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The Great Count: Uncovering the Number of National Parks
National parks are like the best reality TV shows: diverse, dramatic, and can sometimes leave you a little breathless (especially if you’re hiking up a mountain).
And we absolutely adore them!
We’ve ticked off about 1/3 of these U.S. natural wonders from our bucket list, with grand plans to see the rest. Why, you ask? Because someone’s got to do it, and we’ve nominated ourselves as tribute.
So, if you’re itching to know just how many pockets of paradise exist out there and where you can find them, you’re in the right place.
Stick with us as we guide you through the where’s, the what’s, and the how many’s, one park at a time.
How Many National Parks Are There In The U.S.
Drumroll, please… As of this very moment, the U.S. is the proud parent of 63 sparkling national parks.
But, plot twist, this number is about as stable as my diet on Thanksgiving.
Every so often, Congress gets a wild urge and decides, “Hey, why not add another?” making that 63 as potentially outdated as my original flip phone.
These parks cover over 84 million acres, ranging from the towering sequoias of California to the rugged shorelines of Maine.
And because they’re spread across 29 states and two territories, there’s always something new to explore.
Just remember, the count of 63 national parks could very well be the minimum by the time you’re adventuring through one, thanks to our country’s never-ending quest to preserve natural beauty and history.
But I Sometimes Hear A Number Like 423, What’s That About
Ah, the magical number 423, which, in this case, has nothing to do with what you’re probably thinking. And just FYI, the number is actually 430 as of now.
That larger number, my dear Watson, refers to the total count of national park SITES.
This includes not only the VIPs (the national parks) but also the supporting cast—national monuments, preserves, historical sites, battlefields, and scenic trails, to name just a few.
Think of it as the extended family gathering where everyone’s invited, from Great Aunt Eunice (the historical park telling you stories from the “old days”) to your third cousin twice removed who thinks he’s royalty (the pompous yet magnificent national monument).
This expansive family reunites under the big umbrella of the National Park Service, which is kind of like the overly ambitious parent that insists on celebrating every single achievement of its kids, no matter how small.
With 430 sites to choose from, you could literally spend every weekend at a different location and still not see them all within a decade. Talk about an endless adventure waiting to happen, right?
Significance Of National Parks
National parks aren’t just stunning desktop backgrounds or heroic settings for your social stories; they’re the superheroes of the natural world.
They guard against the kryptonite of development and pollution, ensuring vast expanses of wilderness and history are preserved for future generations of both humans and wildlife.
These natural fortresses offer an escape hatch from the relentless pace of modern life, inviting everyone to swap Wi-Fi for wildflowers.
For the animals, they’re like exclusive gated communities, critical for maintaining biodiversity.
And economically speaking, they’re not too shabby either. Tourists flock to these scenic wonders, generously contributing to local economies.
It’s a win-win-win scenario, with nature, humans, and animals all thriving together.
U.S. National Park Locations
Curious about where to find those 63 glorious declarations of natural splendor? Fear not, for we’ve meticulously charted their whereabouts, neatly categorized by state, for your planning (or daydreaming) convenience.
Alaska:
American Samoa:
Arizona:
Arkansas:
California:
Colorado:
Florida:
Hawaii:
Indiana:
Kentucky:
Maine:
Michigan:
Minnesota:
Missouri:
Montana:
Nevada:
New Mexico:
North Carolina:
North Dakota:
Ohio:
Oregon:
South Carolina:
South Dakota:
Texas:
Utah:
Virgin Islands:
Virginia:
Washington:
West Virginia:
Wyoming:
How Many National Parks Are There Around The World
If you thought the U.S. was flexing with its 63 national parks, the global stage is where the real party is at.
Picture this: more than 6,500 national parks sprinkled across over 100 countries!
Yeah, you read that right. We’re not just talking about a handful of trees and a pond here and there; we’re talking about millions of acres dedicated to the great outdoors worldwide.
It’s like every country got together and decided the planet needed a giant network of epic natural wonderlands. And honestly, who can blame them?
These parks protect biodiversity, support ecosystems, and give us all a place to pretend we’re part of a nature documentary.
Global conservation efforts are clearly on a roll, folks, and with over 6,500 reasons to get out and explore, our passports are about to be as well-traveled as a migratory bird.
Which Country Has The Most National Parks
And the award for the country with the most national parks goes to… Australia!
Down Under is not just about kangaroos and koalas; it’s home to a whopping 685 national parks.
Covering millions of acres, from the dusty red outback to lush rainforests and spectacular coastal views, Australia is practically showing off at this point.
So whether you’re snorkeling in the Great Barrier Reef or bushwalking through Kakadu, Australia’s got every type of natural wonder you could dream of.
Seriously, Australia, could you leave some beauty for the rest of us?
