The United States has 61 protected areas known as national parks that are operated by the National Park Service, an agency of the Department of the Interior. An act of the United States Congress must establish national parks. A bill creating the first national park, Yellowstone, was signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant in 1872, followed by Mackinac National Park in 1875, and then Rock Creek Park, Sequoia and Yosemite in 1890.
PLAY, LEARN AND HAVE FUN!
61 U.S. National Parks 88 U.S. National Monuments 19 U.S. National Preserves 51 U.S. National Historic Parks 78 U.S. National Historic Sites 1 U.S. International Historic Site 4 U.S. National Battlefield Parks 9 U.S. National Military Parks 11 U.S. National Battlefields |
1 National Battlefield Site 29 National Memorials 18 National Recreation Areas 10 National Seashores 3 National Lakeshores 15 National Rivers 2 National Reserves 4 National Parkways 3 National Trails 11 other sites including the National Mall and National Capital Parks |
For a Total of 417 U.S. National Parks, Sites and Monuments
Download the National Park Service Index, a complete administrative listing of the National Park System’s areas and related areas. It has been revised to reflect congressional actions. The entries, grouped by state, include administrative addresses and phone numbers, dates of authorization and establishment, boundary change dates, acreages, website addresses, and brief statements explaining the areas’ national significance. This book is not intended as a guide for park visitors. There is no information regarding campgrounds, trails, visitor services, hours, etc. Those needing such information should go to each park’s website, accessible through the National Park Service home page: www.nps.gov
Next, download the trip planning guide and checklist. Make your fun adventure a safe one too! No one plans to get hurt while out exploring in a National Park. However, nature is unpredictable, structures are historical, and your equipment can unexpectedly fail. Planning can be the key to a fun and safe adventure. Remember, safety starts with you!
Leave No Trace Activity Playbook
Leave No Trace - Short Answer Questions Glacier National Park Activity
A National Park Service Index 2012-2016
Trip Planning Guide National Park Service
National Park Finder App
iPhone, iPad, or iPod
Android Devices

"Explore, Learn, and Protect!" The Junior Ranger motto is recited by children around the country; each taking an oath of their own to protect parks, continue to learn about parks, and share their own ranger story with friends and family.
Video: Every Kid in a Park
A Youth Educator’s Guide to Leave No Trace Activities, Games, and Experiential Curriculum
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
The Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics protects the outdoors by teaching and inspiring people to enjoy it responsibly. The Center accomplishes this mission by delivering cutting-edge education and research to millions of people every year.
Read More: LNT.org
Cook Fun Things
Kids love to be involved cooking their own food that can be cooked at the end of a stick. Introduce your kids to the camping tradition of roasting marshmallows and cooking hot dogs over a fire. Cooking in Camp for more tips, tricks and recipes for meals.
Camping Trip Safety Series
- Know Your Limits
- Plan Your Trip
- Park Requirements and Regulations
- In Case of Emergency
- Prepare – Gear Up!
Keep Your Pet Safe Too
If camping with your pet, be sure to follow these guidelines:
- Always keep your pet restrained.
- Check your pet for ticks.
- Do not leave your pet in a closed vehicle.
- If you are camping in bear country, camping with dogs can be more dangerous than elsewhere. Dogs can attract curious bears, and the interaction often leads to conflict, which can put your pet and you in danger.
Read More: Camping with Pets
Respect Wildlife
Follow these basic guidelines to ensure the safety of you and animals in the park with respect to wildlife:
- Do NOT feed wildlife under any circumstances. Feeding wildlife creates an expectation that they can receive food from you (and other campers) in the future. This can make them persistent and sometimes violent, and may attract wildlife to your site.
- Avoid contact with wildlife. While it is certainly tempting to approach wildlife, this can be very dangerous.
- Keep safe viewing distances. When watching wildlife, make sure to keep a safe distance. Your park may or may not have recommended viewing distances regarding certain wildlife.
Avoid attracting wildlife to your campsite with the following methods:
- Keep food secured in airtight containers. Not only will it be fresher, it will attract less unwanted attention from wildlife.
- Keep your food out of reach of wildlife. Generally, food can be stored in your car, but certain campgrounds may require the use of food storage lockers or other means of keeping food out of reach of wildlife.
- Keep your campsite clean. Collect any food packaging and food scraps in a waste bag and dispose of the waste in the campground's receptacle before you leave the camp or turn in for the night.
- Do not feed wildlife. Not only will they become more aggressive toward you, they will be more likely to be a nuisance for campers who use the site after you.
- Do not take food inside your tent. While it's tempting to have that midnight snack on hand, it will attract wildlife.
Outdoor Participation
Running, including jogging and trail running, is the most popular activity among Americans when measured by both number of participants and by number of total annual outings.
Walking for fitness is the most popular crossover activity: 45.8% of all outdoor participants also walk.
