# National park dates Checked 8 September 2026. Years refer to the event stated, not the age of the landscape or its human history. Authorization, establishment, redesignation, and dedication can occur in different years. A date does not describe every part of today’s park boundary. ## Acadia **1919 — national park status as Lafayette National Park.** It became Lafayette National Park in 1919 and took the name Acadia in 1929. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/acad/learn/historyculture/founding.htm). ## American Samoa **1988 — national park authorized.** Congress authorized this park in 1988. Its land is leased from local landowners; the date does not describe the beginning of Samoan history. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Arches **1971 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/arch/learn/historyculture/founders.htm). ## Badlands **1978 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Big Bend **1944 — established as a national park.** Authorization in 1935 came before establishment in 1944. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/bibe/learn/management/statistics.htm). ## Biscayne **1980 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/bisc/learn/management/enabling-legislation.htm). ## Black Canyon of the Gunnison **1999 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/blca/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Bryce Canyon **1928 — named Bryce Canyon National Park.** The earlier monument became Utah National Park in 1924; the name Bryce Canyon National Park followed in 1928. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/brca/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Canyonlands **1964 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Capitol Reef **1971 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Carlsbad Caverns **1930 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/cave/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Channel Islands **1980 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/chis/faqs.htm). ## Congaree **2003 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Crater Lake **1902 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/crla/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Cuyahoga Valley **2000 — redesignated as a national park.** The earlier national recreation area became a national park in 2000. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/cuva/faqs.htm). ## Death Valley **1994 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/deva/learn/death-valley-then-and-now.htm). ## Denali **1917 — established as Mount McKinley National Park.** The original park was named Mount McKinley National Park. The larger Denali National Park and Preserve followed in 1980. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Dry Tortugas **1992 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/drto/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Everglades **1947 — national park established; authorized in 1934.** Congress authorized a park in 1934. Establishment and dedication followed in 1947. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/ever/learn/historyculture/parkestablish.htm). ## Gates of the Arctic **1980 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Gateway Arch **2018 — redesignated as a national park.** The earlier Jefferson National Expansion Memorial became Gateway Arch National Park in 2018. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/jeff/faqs.htm). ## Glacier **1910 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/glac/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Glacier Bay **1980 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/glba/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Grand Canyon **1919 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/grca/faqs.htm). ## Grand Teton **1929 — original national park established.** The original 1929 park and Jackson Hole National Monument were combined in 1950. This year does not date the full present-day boundary. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/grte/learn/management/index.htm). ## Great Basin **1986 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/grba/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Great Sand Dunes **2004 — established as a national park.** National park status followed in 2004, after the earlier national monument and the 2000 authorization for an expanded park and preserve. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/grsa/faqs.htm). ## Great Smoky Mountains **1934 — established as a national park.** Authorization in 1926 came before establishment in 1934. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/grsm/faqs.htm). ## Guadalupe Mountains **1972 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/gumo/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Haleakalā **1961 — became a separate national park.** The 1960 law specified a separate park effective July 1, 1961. This area had previously been part of Hawaii National Park. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/management/19600913_fed_law.htm). ## Hawaiʻi Volcanoes **1916 — established as part of Hawaii National Park.** Hawaii National Park was created in 1916. The Hawaii Island park took its current name in 1961 after Haleakala became separate. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/havo/learn/management/19600913_fed_law.htm). ## Hot Springs **1921 — established as a national park.** The federal reservation began in 1832; national park status followed in 1921. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/hosp/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Indiana Dunes **2019 — redesignated as a national park.** The earlier national lakeshore took the designation national park in 2019. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/indu/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Isle Royale **1940 — established as a national park.** Authorization in 1931 came before establishment in 1940. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/isro/learn/management/statistics.htm). ## Joshua Tree **1994 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/jotr/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Katmai **1980 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Kenai Fjords **1980 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Kings Canyon **1940 — established as a national park.** Kings Canyon National Park incorporated the earlier General Grant National Park in 1940. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Kobuk Valley **1980 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/kova/faqs.htm). ## Lake Clark **1980 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Lassen Volcanic **1916 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Mammoth Cave **1941 — established as a national park.** Authorization in 1926 came before establishment in 1941. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/maca/learn/management/statistics.htm). ## Mesa Verde **1906 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/meve/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Mount Rainier **1899 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/mora/faqs.htm). ## New River Gorge **2020 — redesignated as a national park.** The 2020 law changed the earlier national river into a national park and preserve. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/aboutus/recent-changes.htm). ## North Cascades **1968 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Olympic **1938 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/olym/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Petrified Forest **1962 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Pinnacles **2013 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Redwood **1968 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/redw/faqs.htm). ## Rocky Mountain **1915 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Saguaro **1994 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/sagu/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Sequoia **1890 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/seki/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Shenandoah **1935 — established as a national park.** Authorized in 1926, established in 1935 and dedicated in 1936: these describe different events. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/shen/faqs.htm). ## Theodore Roosevelt **1978 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/thro/faqs.htm). ## Virgin Islands **1956 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Voyageurs **1975 — established as a national park.** Authorization in 1971 came before establishment in 1975. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/voya/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## White Sands **2019 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Wind Cave **1903 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Wrangell–St. Elias **1980 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Yellowstone **1872 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/historyculture/index.htm). ## Yosemite **1890 — established as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/subjects/npscelebrates/park-annivesaries.htm). ## Zion **1919 — redesignated as a national park.** The year describes national park status. Human history and the natural landscape are much older. [National Park Service](https://www.nps.gov/zion/learn/historyculture/index.htm).