Which state in the U.S. has the highest percentage of land covered in state parks and national parks? Many assume that the state with the most land would take the top spot, but the state with the highest percentage is actually one of the smallest in the country!
This interactive map compares the total acreage of each state with the combined acreage of both state and national parks to determine each state’s ranking. Not every state in the U.S. has a national park within its borders, but they make up for it with many state parks for residents to explore and enjoy.
Which State Has the Highest Percentage of State and National Park Coverage?
The state with the highest percentage of state and national park coverage is Hawaii, with parks covering 9.41% of the state’s 4,134,000 acres. Its 50 state parks cover 30,000 acres, while the two national parks in Hawaii make up 358,870 acres.
The state that ranked last was Kansas, with just 0.06% of the state’s 52,660,000 acres made up of 26 state parks (32,000 acres) and 0 national parks.
What Is the Difference Between a State Park and a National Park?
The biggest difference between a state park and a national park is the governing body that oversees them. State parks are operated by state governments and national parks by the federal government. State parks also often have more amenities to offer than national parks.
Both state and national parks are deemed protected lands in order to preserve their natural beauty, historical or scientific importance, or recreational potential.
Which States Have the Most State Parks?
California has the most state parks in the country, with 270. There are a total of 3,729 state parks in the United States, with 11 states having more than 100 state parks each. Rhode Island comes in last with just 15 state parks.
Top 10 States With the Most State Parks
- California: 270
- New York: 215
- Washington: 212
- Oregon: 195
- Florida: 191
- Massachusetts: 154
- Illinois: 142
- Pennsylvania: 121
- Alaska: 119
- Connecticut: 109
What Is the State With the Most National Parks?
That state with the most national parks is California, with nine of the nation’s 61 national parks within its borders. The total acreage of these nine national parks in California is more than 6.3 million acres.
States With the Most National Parks
- California: 9
- Alaska: 8
- Utah: 5
- Colorado: 4
- Washington, Florida, and Arizona (tied): 3
U.S. States Ranked by State and National Park Coverage: The Infographic
The infographic below takes an in-depth look at each state’s total coverage of state parks and national parks, and how the state’s ranking was determined by acreage. You’ll also discover the ten states with the most state parks, all of which boast an impressive 100+ parks, as well as the seven states with the most national parks within their borders.
Click to view the full-size infographic
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