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: Tuzigoot National Monument, Natural Bridges National Monument and 81 more
Explore All National Monuments
Featured sites: Whitman Mission National Historic Site, Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site and 76 more
Explore All National Historic Sites
Featured sites: Thomas Edison National Historical Park, Cedar Creek & Belle Grove National Historical Park and 62 more
Explore All National Historical Parks
Featured sites: Hawaiʻi Volcanoes National Park, Everglades National Park and 49 more
Explore All National Parks
Featured sites: Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail and 16 more
Explore All National Historic Trails
Featured sites: Flight 93 National Memorial, Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial and 15 more
Explore All National Memorials
Featured sites: Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Boston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area and 14 more
Explore All National Recreation Areas
Featured sites: Fort Washington Park, Fort Foote Park and 9 more
Explore All Parks
Featured sites: Antietam National Battlefield, Moores Creek National Battlefield and 9 more
Explore All National Battlefields
Featured sites: Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Cape Cod National Seashore and 8 more
Explore All National Seashores
Featured sites: Yukon – Charley Rivers National Preserve, Noatak National Preserve and 7 more
Explore All National Preserves
Featured sites: Kings Mountain National Military Park, Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania National Military Park and 7 more
Explore All National Military Parks
Featured sites: Denali National Park & Preserve, Wrangell – St Elias National Park & Preserve and 6 more
Explore All National Park & Preserves
Featured sites: New England National Scenic Trail, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail and 4 more
Explore All National Scenic Trails
Featured sites: Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, River Raisin National Battlefield Park and 2 more
Explore All National Battlefield Parks
Featured sites: Blue Ridge Parkway, Baltimore-Washington Parkway and 1 more
Explore All Parkways
Featured sites: Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore, Apostle Islands National Lakeshore and 1 more
Explore All National Lakeshores
Featured sites: Aniakchak National Monument & Preserve, Craters Of The Moon National Monument & Preserve and 1 more
Explore All National Monument & Preserves
Featured sites: Yorktown Battlefield Part of Colonial National Historical Park, Cape Henry Memorial Part of Colonial National Historical Park and 1 more
Explore All Part of Colonial National Historical Parks
Featured sites: Perry’s Victory & International Peace Memorial, Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial
Explore All Memorials
Featured sites: City Of Rocks National Reserve, New Jersey Pinelands National Reserve
Explore All National Reserves
Featured sites: Obed Wild & Scenic River, Rio Grande Wild & Scenic River
Explore All Wild & Scenic Rivers
Featured sites: Niobrara National Scenic River, Bluestone National Scenic River
Explore All National Scenic Rivers
Featured sites: Big South Fork National River & Recreation Area, Mississippi National River & Recreation Area
Explore All National River & Recreation Areas
Featured sites: Buffalo National River
Explore All National Rivers
Featured sites: Ozark National Scenic Riverways
Explore All National Scenic Riverwayss
Featured sites: Redwood National and State Parks
Explore All National and State Parkss
Featured sites: Roosevelt Campobello International Park
Explore All International Parks
Featured sites: Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
Explore All International Historic Sites
Featured sites: Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway
Explore All National Scenic Riverways
Featured sites: Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve
Explore All National Historical Park and Ecological Preserves
Featured sites: Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks
Explore All National Parkss
Featured sites: Timucuan Ecological & Historic Preserve
Explore All Ecological & Historic Preserves
Featured sites: Upper Delaware Scenic & Recreational River
Explore All Scenic & Recreational Rivers
Featured sites: Alagnak Wild River
Explore All Wild Rivers
Featured sites: Missouri National Recreational River
Explore All National Recreational Rivers
Featured sites: Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site
Explore All National Battlefield Sites
Featured sites: Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve
Explore All National Historical Reserves
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
Explore All Memorial Parkways
Featured sites: Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
Explore All National Geologic Trails
Featured sites: Jean Lafitte National Historical Park and Preserve
Explore All National Historical Park and Preserves
Featured sites: Aleutian Islands World War II National Historic Area
Explore All National Historic Areas
Featured sites: Lower Delaware National Wild and Scenic River
Explore All National Wild and Scenic Rivers
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.