States Congress must establish national parks. A bill creating the first national park, Yellowstone, was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872, followed by Mackinac National Park in 1875, and then Rock Creek Park, Sequoia and Yosemite in 1890.
PLAY, LEARN AND HAVE FUN!
| 61 U.S. National Parks 88 U.S. National Monuments 19 U.S. National Preserves 51 U.S. National Historic Parks 78 U.S. National Historic Sites 1 U.S. International Historic Site 4 U.S. National Battlefield Parks 9 U.S. National Military Parks 11 U.S. National Battlefields |
1 National Battlefield Site 29 National Memorials 18 National Recreation Areas 10 National Seashores 3 National Lakeshores 15 National Rivers 2 National Reserves 4 National Parkways 3 National Trails 11 other sites including the National Mall and National Capital Parks |
For a Total of 417 U.S. National Parks, Sites and Monuments
Download the National Park Service Index, a complete administrative listing of the National Park System’s areas and related areas. It has been revised to reflect congressional actions. The entries, grouped by state, include administrative addresses and phone numbers, dates of authorization and establishment, boundary change dates, acreages, website addresses, and brief statements explaining the areas’ national significance. This book is not intended as a guide for park visitors. There is no information regarding campgrounds, trails, visitor services, hours, etc. Those needing such information should go to each park’s website, accessible through the National Park Service home page: www.nps.gov
Next, download the trip planning guide and checklist. Make your fun adventure a safe one too! No one plans to get hurt while out exploring in a National Park. However, nature is unpredictable, structures are historical, and your equipment can unexpectedly fail. Planning can be the key to a fun and safe adventure. Remember, safety starts with you!
National Park Finder App
iPhone, iPad, or iPod
Android Devices
"Explore, Learn, and Protect!" The Junior Ranger motto is recited by children around the country; each taking an oath of their own to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share their own ranger story with friends and family.
Read More:
National Park Service
Video: Every Kid in a Park
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A Youth Educator’s Guide to Leave No Trace Activities, Games, and Experiential Curriculum
Outdoor Participation
Running, including jogging and trail running, was the most popular activity among Americans when measured by both number of participants and by number of total annual outings.
Walking for fitness was the most popular crossover activity. 45.8% of all outdoor participants also walked.
Adults who were introduced to the outdoors as children were more likely to participate in outdoor activities during adulthood than those who were not exposed to the outdoors as children. 38% of adults who were introduced to the outdoors during childhood grew up to enjoy outdoor activities as adults. Only 17% of adults who do not currently participate in any outdoor activities had outdoor experiences as children.
Adventure Activity Resources
All downloads in this category include Junior Ranger activity books available in each state park. Explore additional subcategories with activities to download for special exhibits, events and National Park Service programs. Be sure to check out other articles in this section for links to resources, information and videos.
Public Downloads
All items are free to view, share, and download.
Public Downloads - Español (Spanish)
When available, we provide all our content with a Spanish version in our public download section. You can find additional material from sources listed in all our articles.
