People around the world have been to or have heard of national parks. In the United States, the National Park Service manages 424 units/sites, only 63 of which are officially national parks (as of 2023). There are approximately 18 other designations which fall under the ‘parks’ name. The National Park Service website has a page that lists out each unit by its designation.
You may know names like national monument, national memorial, and national historic site but there are so many more! Often the title of the park will signal what you can expect to find – national parks have natural attractions, national historic sites have historic buildings, national battlefield parks are for military history, and national recreation areas have recreational activities.
Nature Designations
Areas with nature designations have scenic or scientific features including forests, grassland, tundra, deserts, river systems, wildlife, and plant life.
National Park
National parks encompass large land or water areas to protect the resources within. Parks often have multiple sites and attractions. National parks must be established through acts of Congress.
Examples: Acadia National Park, Denali National Park, Glacier National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Mesa Verde National Park, Saguaro National Park, Yellowstone National Park, White Sands National Park, and Zion National Park.
National Monument
National monuments preserve at least one significant site, but they are usually smaller than parks and do not have as many attractions. They include archeological sites, historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest. National monuments can be created by presidential proclamation using the Antiquities Act of 1906 or by congressional legislation.
Examples: Bandelier National Monument, Chiricahua National Monument, Craters of the Moon National Monument, Gila Cliff Dwelling National Monument, Montezuma Castle National Monument, Statue of Liberty National Monument, and Wupatki National Monument.
National Preserve and Reserves
National preserves are like national parks except activities like hunting, fishing, and mining may be permitted.
Examples: Big Cypress National Preserve, City of Rocks National Reserve, Great Sand Dunes National Preserve, Little River Canyon National Preserve, and Tallgrass Prairie National Preserve.
National Lakeshores and Seashores
Lakeshores and seashores preserve shorelines and offshore islands. In addition to preserving natural features, these typically offer water-based recreation. National lakeshores can be on any freshwater lake, but the current lakeshores are along the Great Lakes. Seashores are on the Atlantic, Pacific, and Gulf coastlines.
Examples: Cape Cod National Seashore, Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Fire Island National Seashore, Padre Island National Seashore, Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore, and Sleeping Bear Dunes National Lakeshore.
National Rivers and Wild and Scenic Riverways
Rivers and riverways preserve free-flowing streams (which have at least one notable natural, cultural, or recreational value) and their surrounding ecosystems. These areas also offer outdoor activities like hiking, canoeing, and kayaking.
Examples: Alagnak Wild River, Big South Fork National River and Recreation Area, Ozark National Scenic Riverways, and Rio Grande Wild and Scenic River.
National Historic Trails and Scenic Trails
Historic trails recognize original routes and trails that have national historical significance. Scenic trails are long-distance trails which wander through areas of natural beauty.
Examples: Appalachian National Scenic Trail and the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail.
Historical Designations
These designations preserve and commemorate people, places, events, and activities important in U.S. history. Historical areas are preserved or restored to reflect their appearance during their most significant period.
National Historic Sites
National historic sites usually have a single historic feature associated with an important person or event in American history.
Examples: Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site, Ford’s Theatre National Historic Site, Harry S Truman National Historic Site, John Muir National Historic Site, and Tuskegee Airmen National Historic Site.
National Historical Parks
These parks are like historic sites but are usually more complex and take up a larger area or extend to multiple properties.
Examples: Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historical Park, Chaco Culture National Historical Park, Cumberland Gap National Historical Park, Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Rosie the Riveter/World War II Home Front National Historical Park, and Valley Forge National Historical Park.
National Memorials
National memorials are largely commemorative. They don’t have to have a historic site or structure associated with them, but they do mark an important event or person.
Examples: Korean War Veterans Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, Pearl Harbor National Memorial, Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington Monument, and Wright Brothers National Memorial.
National Battlefields and Battlefield Parks
National miliary parks, battlefields, battlefield parks, and battlefield sites preserve battle sites for their national importance. They are for historic battles fought on American soil which shaped the growth and development of the Unites States – currently they include sites for the American Civil War, American Revolutionary War, War of 1812, French and Indian War, and attacks on indigenous peoples.
Examples: Cowpens National Battlefield, Kennesaw Mountain National Battlefield Park, Tupelo National Battlefield, and River Raisin National Battlefield Park.
National Recreation Areas
Originally for areas around reservoirs and dams built by federal agencies, these areas now also include land and waterways set aside by acts of Congress for recreational use.
Examples: Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area, Gateway National Recreation Area, Golden Gate National Recreation Area, and Lake Mead National Recreation Area.
National Parkways
Parkways contain land around roadways which allow visitors to enjoy driving through scenic areas.
Examples: Blue Ridge Parkway, George Washington Memorial Parkway, and Natchez Trace Parkway.
National Forest vs. National Park
The biggest difference between national forests and parks is who manages them. National parks fall under the U.S. Department of the Interior. National forests are managed by the U.S. Forest Service, which is part of the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
As mentioned above, the top priority for national parks is preservation. Priorities for national forests are preservation, resources (e.g., timber, oil), and recreation.
Compared to the 424 national park units, there are 155 national forests and 20 national grasslands. Even with less sites, national forests encompass twice as many acres of land in the United States.
Reading about the parks I was surprised at how many I have been fortunate to visit. Surprised at how many I still need to see. These are National treasures and I have never been disappointed. Enjoy your hikes and the beauty that will surround you.