Adults who were introduced to the outdoors as children were more likely to participate in outdoor activities during adulthood than those who were not exposed to the outdoors as children. Studies show that 38% of adults who were introduced to the outdoors during childhood grew up to enjoy outdoor activities as adults. While only 17% of adults who do not currently participate in any outdoor activities had outdoor experiences as children.
Adventure Activity Resources
All downloads in this category include Junior Ranger activity books available in each state park. Explore additional subcategories with activities to download for special exhibits, events and National Park Service programs. Be sure to check out other articles in this section for links to resources, information and videos.
Public Downloads
All items are free to view, share, and download.
Public Downloads - Español (Spanish)
When available, we provide all our content with a Spanish version in our public download section. You can find additional material from sources listed in all our articles.
Download Environmental and Educational Activity Guides, Information, and Resources
A National Park Service Index 2012-2016
All Seasons Safety Activity Book
An Overview of Nature eBook
Book of Stuff To Do
Do Not Feed Wildlife Poster
Environmental Games and Activities
Finding My Forest Tools to Re-connect with Nature Education Activity Guide
Leave No Trace Activity Playbook
Spend Time in Nature Parent Guide
Download National Park Service Activities, Information, and Resources
The National Park Service offers a range of outdoor recreational opportunities and activities for visitors to experience and enjoy their public lands.
All National Registry of Natural Landmarks Listing by State and County
Ask a Ranger Getting Lost - Find Your Park
Ask a Ranger Wild Animals - Find Your Park
Ask a Ranger 10 Essentials - Find Your Park
Do Not Feed Wildlife Poster
Every Kid in a Park Logo
Frederick Douglass Hat National Park Service Teaching with Museum Collections Lesson Plan
History of the National Park Service from Wikipedia
History of Women In the National Park Service
Introduction to World Heritage
Maggie L. Walker National Historic Site Youth Summer Leadership Institute Flyer
Map Learning Park Symbols
Map of Recreational Visitors at each National Park
Map of Yellowstone National Park
National Park Service Definitions for Fire and Wildfire
National Parks and Federal Recreational Lands Passes
The First Lady Celebrates the National Park Service Find Your Park
The Roland W Robbins Excavations 1948-1953 Massachusetts Archaeology Saugus Iron Works eBook
Trip Planning Guide National Park Service
Washington DC National Mall Map
Download National Park Activity Sheets
1968 Wild and Scenic Rivers Act Classroom Investigation Activities
Activity Page Match the Animal Paw Prints
Alphabet Forests and Trees Coloring Book
Arizona Junior Ranger Habitat Crossword
Be Bear Aware Activity
Bear Aware Coloring Book
California Gold Word Puzzle - Activity Page
California Gold Word Puzzle - Answer Sheet
Every Kid in a Park Citizen Science Activity Sheets
Every Kid in a Park Environmental Stewardship Activity Sheets
Every Kid in a Park Exploring Federal Lands and Waters Activity Sheets
Every Kid in a Park Our Nation’s Native Peoples Activity Sheets
Finding My Forest Tools to Re-connect with Nature Education Activity Guide
Flag Puzzle Connect the Dots
George Washington Carver Coloring and Activity Book
Lion Dance Coloring Page
Match Baskets Coloring Page
Missouri Junior Ranger Harry S Truman National Historic Site Word Search
New York Fort Stanwix National Monument Puzzle Worksheets
Star Gazing Activities
Toad Coloring Sheet
Wild and Scenic Rivers 1968-2018 Flyer Coloring Sheet
Wildflower Homestead National Monument of America Coloring Book
Download National Park Bear Activities and eBooks
Be Bear Aware Activity
Bear Aware Coloring Book
Bear Safety Information for National Park Lands
Bears of Brooks River 2015 Alaska Katmai National Park and Preserve eBook
Bears of Brooks River 2016 Alaska Katmai National Park and Preserve eBook
Bears of Brooks River 2017 Alaska Katmai National Park and Preserve eBook
Bears of Brooks River 2018 Alaska Katmai National Park and Preserve eBook
Bears of Brooks River 2018Alaska Katmai National Park and Preserve eBook
Bears of Brooks River 2019 Alaska Katmai National Park and Preserve eBook
Do Not Feed Wildlife Poster
Witness First Hand Accounts of the Largest Volcanic Eruption of the 20th Century
Download National Park Brochures and Handouts
Brochure Bear Paw Battlefield Map
Brochure California Fishing
Brochure Every Kid in a Park National Park Service
Brochure How to Become a California State Parks Volunteer
Brochure Scout Ranger Program National Park Service
Civil War to Civil Rights Trading Cards Park List
Download National Park Fishing Activities and Identification Handouts
15 Awesome Alaska Fish Coloring Book
Alaska Sport Fishing Guide
Fish Identification for Common Fish Species
Fish Identification for Common Fish Species PowerPoint
Fishing ABC Coloring Book
Freshwater Fish Consumption Video
Guide to Salmon Identification and Fishing
Let's Go Fishing National Park Service Junior Ranger Activity Book
Mercury Fish Consumption Video
