National Parks Travel Guide
Federally protected natural areas preserving diverse landscapes, ecosystems, wildlife, and geologic features for conservation, recreation, and public enjoyment.
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Acadia National Park
Cathedral in the Morningside Heights neighborhood of Manhattan is the world's sixth-largest church by area
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Shenandoah National Park
Most visited urban park in the United States, with an estimated 42 million visitors annually as of 2016, and is the most filmed location in the world
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New River Gorge National Park
National park that offers opportunities for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing along the New River
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
16.3-acre complex of buildings houses nationally and internationally renowned performing arts organizations including the New York Philharmonic, the Metropolitan Opera, and the New York City Ballet
Congaree National Park
Largest art museum in the United States. Its permanent collection contains over 2 million works, divided among 17 curatorial departments
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Biscayne National Park
Aerial tramway in New York City that spans the East River and connects Roosevelt Island to the Upper East Side of Manhattan
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Everglades National Park
Art museum that is home of a continuously expanding collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern, and contemporary art
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Dry Tortugas National Park
Art museum that is home of a continuously expanding collection of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, early Modern, and contemporary art
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Cuyahoga Valley National Park
National park that encompasses the Cuyahoga River and its tributaries, offering opportunities for hiking, biking, and wildlife viewing
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Indiana Dunes National Park
9.6-acre (39,000 m2) public park in Midtown Manhattan where the eastern half is occupied by the Main Branch of the New York Public Library and the western half contains a lawn, and shaded walkways
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Isle Royale National Park
Art Deco skyscraper in the Turtle Bay neighborhood on the East Side of Manhattan is the tallest brick building in the world with a steel framework
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Voyageurs National Park
Outdoor terrace jutting 80 feet outward south, providing panoramic views of Manhattan and the Hudson River
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Gateway Arch National Park
Outdoor terrace jutting 80 feet outward south, providing panoramic views of Manhattan and the Hudson River
Badlands National Park
Commuter rail terminal in Midtown Manhattan known for its distinctive architecture and interior design that have earned it several landmark designations
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Wind Cave National Park
Art museum located in Midtown Manhattan is often identified as one of the largest and most influential museums of modern art in the world
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Theodore Roosevelt National Park
Flagship building in the New York Public Library system and a landmark in Midtown Manhattan
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Mammoth Cave National Park
Food hall, shopping mall, office building and television production facility located in the Chelsea neighborhood of Manhattan
Hot Springs National Park
Neighborhood in Lower Manhattan is the home to the highest concentration of Chinese people in the Western Hemisphere and is one of the oldest Chinese ethnic enclaves
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Guadalupe Mountains National Park
102-story Art Deco skyscraper in Midtown Manhattan
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Big Bend National Park
Triangular 22-story, 285-foot-tall (86.9 m) steel-framed landmarked building located in the eponymous Flatiron District neighborhood of Manhattan
Carlsbad Caverns National Park
Memorial and museum in New York City commemorating the September 11, 2001 attacks
White Sands National Park
25-acre public park located at the southern tip of Manhattan Island facing New York Harbor containing multiple monuments
Mesa Verde National Park
Oldest public park in New York City
Great Sand Dunes National Park
Bronze sculpture depicting a bull, the symbol of aggressive financial optimism and prosperity
Rocky Mountain National Park
Island in New York Harbor that was the busiest immigrant inspection station in the United States and is now a national museum of immigration
Arches National Park
Historic building in the Financial District where the colonial Stamp Act Congress met to draft its message to King George III claiming entitlement to the same rights as the residents of Britain and other historcial events
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Canyonlands National Park
Museum and restaurant in the Financial District of Lower Manhattan that played a prominent role in history before, during, and after the American Revolution
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Capitol Reef National Park
Located at the center of City Hall Park in the Civic Center area of Lower Manhattan, the building is the oldest city hall in the United States that still houses its original governmental functions
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Bryce Canyon National Park
Rapid transit system owned by the City of New York and opened on October 27, 1904, is one of the world's oldest public transit systems
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Zion National Park
The world's largest stock exchange and is the leading US money center for international financial activities
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Grand Canyon National Park
Main building of the rebuilt World Trade Center complex in Lower Manhattan, is the tallest building in the United States and in the Western Hemisphere
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Petrified Forest National Park
Busy ferry service operating 24-hours a day connecting Manhattan with Staten Island with view of Statue of Liberty, Ellis Island and New York Skyline
Saguaro National Park
Colossal neoclassical sculpture on Liberty Island in New York Harbor within New York City
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Great Basin National Park
Historic Episcopal church & cemetery where Alexander Hamilton & other early Americans are buried
Joshua Tree National Park
Southernmost bridge connecting Manhattan Island and Long Island is a major tourist attraction since its opening and an icon of New York City
