Not all national monuments are established the same way. Some are created by presidents using the authority of the Antiquities Act. Congress also creates national monuments through the legislative process.

Yes, the President of the United States has the unique legal authority to create national monuments through the Antiquities Act of 1906. This landmark law allows the President to issue an executive order to protect "historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest" located on lands owned or controlled by the federal government. Unlike National Parks, which require a specific act of Congress to be established, National Monuments can be created quickly by the President to ensure immediate protection of vulnerable sites. Nearly every President since Theodore Roosevelt has used this power to safeguard iconic locations, including the Grand Canyon (which was a monument before becoming a park) and the Statue of Liberty. In 2026, this power remains a vital tool for environmental and cultural conservation, though it is often a subject of political debate regarding federal land management versus state and local interests. Once designated, these lands are typically managed by the National Park Service or the Bureau of Land Management.