Free National Parks Checklist by Designation (2026 Update!)

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Article Summary: National Parks Checklist, List of National Parks by Name, List of National Park Designations

Keeping track of the national parks you’re visiting? You’ll find this list of US national parks by designation very helpful. It includes all 429 national park sites. Yep, that’s right 429. We include every site managed by the National Park Service – everything from battlefields to seashores.

This printable national parks checklist will help you plan your future park trips with ease.

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A purple sunset above red and brown sandy mountains — Unsplash/Jake Johnson

Table of Contents

Tips for Visiting America’s National Parks

Leave No Trace: With parks becoming more and more popular, it’s important to clean up after yourself. Make sure you leave nothing behind. Pick up all of your trash, don’t litter, and clean your food crumbs. Stay on maintained trails so you don’t damage the ecosystem. Furthermore, leaving no trace means leaving everything in its place. Don’t steal rocks, pinecones, flowers, or anything else from national parklands.

Do Not Approach or Feed Wildlife: Wild animals can be extremely dangerous. It’s best to let them be wild and leave them alone. Respect their space, keep your distance, and follow any park-specific regulations regarding wildlife. Never feed wild animals.

Plan Ahead: Expect crowds, reserve your lodging ahead of time, and know what you want to do when you visit. Research hiking trails, backcountry permitting processes, and other things to do before you arrive.

America the Beautiful Pass: Many national parks charge an entrance fee. By purchasing an annual pass, your fee will be waived when you visit these parks. Some are also available on a complimentary basis for many Americans. To see the full list of options for passes, click here.

List of All 429 US National Parks by Designation 1

RESOURCES to Help You Plan Your National Parks Trip

For more ideas, visit the planning page. You can also check out our other national park lists:

WAIT, HOW MANY NATIONAL PARKS ARE THERE? 63 OR 429?

Great question! In total, there are 429 national parks. This total includes national monuments, national historic sites, national seashores, and more. Only 63 of those have “National Park” in their name designation.

Keep reading to learn about the other national park designations and see the checklist. This list will also tell you which state(s) each park is in.

Free National Park Map and Free National Parks Checklist

Click the free resources below to enlarge them and save them.

Map of How Many National Parks Are There - 63 US National Parks Map - Printable National Parks Map

Free national parks checklist printable us national parks map checklist download printable

Map of All 429 National Parks

United States National Parks

Hover over each point on the map to learn the name of the national park it represents.

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List of 11 National Battlefields

National Battlefields can also have different name designations. Examples include National Battlefield Park, National Military Park, and National Battlefield Site. These areas are all associated with American military history.

There are 4 National Battlefield Parks, 9 National Military Parks, 11 National Battlefields, and 1 National Battlefield Site in the U.S.

Antietam National Battlefield (Maryland)
Big Hole National Battlefield (Montana)
Cowpens National Battlefield (South Carolina)
Fort Donelson National Battlefield (Kentucky and Tennessee)
Fort Necessity National Battlefield (Pennsylvania)
Monocacy National Battlefield (Maryland)
Moores Creek National Battlefield (North Carolina)
Petersburg National Battlefield (Virginia)
Stones River National Battlefield (Tennessee)
Tupelo National Battlefield (Mississippi)
Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield (Missouri)

Yellow light from a setting sun shines over a blue lake — Unsplash/Fransiskus Filbert Mangundap | Free National Parks Checklist

List of 4 National Battlefield Parks

12. Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park (Georgia)
13. Manassas National Battlefield Park (Virginia)
14. Richmond National Battlefield Park (Virginia)
15. River Raisin National Battlefield Park (Michigan)

List of 1 National Battlefield Site

16. Brices Cross Roads National Battlefield Site (Mississippi)

A white mausoleum-like building with a statue on top beneath a partly cloudy blue sky — Unsplash/Danaisa Rodriguez

List of 9 National Military Parks

Crowds of people line the walkways of the National Mall with the Washington Monument in the background, photo featured in a free national parks checklist — Unsplash/Jacob Creswick

List of 63 National Historical Parks

National Historical Parks usually have several historical features, differing from National Historic Sites. They may also have some significant natural features.

There are 63 National Historical Parks in the U.S.

A Joshua tree growing in the desert — Unsplash/Madeline Pere

Yellow and purple flowers grow in a field of green grass below snowy mountain peaks — Unsplash/Jessica Fadel | List of National Parks by Designation

List of 75 National Historic Sites

National Historic Site is the most common designation in the National Park System after National Monuments. The name is used for areas of historical importance. Generally, a National Historic Site focuses on one historical feature.

