The National Park Service was created by President Woodrow Wilson in 1916. According to the National Park Service, the first park to be designated as part of the program was Yellowstone National Park, it was done 44 years before the park services were created.
However, in the years that followed, dozens of other U.S. parks and monuments were given the same honor, and set aside as land that was to be kept undeveloped for the “enjoyment of the people.” Keep reading to find out how many national parks are in the U.S., where they are located, and some background about their origin.
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There are 63 national parks in the U.S.
According to the National Park Trips blog, there are 63 national parks in the U.S., and they are spread across 30 states and two different territories. California is home to the most national parks, with nine different National Park Services locations. In second place there’s Alaska, which is home to eight parks. After that Utah has five and Colorado has four.
Some of the country’s national parks are so large that they span across multiple states. That being said, there are 20 states that don’t have any national parks, and they include Alabama, Connecticut, and Delaware.
Many of the country’s national parks are better visited in the late spring and early fall
When you head to one of the country’s national parks, you’ll want to go during the time when you’ll be able to enjoy the best weather, visit the bulk of the park, and miss most of the crowds. Depending on what you want to do and see, that may mean traveling anytime from late spring, to early fall. However, before you head out, it’s important to double check the status of the park on the National Park Services website to ensure that the park is open for visitors.
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Some of the national parks include:
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Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho): When you head to Yellowstone you can stop and see some iconic features of the park, which include Old Faithful, the parks numerous thermal springs, large wildlife populations (which include bison, elk, and wolves), waterfalls, and a landscape that seems to stretch on forever. The best time to visit this park usually includes late spring and early fall.
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Yosemite National Park (California): Visitors here can check out some of the park’s beautiful and naturally occurring rock formations, like El Capitan and the Half Dome, waterfalls, sequoia trees, and hiking trails. Head to this park in the late spring or September and October to enjoy the good weather while still avoiding the massive crowds that come out each year.
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Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona): The obvious draw here is the stunning views of the canyon, however visitors can also do things like raft on the Colorado river and hike below the rim of the canyon. Visit between March and May, or September and October to avoid the heat.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee, North Carolina): The Great Smoky Mountains offer stunning views of the treelined, which can appear blue from a distance. Additionally, this national park is home to exciting wildlife like black bears, and historic homesteads. Late spring and fall are the best times to check out the views if you want to avoid the humidity of summer and the snow in the winter.
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Glacier National Park (Montana): Another park that provides just as many opportunities to watch wildlife as it does to enjoy the scenery, visitors to Glacier National Park can enjoy everything from mountain goats to the beauty of the park’s turquoise lakes. July through September is the ideal time to visit the park, especially if you want to drive the scenic 50 mile stretch of the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
This story was originally published by TravelHost on Nov 26, 2025, where it first appeared in the Attractions section. Add TravelHost as a Preferred Source by clicking here.