US National Park Service

  • Acronym: NPS
  • American

The national park system comprises 401 areas covering more than 84 million acres in every state, the District of Columbia, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. These areas include national parks, monuments, battlefields, military parks, historical parks, historic sites, lakeshores, seashores, recreation areas, scenic rivers and trails, and the White House. - NPS

US National Historic Landmarks
National Historic Landmarks are nationally significant historic places designated by the Secretary of the Interior because they possess exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the heritage of the United States. Today, fewer than 3000 historic places bear this national distinction. Many buildings described are private and not open to the public. Please respect private property and privacy.
US National Registry of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation's historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service's National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America's historic and archeological resources. Most of the buildings and places on National Register of Historic Places are privately owned and not open to the public. Please respect private property and privacy.

What is the difference between a national park and a national monument?

The difference is in the way they are designated. National monuments are generally proclaimed by the President of the United States under authority granted in the 1906 Antiquities Act. National parks are created through Congressional legislation. They are all part of the same system and in 1970, Congress clarified and elaborated on the 1916 National Park Service Organic Act saying that all units in the system have equal legal standing. Park units have different designations depending on the type of park or a description of its resources (national park, national historical park, national historic site, national seashore, etc.).

President Theodore Roosevelt was the first President to use the Antiquities Act in 1906 to designate Devils Tower National Monument in Wyoming. It has been used by 16 presidents since then to protect unique natural and historic features in America, such as the Grand Canyon and the Statue of Liberty. - NPS


