On March 1, 1872, Congress established Yellowstone National Park in the Territories of Montana and Wyoming, marking it as a public area for the enjoyment of the people and placing it under the exclusive control of the Secretary of the Interior. In the years that followed, the United States continued to authorize additional national parks and monuments administered by the Department of the Interior. Here are just a few of these national treasures.
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Yosemite National Park, California | Photo: ShutterstockSee MoreYosemite National Park, California
Location: Central Sierra Nevada, California
Date Established: October 1, 1890
Annual Visitors: Approximately 4 million
Unique Features: Yosemite is renowned for its breathtaking granite cliffs, waterfalls, clear streams, giant sequoias, and biological diversity. Iconic landmarks such as El Capitan and Half Dome draw climbers and hikers from around the world. Yosemite Valley, with its stunning views and lush meadows, epitomizes America's wilderness. -
Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii | Photo: ShutterstockSee MoreHaleakalā National Park, Hawaii
Location: Maui, Hawaii
Date Established: July 1, 1961
Annual Visitors: Around 1 million
Unique Features: Haleakalā, meaning "House of the Sun," is famous for its massive dormant volcano, sunrise views from the summit, and native Hawaiian flora and fauna. The park’s diverse landscapes range from rainforests to stark volcanic deserts and a vibrant ecosystem. -
Channel Islands National Park, California | Photo: ShutterstockSee MoreChannel Islands National Park, California
Location: Off the coast of Southern California
Date Established: March 5, 1980
Annual Visitors: Approximately 400,000
Unique Features: Consisting of five islands, Channel Islands National Park offers pristine coastlines, unique flora and fauna, and rich marine life. The isolation of these islands has allowed for the evolution of over 145 species of plants and animals that are found nowhere else in the world. -
Mount Rainier National Park, Washington | Photo: ShutterstockSee MoreMount Rainier National Park, Washington
Location: Southeast of Seattle, Washington
Date Established: March 2, 1899
Annual Visitors: Around 1.5 million
Unique Features: Dominated by snow-capped Mount Rainier, this park boasts vast subalpine wildflower meadows, ancient forests, and over 25 glaciers. The active stratovolcano is also home to diverse wildlife and stunning vistas that change with the seasons. -
Acadia National Park, Maine | Photo: ShutterstockSee MoreAcadia National Park, Maine
Location: Mount Desert Island, Maine
Date Established: July 8, 1916
Annual Visitors: Roughly 3.5 million
Unique Features: Known for its rocky headlands, Acadia offers stunning ocean views, dense forests, and the tallest mountain on the eastern seaboard of the United States, Cadillac Mountain. Its network of carriage roads and trails makes it a haven for hikers and cyclists. -
Arches National Park, Utah | Photo: ShutterstockSee MoreArches National Park, Utah
Location: Eastern Utah
Date Established: November 12, 1971
Annual Visitors: About 1.5 million
Unique Features: More than 2,000 natural sandstone arches, including the iconic Delicate Arch make up this National Park. The surreal landscape of red rock canyons, spires, and pinnacles forms a fascinating desert scene. -
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming | Photo: ShutterstockSee MoreYellowstone National Park, Wyoming
Location: Primarily in Wyoming, extending into Montana and Idaho
Date Established: March 1, 1872
Annual Visitors: Approximately 4 million
Unique Features: As the world's first national park, Yellowstone is famous for its geothermal features like geysers and hot springs, especially the iconic Old Faithful. It boasts diverse ecosystems, abundant wildlife, and stunning geological formations such as the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. The park sits on the Yellowstone Caldera, sometimes referred to as the Yellowstone Supervolcano -
Shenandoah National Park, Virginia | Photo: ShutterstockSee MoreShenandoah National Park, Virginia
Location: Blue Ridge Mountains, Virginia
Date Established: December 26, 1935
Annual Visitors: Around 1.4 million
Unique Features: Shenandoah offers over 200,000 acres of protected lands with scenic Skyline Drive, cascading waterfalls, and serene wooded hollows. The park is renowned for its autumn foliage and extensive hiking trails, including a section of the Appalachian Trail. -
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona | Photo: ShutterstockSee MoreGrand Canyon National Park, Arizona
Location: Northern Arizona
Date Established: February 26, 1919
Annual Visitors: Nearly 6 million
Unique Features: Grand Canyon National Park is one of the world's natural wonders with its immense and visually overwhelming canyon, carved by the Colorado River. The geological history, vistas, and layered bands of red rock make it an unparalleled destination. -
Glacier National Park, Montana | Photo: ShutterstockSee MoreGlacier National Park, Montana
Location: Northern Montana, bordering Canada
Date Established: May 11, 1910
Annual Visitors: About 3 million
Unique Features: Known as the "Crown of the Continent," Glacier National Park boasts rugged mountains, pristine forests, and over 130 named lakes. With landscapes sculpted by ancient glaciers, it offers dramatic scenery and diverse wildlife habitats.