Salmon Lifecycle Coloring Book
Saltwater Fish Consumption Video
Shellfish Consumption Video
Tropical Fish Consumption Video
Download National Park Fishing Activities and Identification Handouts
A List of Links to Find Junior Ranger Pages for Specific Parks
A List of National Trail Junior Ranger Programs
Address and Contact Junior Ranger Badges and Patches
Find Junior Ranger Pages for Specific Parks
Find Junior Ranger Pages for Specific Parks
Independent State of Samoa Junior Ranger National Park of American Samoa Activity Book Samoan Version
Independent State of Samoa Junior Ranger National Park of American Samoa English Activity Book
Junior Ranger Book Morse Code
Junior Ranger Certificate Printing Guide
NASA Spaceflight Explorer Junior Ranger Activity Book
United States Territory of Guam Junior Ranger War In The Pacific National Historical Park Activity Book
Where to Request Badges and Patches
Download Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Park Activities, Information, and Resources
Buffalo Soldier Harold Warren Jr. Interview
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Group Photo
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Jr-Ranger-Badge-CMS
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Junior Ranger Challenging Puzzle
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Junior Ranger Challenging Puzzle Answer Key
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Junior Ranger Challenging Puzzle Clues
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Junior Ranger Challenging Puzzle Clues Answer Key
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Junior Ranger Crossword Puzzle
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers Junior Ranger Crossword Puzzle Answer Key
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument Official Introductory Film
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers National Monument Official Introductory Film Image
Charles Young Buffalo Soldiers WebQuest Quiz Worksheet
Download Glacier National Park Activities, Exhibit, Audio, and Images
Enjoy some of the best places and views of Glacier National Park: Going-To-The-Sun Road, Highline Trail, Grinnell Glacier Trail, Scenic Point Trail, Iceberg Lake Trail.
Download Glacier National Park Activities
Answer Key Glacier National Park Activities
Disappearing Glaciers - Connect the Dots Glacier National Park Activity
Four Nations - Matching Game Glacier National Park Activity
Glacier Bay Bears Sea Lions Gulls and Jays Coloring Sheet 2
Glacier Bay Mountains Streams Eagles and Salmon Coloring Sheet 3
Glacier Bay Outdoor Fun on the Water Coloring Sheet 1
Glacier National Park East Tunnel Video
Glacier National Park Oberlin Bend Video
Glacier Plants and Animals from A to Z Glacier National Park
Glacier Wildlife Coloring Book Glacier National Park
GlacierRaw - Bighorn Sheep Video
GlacierRaw - Bull Moose Video
GlacierRaw - Mountain Goat Kids Video
Habitats are Homes - Matching Activity Glacier National Park Activity
Leave No Trace - Short Answer Questions Glacier National Park Activity
Living Lightly - Crossword Puzzle Glacier National Park Activity
Making Peace - Short Answer Glacier National Park Activity
Montana Junior Ranger Glacier National Park Activity Book
Moving Through Glacier's History - Fill in the Blanks Glacier National Park Activity
Native Names - Cryptogram Glacier National Park Activity
Native Names - Word Search Glacier National Park Activity
Plants and Animals From the Alphabet Coloring Book Glacier National Park
See America First - Maze Glacier National Park Activity
Tree Coloring Book Glacier National Park
Tree Key 13 Different Conifers in Glacier National Park
Web Rangers National Park Service Wrangell-St Elias Activity Book
Wildflower and Shrub Coloring Book Glacier National Park
Wise About Wildlife - Fill in the Blank Glacier National Park Activity
Download Glacier National Park Exhibit
A Wildlife Superpowers Exhibit Glacier National Park Video
Glacier National Park Exhibit Audio and Images
Glacier National Park Exhibit Audio Files
Glacier National Park Exhibit Images
Download Glacier National Park Audio
Cliff Hangers Audio File Description
Cliff Hangers Audio File More About Goats
Head Bangers Audio File Description
Head Bangers Audio File More About Sheep
Meadow Excavator Audio File Description
Meadow Excavator Audio File More About Grizzlies
Mountain Explorer Audio File Description
Mountain Explorer Audio File More About Wolverines
Super Hider Audio File Description
Super Hider Audio File More About Ptarmigan
Super Reapers Audio File Description
Super Reapers Audio File More About Pika
Super Seekers Audio File Description
Super Seekers Audio File More About Weasels
Super Sleeper Audio File Description
Super Sleeper Audio File More About Marmots
Download Glacier National Park Images
Cliff Hangers Wayside Glacier National Park Exhibit
Head Bangers Wayside Glacier National Park Exhibit
Meadow Excavator Wayside Glacier National Park Exhibit
Mountain Explorer Wayside Glacier National Park Exhibit
Super Hider Wayside Glacier National Park Exhibit
Super Reapers Wayside Glacier National Park Exhibit
Super Seekers Wayside Glacier National Park Exhibit
Super Sleeper Wayside Glacier National Park Exhibit