Timeline

Y/M/D Description Association Composition Place Locale Food Event
Y/M/D Description Association Composition Place Locale Food Event
Architect Sandbeach Lake Trail Meeker Park
Architect Wild Basin Ranger Station and House Rocky Mountain National Park
Architect Pleasant Historic District, Chopawamsic RDA Camp 4 Triangle
Architect Upper Windy Creek Ranger Cabin No 7 Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Bennett Spring State Park Shelter House and Water Gauge Station Bennett Spring State Park
Architect Hockett Meadow Ranger Station Silver City
Architect Thunder Lake Trail - Bluebird Lake Trail Rocky Mountain National Park
Architect Wild Basin House Rocky Mountain National Park
Architect Orenda SP-26 Historic District, Chopawamsic RDA Camp 3 Triangle
Architect Toklat Ranger Station-Pearson Cabin No 4 Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Mark Twain State Park Picnic Shelter at Buzzard's Roost Mark Twain State Park
Architect Horseshoe Lake Ranger Station Lassen Volcanic National Park
Architect Gem Lake Trail Estes Park
Architect Shadow Mountain Lookout Grand Lake
Architect Mawavi Historic District, Chopawamsic RDA Camp 2 Triangle
Architect Ewe Creek Ranger Cabin No 8 Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Arrow Rock State Historic Site Bridge Arrow Rock State Historic Site
Architect Shadow Mountain Trail Grand Lake
Architect Rocky Mountain National Park Utility Area Historic District Estes Park
Architect Goodwill Historic District, Chopawamsic RDA Camp 1 Triangle
Architect Lower East Fork Ranger Cabin No 9 Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Roaring River State Park Deer Leap Trail Cassville
Architect Moro Rock Stairway Sequoia National Park
Architect Lake Haiyaha Trail Estes Park
Architect Baltimore-Washington Parkway Cheverly
Architect Vaille, Agnes, Shelter Estes Park
Architect Grand Canyon North Rim Headquarters Grand Canyon NP - North Rim
Architect Meramec State Park Lookout House Observation Tower Sullivan
Architect Redwood Meadow Ranger Station Sequoia National Park
Architect Lost Lake Trail Estes Park
Architect Baltimore-Washington Parkway Baltimore, MD
Architect Saddlehorn Utility Area Historic District Colorado National Monument
Architect Bowman Lake Road Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Boulder Dam Park Museum Overton
Architect Meramec State Park Pump House Sullivan
Architect Summit Lake Ranger Station Mineral
Architect North Inlet Trail Grand Lake
Architect Baltimore-Washington Parkway Greenbelt
Architect Rim Rock Drive Historic District Colorado National Monument
Architect Cut Bank Ranger Station Historic District Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Yosemite Valley Bridges Yosemite National Park
Architect Meramec State Park Shelter House Sullivan
Architect Crane Flat Fire Lookout Yosemite National Park
Architect North Inlet Trail Rocky Mountain National Park
Architect Baltimore-Washington Parkway Bladensburg
Architect Pickett State Rustic Park Historic District Pickett State Park
Architect Headquarters Historic District Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Camp Greentop Historic District Thurmont
Architect Arrow Rock State Historic Site Lookout Shelter Arrow Rock State Historic Site
Architect Lake of the Ozarks Recreational Demonstration Area Barn, Garage in Kaiser Area Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Architect Willow Park Patrol Cabin Estes Park
Architect Tonahutu Creek Trail Grand Lake
Architect Jessie M Honeyman Memorial State Park Historic District Florence
Architect Standing Stone Rustic Park Historic District Livingston
Architect Many Glacier Barn and Bunkhouse Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Camp Misty Mount Historic District Thurmont
Architect Swiftcurrent Auto Camp Historic District Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Willow Park Stable Estes Park
Architect Tonahutu Creek Trail Rocky Mountain National Park
Architect Crater Lake Superintendent's Residence Crater Lake National Park
Architect Sibley State Park CCC Rustic Style Historic District Sibley State Park, MN
Architect Many Glacier Campground Camptender's Cabin Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Munson Valley Historic District (Boundary Decrease) Crater Lake National Park
Architect Upper Toklat River Cabin No 24 Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Ypsilon Lake Trail Estes Park
Architect Munson Valley Historic District Crater Lake National Park
Architect Lac qui Parle State Park WPA Rustic Style Historic District Montevideo
Architect Polebridge to Numa Ridge Phoneline Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Cedars of Lebanon State Park Historic District Lebanon
Architect Roaring River State Park Bath House Cassville
Architect Igloo Creek Cabin No 25 Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Fern Lake Patrol Cabin Estes Park
Architect Brooks River Historic Ranger Station Katmai National Park and Preserve
Architect Sinnott Memorial Building No 67 Crater Lake National Park
Architect Scenic State Park CCC Rustic Style Service Yard Bigfork