There are 75 National Historic Sites in the U.S. as well as 1 International Historic Site.

Orange hoodoo rock formations fill a canyon — Unsplash/Jen Milius

125. Honouliuli National Historic Site (Hawaii)
126. Hubbell Trading Post National Historic Site (Arizona)
127. James A. Garfield National Historic Site (Ohio)
128. John Fitzgerald Kennedy National Historic Site (Massachusetts)
129. John Muir National Historic Site (California)
130. Knife River Indian Villages National Historic Site (North Dakota and Montana)
131. Lincoln Home National Historic Site (Illinois)
132. Little Rock Central High School National Historic Site (Arkansas)
133. Longfellow House Washington’s Headquarters National Historic Site (Massachusetts)
134. Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site (Virginia)
135. Manzanar National Historic Site (California)
136. Martin Van Buren National Historic Site (New York)
137. Mary McLeod Bethune Council House National Historic Site (District of Columbia)
138. Minidoka National Historic Site (Idaho and Washington)
139. Minuteman Missile National Historic Site (South Dakota)
140. Nicodemus National Historic Site (Kansas)
141. Ninety-Six National Historic Site (South Carolina)
142. Pennsylvania Avenue National Historic Site (District of Columbia)
143. President William Jefferson Clinton Birthplace Home National Historic Site (Arkansas)
144. Pu’ukohola Heiau National Historic Site (Hawaii)
145. Sagamore Hill National Historic Site (New York)
146. Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site (New York)
147. Salem Maritime National Historic Site (Massachusetts)
148. San Juan National Historic Site (Puerto Rico)
149. Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site (Colorado)
150. Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site (Massachusetts)
151. Springfield Armory National Historic Site (Massachusetts)
152. Steamtown National Historic Site (Pennsylvania)
153. Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site (New York)
154. Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site (New York)
155. Thomas Stone National Historic Site (Maryland)
156. Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site (Alabama)
157. Tuskegee Institute National Historic Site (Alabama)
158. Ulysses S. Grant National Historic Site (Missouri)
159. Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site (New York)
160. Washita Battlefield National Historic Site (Oklahoma)
161. Whitman Mission National Historic Site (Washington)
162. William Howard Taft National Historic Site (Ohio)

List of 1 International Historic Site

163. Saint Croix Island International Historic Site (Maine)

Looking toward the sky in a field of palm trees — Unsplash/Jeremy Bishop

List of 3 National Lakeshores

National Lakeshores protect freshwater resources and focus on water-based recreation opportunities.

There are 3 National Lakeshores in the U.S.

164. Apostle Islands National Lakeshore (Wisconsin)
165. Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore (Michigan)
166. Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore (Michigan)

A hiker stands on a path between several extremely tall trees — Unsplash/Aleksandar Jason

List of 31 National Memorials

National Memorials serve to commemorate the loss of a significant individual or a significant event in history. Like other national parks, actual National Memorial names may vary.

There are 31 National Memorials in the U.S.

167. Arkansas Post National Memorial (Arkansas)
168. Arlington House, the Robert E. Lee Memorial (Virginia)
169. Chamizal National Memorial (Texas)
170. Coronado National Memorial (Arizona)
171. Dwight D. Eisenhower National Memorial (District of Columbia)
172. De Soto National Memorial (Florida)
173. Federal Hall National Memorial (New York)
174. Flight 93 National Memorial (Pennsylvania)
175. Fort Caroline National Memorial (Florida)
176. Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (District of Columbia)
177. General Grant National Memorial (New York)
178. Hamilton Grange National Memorial (New York)
179. Johnstown Flood National Memorial (Pennsylvania)
180. Korean War Veterans Memorial (District of Columbia)
181. Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial (Indiana)
182. Lincoln Memorial National Memorial (District of Columbia)
183. Lyndon Baines Johnson Memorial Grove on the Potomac (District of Columbia)
184. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (District of Columbia)
185. Mount Rushmore National Memorial (South Dakota)
186. Pearl Harbor National Memorial (Hawaii)
187. Perry’s Victory and International Peace Memorial (Ohio)
188. Port Chicago Naval Magazine National Memorial (California)
189. Roger Williams National Memorial (Rhode Island)
190. Thaddeus Kosciuszko National Memorial (Pennsylvania)
191. Theodore Roosevelt Island (District of Columbia)
192. Thomas Jefferson Memorial (District of Columbia)
193. Vietnam Veterans Memorial (District of Columbia)
194. Washington Monument (District of Columbia)
195. World War I Memorial (District of Columbia)
196. World War II Memorial (District of Columbia)
197. Wright Brothers National Memorial (North Carolina)

Looking up at the Statue of Liberty with an American flag in the corner — Unsplash/Swapnil Bhagwat

List of 84 National Monuments

National Monuments usually protect one significant resource. Often, they’re smaller than National Parks. They may have fewer attractions or less diversity within their boundaries.

