We know there are questions around travel amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak. Read our note here.
Once called “America’s Best Idea,” national parks have given us magnificent scenery, unparalleled access to nature, and meaningful historic landmarks. There are currently 423 units under the management of the U.S. National Park Service, stretching across 85 million acres throughout all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories.
Not every piece of land managed by the NPS is classified as a park (akin to the mighty Grand Canyon or Yellowstone, the original national park). There are 63 official national parks — some states have multiple parks (California boasts nine and Alaska has eight), while others have none at all (including Georgia, Illinois, and New York).
Nineteen other designations make up the rest of the list under the agency’s purview, including national historic sites, battlefields, lakeshores, monuments, preserves, and trails. Each state does have a slice of NPS protected land that celebrates and preserves areas of ecological diversity and important history. So, in honor of National Park Week (April 17-25, 2021), we’ve compiled the ultimate list of the best national park area in each state.
Share