Architect Roes Creek Campground Camptender's Cabin Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Roaring River State Park Hotel Cassville
Architect Sanctuary River Cabin No 31 Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Fall River Entrance Historic District Estes Park
Architect Brooks Camp Boat House Katmai National Park and Preserve
Architect Watchman Lookout Station No 68 Crater Lake National Park
Architect Interstate State Park CCC WPA Rustic Style Campground Taylors Falls
Architect St Mary Utility Area Historic District Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Crowder State Park Vehicle Bridge Trenton
Architect Upper East Fork Cabin No 29 Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Bear Lake Comfort Station Rocky Mountain National Park
Architect East Inlet Trail Rocky Mountain National Park
Architect Comfort Station No 72 Crater Lake National Park
Architect Scenic State Park CCC WPA Rustic Style Historic Resources Bigfork
Architect Two Medicine Campground Camptender's Cabin Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Montserrat Recreation Demonstration Area Bridge Knob Noster State Park
Architect Painted Desert Inn Petrified Forest National Park
Architect Bear Lake Ranger Station Rocky Mountain National Park
Architect Fern Lake Trail Estes Park
Architect Banneker Recreation Center Washington, DC
Architect Lake Carlos State Park WPA Rustic Style Group Camp Carlos
Architect West Entrance Station Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Going-to-the-Sun Road Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Montserrat Recreational Demonstration Area Rock Bath House Knob Noster State Park
Architect Trans-Canyon Telephone Line, Grand Canyon National Park Grand Canyon NP - North Rim
Architect Wright Brothers National Memorial Kill Devil Hills
Architect Moraine Park Museum and Amphitheater Estes Park
Architect Suitland Parkway Washington, DC
Architect Jay Cooke State Park CCC WPA Rustic Style Service Yard Jay Cooke State Park
Architect Guilford Courthouse National Military Park Greensboro
Architect Montserrat Recreational Demonstration Area Warehouse 2 and Workshop Knob Noster State Park
Architect Trans-Canyon Telephone Line, Grand Canyon National Park Grand Canyon NP - South Rim
Architect Kootenai Creek Snowshoe Cabin Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Manzanita Lake Campground Comfort Station at Camp Store Lassen Volcanic National Park
Architect Suitland Parkway Suitland
Architect Jay Cooke State Park CCC WPA Rustic Style Picnic Grounds Jay Cooke State Park
Architect Bridge No 3355 - Kathio Township Kathio Township
Architect Roaring River State Park Shelter Kitchen No 2 and Rest Room Cassville
Architect Trans-Canyon Telephone Line, Grand Canyon National Park Grand Canyon
Architect Cattle Queen Snowshoe Cabin Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Manzanita Lake Campground Comfort Station, Loop C Lassen Volcanic National Park
Architect George Washington Memorial Parkway Cabin John
Architect Museum-Grotto Residence Zion National Park
Architect Bridge No 5265-Garrison Garrison
Architect Dam and Spillway in the Hatchery Area at Montauk State Park Salem
Architect Tumacacori National Monument Tumacacori-Carmen, AZ
Architect Sun Camp Fireguard Cabin Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Fall River Pump House and Catchment Basin Estes Park
Architect George Washington Memorial Parkway Arlington, VA
Architect Grotto Camping Ground South Comfort Station Zion National Park
Architect South Campground Comfort Station Zion National Park
Architect Camp Pin Oak Historic District Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Architect Montauk State Park Open Shelter Salem
Architect Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Wildwood
Architect Coal Creek Patrol Cabin Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Nichols Park Henryetta
Architect George Washington Memorial Parkway Langley
Architect Oak Creek Historic District Zion National Park
Architect Meramec State Park Beach Area Historic District Sullivan
Architect Arrow Rock State Historic Site Grave Shelter Arrow Rock State Historic Site
Architect Chickamauga and Chattanooga National Military Park Chattanooga
Architect Lincoln Creek Snowshoe Cabin Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Fort Matanzas NM Headquarters and Visitor Center St Augustine
Architect George Washington Memorial Parkway Washington, DC
Architect East Entrance Residence Zion National Park
Architect Logging Creek Ranger Station Historic District Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Arrow Rock State Historic Site Open Shelter Arrow Rock State Historic Site
Architect Lee Creek Snowshoe Cabin Glacier National Park, MT
Architect Washington Monument, Boonsboro Boonsboro, MD
Architect Old Administrative Area Historic District Grand Teton National Park
Architect East Rim Trail Zion National Park
Architect Van Meter State Park Combination Building Marshall
Architect Grand Loop Road Historic District Yellowstone National Park, MT, WY
Architect Jenny Lake Ranger Station Historic District Grand Teton National Park
Architect Bryce Canyon National Park Scenic Trails Historic District Bryce Canyon National Park