Using the Antiquities Act, U.S. Presidents can create National Monuments at any time. Often, this is how other national parks start before being renamed later.

There are 84 National Monuments in the U.S.

A blue lake at the base of several gray mountains — Unsplash/Josh Collesano | List of National Park Name Designations

List of 63 National Parks

National Parks generally have a variety of resources, natural or cultural. They encompass large areas of land or water.

National Parks require an Act of Congress to be created, unlike other site designations on this list.

There are 63 National Parks in the U.S.

283. Acadia National Park (Maine)
284. Arches National Park (Utah)
285. Badlands National Park (South Dakota)
286. Big Bend National Park (Texas)
287. Biscayne National Park (Florida)
288. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (Colorado)
289. Bryce Canyon National Park (Utah)
290. Canyonlands National Park (Utah)
291. Capitol Reef National Park (Utah)
292. Carlsbad Caverns National Park (New Mexico)
293. Channel Islands National Park (California)
294. Congaree National Park (South Carolina)
295. Crater Lake National Park (Oregon)
296. Cuyahoga Valley National Park (Ohio)
297. Death Valley National Park (California)
298. Denali National Park (Alaska)
299. Dry Tortugas National Park (Florida)
300. Everglades National Park (Florida)
301. Gates of the Arctic National Park (Alaska)
302. Gateway Arch National Park (Missouri)
303. Glacier National Park (Montana)
304. Glacier Bay National Park (Alaska)
305. Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
306. Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
307. Great Basin National Park (Nevada)
308. Great Sand Dunes National Park (Colorado)
309. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee and North Carolina)
310. Guadalupe Mountains National Park (Texas)
311. Haleakala National Park (Hawaii)
312. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (Hawaii)
313. Hot Springs National Park (Arkansas)
314. Indiana Dunes National Park (Indiana)
315. Isle Royale National Park (Michigan)
316. Joshua Tree National Park (California)
317. Katmai National Park (Alaska)
318. Kenai Fjords National Park (Alaska)

Snowy mountain peaks rise above sand dunes — Unsplash/Colin Lloyd

319. Kings Canyon National Park (California)
320. Kobuk Valley National Park (Alaska)
321. Lake Clark National Park (Alaska)
322. Lassen Volcanic National Park (California)
323. Mammoth Cave National Park (Kentucky)
324. Mesa Verde National Park (Colorado)
325. Mount Rainier National Park (Washington)
326. National Park of American Samoa (American Samoa)
327. New River Gorge National Park and Preserve (West Virginia)
328. North Cascades National Park (Washington)
329. Olympic National Park (Washington)
330. Petrified Forest National Park (Arizona)
331. Pinnacles National Park (California)
332. Redwood National Park (California)
333. Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
334. Saguaro National Park (Arizona)
335. Sequoia National Park (California)
336. Shenandoah National Park (Virginia)
337. Theodore Roosevelt National Park (North Dakota)
338. Virgin Islands National Park (U.S. Virgin Islands)
339. Voyageurs National Park (Minnesota)
340. White Sands National Park (New Mexico)
341. Wind Cave National Park (South Dakota)
342. Wrangell-St. Elias National Park (Alaska)
343. Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho)
344. Yosemite National Park (California)
345. Zion National Park (Utah)

An adult anhinga on a nest with several babies — Unsplash/Sterling Lanier

List of 19 National Preserves

National Preserves protect specific resources. As long as those resources aren’t threatened, preserves usually allow hunting, fishing, or foraging. These regulations are much different from those in other national parks.

Some National Parks also have a National Preserve. Denali, for example, is a National Park and Preserve. The two areas have specified boundaries and the rules for hunting and collecting resources change based on which area you’re in.

There are 19 National Preserves and 2 National Reserves in the U.S.

A waterfall cascades down yellow canyon walls — Unsplash/Laila Skalsky

List of 4 National Parkways

These scenic roadways usually offer incredible drives through particularly beautiful areas of the country.

There are 4 National Parkways in the U.S.

