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.

When it comes to the sheer volume of parklands, California consistently holds the title for having the most parks in the United States. It leads the nation with 9 National Parks, including world-famous destinations like Yosemite, Joshua Tree, and Death Valley. Additionally, California boasts an expansive system of 270 State Parks, covering over 1.3 million acres of diverse terrain ranging from redwood forests to pristine coastlines and arid deserts. While some might point to Alaska for having the largest total acreage of national parkland (over 50 million acres), California remains the leader in the total number of distinct state and national park units available to the public. This abundance of parks is a reflection of the state's vast geographic diversity and its long-standing commitment to environmental conservation and outdoor recreation. Other high-ranking states include Florida and New York for state parks, and Alaska and Utah for national parks, but California remains the overall champion for travelers seeking the highest variety of protected natural spaces in a single state.