Death Valley National Park
85-acre park on the Brooklyn side of the East River includes Main Street Parks, historic Fulton Ferry Landing, Piers 1-6, Empire Stores and the Tobacco Warehouse
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Channel Islands National Park
Peninsular neighborhood and entertainment area in the southwestern section of Brooklyn
Pinnacles National Park
Short for Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass, a neighborhood of Brooklyn remade into an upscale residential and commercial community for art galleries, and currently a center for technology startups
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Sequoia National Park
Chain of fast food restaurants specializing in hot dogs. The original Nathan's restaurant stands at the corner of Surf and Stillwell Avenues in the Coney Island neighborhood of the Brooklyn
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Kings Canyon National Park
Museum displaying historical artifacts of the New York City Subway, bus, and commuter rail systems in the greater New York City metropolitan region
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Yosemite National Park
Urban park in Brooklyn including 90-acre (36 ha) Long Meadow, the Picnic House, Litchfield Villa, Prospect Park Zoo, the Boathouse, and Concert Grove
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Lassen Volcanic National Park
Urban park in Brooklyn including 90-acre (36 ha) Long Meadow, the Picnic House, Litchfield Villa, Prospect Park Zoo, the Boathouse, and Concert Grove
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Redwood National and State Parks
Urban park in Brooklyn including 90-acre (36 ha) Long Meadow, the Picnic House, Litchfield Villa, Prospect Park Zoo, the Boathouse, and Concert Grove
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Grand Teton National Park
One of the largest zoos in the United States by area and is the largest metropolitan zoo in the United States by area
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Yellowstone National Park
Museum in Upper Manhattan, specializing in European medieval art and architecture, with a focus on the Romanesque and Gothic periods
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Glacier National Park
Museum in Upper Manhattan, specializing in European medieval art and architecture, with a focus on the Romanesque and Gothic periods
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Crater Lake National Park
Museum in Upper Manhattan, specializing in European medieval art and architecture, with a focus on the Romanesque and Gothic periods
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North Cascades National Park
Museum in Upper Manhattan, specializing in European medieval art and architecture, with a focus on the Romanesque and Gothic periods
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Olympic National Park
Museum in Upper Manhattan, specializing in European medieval art and architecture, with a focus on the Romanesque and Gothic periods
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Mount Rainier National Park
Museum in Upper Manhattan, specializing in European medieval art and architecture, with a focus on the Romanesque and Gothic periods
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Denali National Park and Preserve
Public park in the northern part of Queens is the fourth-largest public park in New York City
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Kenai Fjords National Park
Public park in the northern part of Queens is the fourth-largest public park in New York City
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Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve
Public park in the northern part of Queens is the fourth-largest public park in New York City
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Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve
Public park in the northern part of Queens is the fourth-largest public park in New York City
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Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve
Public park in the northern part of Queens is the fourth-largest public park in New York City
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Kobuk Valley National Park
Public park in the northern part of Queens is the fourth-largest public park in New York City
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Katmai National Park and Preserve
Public park in the northern part of Queens is the fourth-largest public park in New York City
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Lake Clark National Park and Preserve
Public park in the northern part of Queens is the fourth-largest public park in New York City
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Haleakala National Park
Public park in the northern part of Queens is the fourth-largest public park in New York City
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Hawaii Volcanoes National Park
Public park in the northern part of Queens is the fourth-largest public park in New York City
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Virgin Islands National Park
Public park in the northern part of Queens is the fourth-largest public park in New York City
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American Samoa National Park
Public park in the northern part of Queens is the fourth-largest public park in New York City
Overview
The United States National Parks form a sweeping network of protected lands that showcase some of the most breathtaking natural wonders on Earth. From towering granite cliffs and ancient forests to vast deserts and geothermal marvels, these preserved landscapes invite travelers into environments shaped over millions of years. Visitors can walk beneath the giant sequoias, gaze into colorful canyon depths, or witness geysers erupting with raw power, each park offering a vivid encounter with nature’s artistry and scale. Wildlife thrives across these regions, where herds, predators, and birdlife coexist in ecosystems largely untouched by modern development.
Established to safeguard natural beauty and cultural heritage, the park system also tells stories of Indigenous history, exploration, and conservation. Scenic drives, hiking trails, and ranger-led programs allow travelers to experience both adventure and education, while carefully managed facilities ensure access without diminishing the landscapes themselves. Whether seeking solitude beneath a starlit sky or the thrill of rugged terrain, visitors find that these protected areas deliver immersive journeys that highlight the enduring relationship between people and the natural world.
This article uses material from the Wikipedia articles and official tourism pages for the National Park Service, which are released under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share-Alike License 3.0.