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  4. List of 61 National Parks of the United States Activities, Information, and Resources

The United States has 61 protected areas known as national parks that are operated by the National Park Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior. An act of the United States Congress must establish national parks. A bill creating the first national park, Yellowstone, was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872, followed by Mackinac National Park in 1875, and then Rock Creek Park, Sequoia and Yosemite in 1890.

PLAY, LEARN AND HAVE FUN!

61 U.S. National Parks
88 U.S. National Monuments
19 U.S. National Preserves
51 U.S. National Historic Parks
78 U.S. National Historic Sites
1 U.S. International Historic Site
4 U.S. National Battlefield Parks
9 U.S. National Military Parks
11 U.S. National Battlefields
1 National Battlefield Site
29 National Memorials
18 National Recreation Areas
10 National Seashores
3 National Lakeshores
15 National Rivers
2 National Reserves
4 National Parkways
3 National Trails
11 other sites including the National Mall and National Capital Parks

Free Entrance Days in the National Parks

  • January: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
  • April: First day of National Park Week
  • June: Juneteenth National Independence Day
  • August: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
  • September: National Public Lands Day
  • November: Veterans Day

For a Total of 417 U.S. National Parks, Sites and Monuments

Download the National Park Service Index, a complete administrative listing of the National Park System’s areas and related areas. It has been revised to reflect congressional actions. The entries, grouped by state, include administrative addresses and phone numbers, dates of authorization and establishment, boundary change dates, acreages, website addresses, and brief statements explaining the areas’ national significance. This book is not intended as a guide for park visitors. There is no information regarding campgrounds, trails, visitor services, hours, etc. Those needing such information should go to each park’s website, accessible through the National Park Service home page: www.nps.gov

Next, download the trip planning guide and checklist. Make your fun adventure a safe one too! No one plans to get hurt while out exploring in a National Park. However, nature is unpredictable, structures are historical, and your equipment can unexpectedly fail. Planning can be the key to a fun and safe adventure. Remember, safety starts with you!

pdfLeave No Trace Activity Playbook

pdfLeave No Trace - Short Answer Questions Glacier National Park Activity

pdfA National Park Service Index 2012-2016

pdfTrip Planning Guide National Park Service


 

Read More:
National Park Service

Video: Every Kid in a Park

National Park Finder App

iPhone, iPad, or iPod
Android Devices

National Park Finder App

"Explore, Learn, and Protect!" The Junior Ranger motto is recited by children around the country; each taking an oath of their own to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share their own ranger story with friends and family.

Outdoor Participation

Running, including jogging and trail running, was the most popular activity among Americans when measured by both number of participants and by number of total annual outings.

Walking for fitness was the most popular crossover activity. 45.8% of all outdoor participants also walked.

Adults who were introduced to the outdoors as children were more likely to participate in outdoor activities during adulthood than those who were not exposed to the outdoors as children. 38% of adults who were introduced to the outdoors during childhood grew up to enjoy outdoor activities as adults. Only 17% of adults who do not currently participate in any outdoor activities had outdoor experiences as children.

Adventure Activity Resources

All downloads in this category include Junior Ranger activity books available in each state park. Explore additional subcategories with activities to download for special exhibits, events and National Park Service programs. Be sure to check out other articles in this section for links to resources, information and videos.

 Public Downloads

All items are free to view, share, and download.

Public Downloads - Español (Spanish)

When available, we provide all our content with a Spanish version in our public download section. You can find additional material from sources listed in all our articles.

 Playlist: National Park

The Brown Bears of Katmai National Park, Alaska
Visit the full multicam experience: http://goo.gl/94YYuf Subscribe:...
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Ranger Dave - Katmai National Park - Brown Bear Play By Play
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Brown Bear Play By Play - Ranger's Mike and Dave - Katmai National Park - Episode 01
Ranger's Mike and Dave give us a live play by play of the Brown Bear...
Brown Bear Play By Play - Ranger Mike Fitz - Katmai National Park - Episode 03
Ranger Mike Fitz's play by play analysis of the Brooks Falls Brown Bear...
Brown Bear Play By Play - Ranger Mike Fitz - Katmai National Park - Episode 05
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Explore parks with confidence after understanding these basic...
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These amazing rangers work hard to make sure Brooks Camp remain free....
89 Backpack outside of the Brooks Camp Visitor Center
Bears often walk by the Brooks Camp Visitor Center. Believe it or not,...

The Brown Bears of Katmai National Park, Alaska

Visit the full multicam experience: http://goo.gl/94YYuf
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http://www.explore.org - Learn more about the hunting behaviors and movements of Brown Bears as Ranger Roy of ...

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