Browse Parks by Type
From iconic national parks to historic battlefields, explore America's diverse portfolio of protected lands. Each designation serves a unique purpose in preserving our natural and cultural heritage.
Featured sites: Camp Nelson National Monument, African Burial Ground National Monument and 81 more
Explore All National Monuments
Featured sites: John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site, Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site and 76 more
Explore All National Historic Sites
Featured sites: Coltsville National Historical Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park and 62 more
Explore All National Historical Parks
Featured sites: Glacier National Park, Pinnacles National Park and 49 more
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Featured sites: Old Spanish National Historic Trail, Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail and 16 more
Explore All National Historic Trails
Featured sites: Pearl Harbor National Memorial, General Grant National Memorial and 15 more
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Featured sites: Gauley River National Recreation Area, Lake Mead National Recreation Area and 14 more
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Featured sites: Glen Echo Park, Rock Creek Park and 9 more
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Featured sites: Big Hole National Battlefield, Monocacy National Battlefield and 9 more
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Featured sites: Cumberland Island National Seashore, Point Reyes National Seashore and 8 more
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Featured sites: Noatak National Preserve, Big Thicket National Preserve and 7 more
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Featured sites: Guilford Courthouse National Military Park, Horseshoe Bend National Military Park and 7 more
Explore All National Military Parks
Featured sites: Great Sand Dunes National Park & Preserve, Gates Of The Arctic National Park & Preserve and 6 more
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Featured sites: Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail, New England National Scenic Trail and 4 more
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Featured sites: Manassas National Battlefield Park, Richmond National Battlefield Park and 2 more
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Featured sites: Baltimore-Washington Parkway, Blue Ridge Parkway and 1 more
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Featured sites: Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore and 1 more
Explore All National Lakeshores
Featured sites: Oregon Caves National Monument & Preserve, Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve and 1 more
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Featured sites: Historic Jamestowne Part of Colonial National Historical Park, Cape Henry Memorial Part of Colonial National Historical Park and 1 more
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Featured sites: Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial, Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial
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Featured sites: City Of Rocks National Reserve, New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve
Explore All National Reserves
Featured sites: Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River, Obed Wild & Scenic River
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Featured sites: Bluestone National Scenic River, Niobrara National Scenic River
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Featured sites: Mississippi National River & Recreation Area, Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area
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Featured sites: Buffalo National River
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Featured sites: Ozark National Scenic Riverways
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Featured sites: Redwood National and State Parks
Explore All National and State Parkss
Featured sites: Roosevelt Campobello International Park
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Featured sites: Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
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Featured sites: Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
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Featured sites: Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
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Featured sites: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
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Featured sites: Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
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Featured sites: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River
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Featured sites: Alagnak Wild River
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Featured sites: Missouri National Recreational River
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Featured sites: Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site
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Featured sites: Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve
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Featured sites: Ellis Island Part of Statue of Liberty National Monument
Explore All Part of Statue of Liberty National Monuments
Featured sites: Fort McHenry National Monument and Historic Shrine
Explore All National Monument and Historic Shrines
Featured sites: George Washington Memorial Parkway
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Featured sites: Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
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Featured sites: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
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Featured sites: Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area
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Featured sites: Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River
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Featured sites: Wing Luke Museum Affiliated Area
Explore All Affiliated AreasUnderstanding Park Designations
The National Park Service manages over 400 sites across more than a dozen different designations. Each classification reflects the unique character, purpose, and significance of the protected area. National Parks preserve outstanding natural landscapes, while National Monuments protect objects of historic or scientific interest. National Historic Sites commemorate important people and events, and National Recreation Areas provide outdoor recreation opportunities.
Whether you're drawn to the grandeur of national parks, the solemnity of battlefields, or the scenic beauty of parkways, each designation offers its own distinct experience and insight into America's natural and cultural heritage.
Understanding Park Designations
National Parks: The crown jewels of the park system, featuring significant natural resources, ecosystems, and scenic beauty. Examples: Yellowstone, Yosemite, Grand Canyon.
National Monuments: Protect significant natural, cultural, or historic features. Can be established by presidential proclamation. Examples: Devils Tower, Bandelier, Dinosaur.
National Historic Sites: Preserve places of historical significance. Examples: Ford’s Theatre, Independence Hall, Manzanar.
National Battlefields: Commemorate important military conflicts. Examples: Gettysburg, Antietam, Shiloh.
National Seashores & Lakeshores: Protect shoreline areas with recreational and scientific value. Examples: Cape Cod, Padre Island, Sleeping Bear Dunes.
National Recreation Areas: Offer outdoor recreation opportunities, often centered around reservoirs. Examples: Lake Mead, Golden Gate, Gateway Arch.
What’s the Difference?
While “National Park” is the most prestigious designation, all park types are managed by the National Park Service and offer incredible experiences. Many National Monuments and Historic Sites receive fewer visitors, making them perfect for those seeking quieter adventures.
Ready to explore? Browse parks by state or find parks near your location.