National Parks in the US: How Many Are There and Which is the Best Among Them?

National parks are known as vast land areas set aside by a national government for the purpose of preserving wildlife and the natural environment. In the United States, national parks are owned by the federal government and protected both by national and state authorities.

These natural sites serve as habitats for local flora and fauna, protecting them against threats posed by human activities rampant in population centers.

National Parks in the US range from Alaska to the Lower 48 states such as California which has a total of nine national park sites, including the Yosemite National Park. Meanwhile, the Yellowstone National Park in the western US covers several states, ranging from northwest Wyoming into Montana and Idaho. In addition, the Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona is also a popular site in the country.

National Parks in the US

National parks in the US are widely recognized for their amazing wildlife and captivating natural beauty. There is a total of 63 national parks in the US with a designation of "National Park" out of a total of 425 national park sites. As part of the country's National Park System, the rest of the sites fall into different categories like national historic sites, national seashores, national monuments, national recreation areas, and others.

Aside from the best US national parks mentioned earlier such as Yosemite, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon, there are other honorable mentions deserving to be on the list. Below are some of them:

• Great Smoky Mountains National Park in Tennessee
• Congaree National Park in South Carolina
• Big Bend National Park in Texas
• Glacier National Park in Montana
• Acadia National Park in Maine
• Death Valley National Park in Nevada

Among these natural wonders, Yellowstone National Park was designated by former President Ulysses Grant in 1872 as the country and the world's first national park. Outside the US, Australia is known for having more than 500 national parks, which have also been established in China, Thailand, India, Mexico, Brazil, and others.

Threats to US National Parks

National parks also exist in other countries worldwide, where wild animals and plants receive protection. However, despite the preservation and security received by national park systems, there are still factors that can disrupt the balance and tranquillity provided by these sites. According to experts, humans still pose a major threat to national parks, in addition to invasive species, climate change, and pollution.

National parks in current times are threatened by many factors, as said earlier. During an article in August 2023, Ellen Montgomery, from Environment America Research & Policy Center, stated that threats to US national parks include drilling, logging, and mining near park borders. In addition, air and water pollution also contaminate parks, as well as human waste left by some visitors of national parks.