Architect Mount McKinley National Park Headquarters District Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Van Meter State Park Shelter Building Marshall
Architect Generals' Highway Stone Bridges Sequoia National Park
Architect Seashore State Park Historic District Virginia Beach
Architect Moose Entrance Kiosk Grand Teton National Park
Architect Under-the-Rim Trail Bryce Canyon National Park
Architect Ranger Station Jewel Cave National Monument
Architect Roaring River State Park Dam - Spillway Cassville
Architect Glacier Point Trailside Museum Yosemite National Park
Architect North Rim Road, Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park
Architect String Lake Comfort Station Grand Teton National Park
Architect National Park Service Housing, Old, Historic District Bryce Canyon National Park
Architect Fort Stanwix National Monument Rome
Architect Montserrat Recreation Demonstration Area Entrance Portal Knob Noster State Park
Architect Entrance Road - Devils Tower National Monument Devils Tower National Monument
Architect Perry Lake Park Perry
Architect White Grass Ranger Station Historic District Grand Teton National Park
Architect Rainbow Point Comfort Station and Overlook Shelter Bryce Canyon National Park
Architect Walasi-Yi Inn Blairsville
Architect Montserrat Recreation Demonstration Area Dam and Spillway Knob Noster State Park
Architect Pear Lake Ski Hut Sequoia National Park
Architect Schoodic Peninsula Historic District Acadia National Park
Architect Loop C Comfort Station Bryce Canyon National Park
Architect Lower Windy Creek Ranger Cabin No 15 Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Sugar Lake State Park Open Shelter Lewis and Clark State Park, MO
Architect Warner Valley Ranger Station Lassen Volcanic National Park
Architect Olympic National Park Headquarters Historic District Port Angeles
Architect Obsidian Cliff Kiosk Yellowstone National Park, MT, WY
Architect Loop D Comfort Station Bryce Canyon National Park
Architect Sushana River Ranger Cabin No 17 Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Lake of the Ozarks State Park Camp Clover Point Recreation Hall Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Architect Tuolumne Meadows Ranger Stations and Comfort Stations Yosemite National Park
Architect Olympus Guard Station Olympic National Park
Architect Jenny Lake CCC Camp NP-4 Grand Teton National Park
Architect Old Administration Building Bryce Canyon National Park
Architect Riley Creek Ranger Cabin No 20 Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Lake of the Ozarks Recreational Demonstration Area Shelter at McCubbin Point Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Architect Tuolumne Meadows Buildings Yosemite National Park
Architect Canyon Creek Shelter Olympic National Park
Architect Mesa Verde Administrative District Mesa Verde National Park
Architect Riggs Spring Fire Trail Bryce Canyon National Park
Architect Moose Creek Ranger Cabin No 19 Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Lake of the Ozarks Recreational Demonstration Area Rising Sun Shelter Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Architect Tioga Pass Entrance Station Yosemite National Park
Architect East Longs Peak Trail-Longs Peak Trail-Keyhole Route-Shelf Trail Allenspark
Architect Glacier Basin Campground Ranger Station Estes Park
Architect Horse Barn Bryce Canyon National Park
Architect Lower Toklat River Ranger Cabin No 18 Denali National Park and Preserve
Architect Lake of the Ozarks State Park Camp Rising Sun Recreation Hall Lake of the Ozarks State Park
Architect Cabin Creek Ranger Residence and Dormitory Sequoia National Park
Architect Flattop Mountain Trail Estes Park
1872/03/01 Bill establishing Yellowstone National Park is signed into law by Ulysses S Grant. Yellowstone National Park, MT, WY Wyoming
1872/03/01 Bill establishing Yellowstone National Park is signed into law by Ulysses S Grant. Yellowstone National Park, MT, WY Montana
1907/00/00 Bison ranch established Architect Lamar Buffalo Ranch Yellowstone National Park, MT, WY
1916/08/25 Woodrow Wilson signs the 'National Park Service Organic Act' creating the National Park Service. Established
1917/00/00 Administration of Muir Woods is transferred within the Department of Interior from the General Lands Office to the newly created National Park Service. Architect Muir Woods National Monument Golden Gate North - Golden Gate NRA
1930/00/00 Built Architect Mariposa Grove Museum Yosemite National Park
1934/00/00 Built Architect Merced Grove Ranger Station Yosemite National Park
1935/00/00 National Park Service restores Old Point Loma Lighthouse Architect Old Point Loma Lighthouse San Diego, CA
1935/00/00 Architect Northeast Entrance Station Yellowstone National Park, MT, WY
1935/00/00 National Park Service restores Old Point Loma Lighthouse Architect Old Point Loma Lighthouse Cabrillo National Monument
1949/04/09 The reconstructed McLean House, where Robert E Lee surrendered, opens to the public. Architect Appomattox Court House National Historical Park Appomattox, VA
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