365. Blue Ridge Parkway (North Carolina and Virginia)
366. George Washington Memorial Parkway (District of Columbia, Maryland, and Virginia)
367. John D. Rockefeller Memorial Parkway (Wyoming)
368. Natchez Trace Parkway (Mississippi)

An arced bridge over a river and a large gray dam — Unsplash/Clay Banks

List of 18 National Recreation Areas

National Recreation Areas usually surround reservoirs created by dams. They can also be recreational lands and waters set aside by Congress.

There are 18 National Recreation Areas in the U.S.

Looking up at red canyon walls, the blue sky makes an appearance — Unsplash/Soufiane Boissady

List of 2 National Reserves

387. City of Rocks National Reserve (Idaho)
388. Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve (Washington)

List of 4 National Rivers

National Rivers usually protect free-flowing water and the immediate surroundings. These types of parks usually boast extraordinary recreation opportunities. They all flow naturally without major alteration.

Designations vary, including National River, National Scenic River, National Wild and Scenic River, Scenic and Recreational River, National Recreational River, National Scenic Riverway, Wild River, and, simply, River.

There are 14 National Rivers (with the above name variations) in the U.S.

389. Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area (Tennessee and Kentucky)
390. Buffalo National River (Arkansas)
391. Mississippi National River and Recreation Area (Minnesota)
392. Ozark National Scenic Riverway (Missouri)

A light green creek flowing through a slot canyon with orange walls — Unsplash/Natali Quijano

List of 10 National Wild & Scenic Rivers

393. Alagnak Wild River (Alaska)
394. Bluestone National Scenic River (West Virginia)
395. Middle Delaware National Scenic River (New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania)
396. Great Egg Harbor National Scenic and Recreational River, New Jersey
397. Missouri National Recreational River (South Dakota and Nebraska)
398. Niobrara National Scenic River (Nebraska)
399. Obed National Wild & Scenic River (Tennessee)
400. Rio Grande National Wild & Scenic River (Texas)
401. Saint Croix National Scenic Riverway (Wisconsin and Minnesota)
402. Upper Delaware Scenic and Recreational River (New York and Pennsylvania)

A red bridge centered in the photo — Unsplash/Oliver Plattner

List of 6 National Scenic Trails

National Scenic Trails usually consist of long-distance footpaths that take visitors to areas of significant natural beauty. National Historic Trails honor routes of historical significance, such as travel routes.

There are 6 National Trails, all with the scenic designation. At this time, only National Scenic Trails count toward the total 429 national parks.

403. Appalachian National Scenic Trail (Maine to Georgia)
404. Ice Age National Scenic Trail (Wisconsin)
405. Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail (Alabama and Mississippi)
406. New England National Scenic Trail (Massachusetts to Connecticut)
407. North Country National Scenic Trail (Vermont to North Dakota)
408. Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail (District of Columbia, Pennsylvania, and Virginia)

A person standing in the middle of a street lined with trees while waving an American flag — Unsplash/Leo Visions

List of 10 National Seashores

National Seashores generally protect an ocean coastline, focusing on water-based resources.

There are 10 National Seashores in the U.S.

Flashes of lightning strike in a purple-tinted sky above jagged mountain peaks — Unsplash/Sean Pierce

List of 11 National Parks with Other Designations

There are 11 national parks with unique names from the others on this national parks checklist.

419. Catoctin Mountain Park (Maryland)
420. Constitution Gardens (District of Columbia)
421. Fort Washington Park (Maryland)
422. Greenbelt Park (Maryland)
423. National Capital Parks East (District of Columbia)
424. National Mall and Memorial Parks (District of Columbia)
425. Piscataway Park (Maryland)
426. Prince William Forest Park (Virginia)
427. Rock Creek Park (District of Columbia)
428. The White House and President’s Park (District of Columbia)
429. Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts (Virginia)

Pin Our Free and Printable National Parks Checklist

Was there a park on this list that surprised you? Let us know in the comments!

Tips for Visiting America’s National Parks

RESOURCES to Help You Plan Your National Parks Trip

Fodor’s Guide to the 63 National Parks

Fodor’s Guide to Yosemite, Sequoia, and Kings Canyon

Fodor’s Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton

Lonely Planet: Great Smoky Mountains

Moon Guide to Glacier National Park

National Parks of America (Lonely Planet)

Fodor’s Guide to National Parks of the West

National Geographic Guide to National Parks of the United States

National Parks of the USA

100 Parks, 5,000 Ideas

The Moon Guide to 59 USA National Parks

Atlas of the National Parks

Complete National Parks of the United States