Thirty states and two U.S. territories have a total of 63 national parks. California has the most with nine, followed by Alaska with eight, Utah with five, and Colorado with four. The newest national parks are New River Gorge National Park established on Dec.

The state that contains the most national parks is California, which boasts a total of nine official National Parks as of 2026. These parks cover an incredibly diverse range of ecosystems, from the towering granite cliffs and waterfalls of Yosemite to the surreal desert landscapes of Joshua Tree and Death Valley. Other parks in the state include the massive ancient trees of Sequoia and Kings Canyon, the volcanic wonders of Lassen Volcanic, the coastal beauty of Channel Islands, the pristine forests of Redwood, and the unique dunes of Pinnacles. Following California, Alaska holds the second-place spot with eight national parks, though Alaska's parks are significantly larger in terms of total acreage. For a traveler in 2026, California’s variety makes it a premier destination for "park hopping," as you can transition from the highest point in the contiguous U.S. near Sequoia to the lowest point in North America in Death Valley within a few days of driving, all while staying within the protected confines of the National Park Service.