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Parks, Reserves, and Other Protected Areas in the |
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United States of America
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U.S. Dependencies or Areas of Special Sovereignty
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Protected Areas in the United States of America
When first colonized by Europeans, North America was very much a wilderness, with a vast and largely undisturbed wealth of natural resources. The native Americans had a great respect for the natural environment, on which their livelihood, religion and culture were almost wholly dependent. For generations sacred areas had been respected by the tribes, entry forbidden, or such activities as hunting and fishing restricted, and in a number of locations this philosophy continues to the present day.
The evolution of the modern concept of protected area is generally regarded as having started in the State of Georgia which boasted a reserve for public use as early as 1825. However, there is some evidence which traces the history of parks to a state reservation in Massachusetts in 1641. Parks conservation began in earnest, however, on 30 June 1864, when President Abraham Lincoln signed a law granting the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias to California to be held for "public use, resort, and recreation... inalienable for all time." A short time after this, on 1 March 1872 Yellowstone was declared as a "national park", widely accepted as the first national park in the world.
In North America the protected area systems are large and complex. Policy and legislation for the conservation of protected areas is found at both state and federal level, whilst, within states, a number of sites have been protected at the local and regional levels.
The National Parks System
National parks and other categories of lands within the National Parks System are established by individual acts of Congress.
The National Park Service was established by the Act of 1916, Title 16 of the USC, Chapter 1 (16 USC 1). This law stipulates that "the Service... shall promote and regulate the use of the federal areas known as national parks, monuments, and reservations hereinafter specified...".
The National Park Service has responsibility for three broad types of areas, natural, historical and recreational, represented by some 16 categories of nomenclature under the National Park System. These include: national park, national monument, national reserve, national preserve, national recreation area, national historic site, national historic park, national battlefield, national seashore, national lakeshore, national scenic trail, national river, as well as national wild and scenic river.
Detailed definitions for these different categories are not provided under general legislation, and restrictions and regulations vary considerably between sites of the same category.
Source: Protected Areas Programme -UNEP World Conservation Monitoring Centre; National Park Service
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Alabama
National Preserves
- Little River Canyon (www)
National Monuments
National Historic Sites
- Tuskegee Airmen (www)
- Tuskegee Institute (www)
National Historic Trails
- Selma To Montgomery (www)
- Trail Of Tears (www)
National Military Parks
Parkways
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Alaska
National Parks & Preserves
- Denali (www)
- Gates Of The Arctic (www)
- Glacier Bay (www)
- Katmai (www)
- Lake Clark (www)
- Wrangell - St Elias (www)
National Parks
- Kenai Fjords (www)
- Kobuk Valley (www)
National Preserves
- Bering Land Bridge (www)
- Noatak (www)
- Yukon - Charley Rivers (www)
National Monuments and Preserves
National Monuments
National Historic Areas
- Aleutian World War II (www)
National Historical Parks
- Klondike Gold Rush (www)
- Sitka (www)
Wild Rivers
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Arizona
National Parks
- Grand Canyon (www)
- Petrified Forest (www)
- Saguaro (www)
National Monuments
- Canyon De Chelly (www)
- Casa Grande Ruins (www)
- Chiricahua (www)
- Hohokam Pima (www)
- Montezuma Castle (www)
- Navajo (www)
- Organ Pipe Cactus (www)
- Parashant (www)
- Pipe Spring (www)
- Sunset Crater Volcano (www)
- Tonto (www)
- Tuzigoot (www)
- Walnut Canyon (www)
- Wupatki (www)
National Historical Parks
National Historic Sites
- Fort Bowie (www)
- Hubbell Trading Post (www)
National Historic Trails
- Juan Bautista de Anza (www)
- Old Spanish Trail (www)
National Memorials
National Recreation Areas
- Glen Canyon (www)
- Lake Mead (www)
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Arkansas
National Parks
National Rivers
National Historic Sites
- Fort Smith (www)
- Little Rock Central High School (www)
National Historic Trails
National Military Parks
National Memorials
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California
National Parks
- Channel Islands (www)
- Death Valley (www)
- Joshua Tree (www)
- Lassen Volcanic Park (www)
- Sequoia & Kings Canyon (www)
- Yosemite (www)
National and State Parks
National Preserves
National Seashores
National Monuments
- Cabrillo (www)
- Devils Postpile (www)
- Lava Beds (www)
- Muir Wood (www)
- Pinnacles (www)
National Historical Parks
- Rosie the Riveter WWII Home Front (www)
- San Francisco Maritime (www)
National Historic Sites
- Eugene O'Neill (www)
- Fort Point (www)
- John Muir (www)
- Manzanar (www)
National Historic Trails
- California Trail (www)
- Juan Bautista de Anza (www)
- Old Spanish Trail (www)
- Pony Express (www)
National Memorials
- Port Chicago Naval Magazine (www)
National Recreation Areas
- Golden Gate (www)
- Santa Monica Mountains (www)
- Whiskeytown (www)
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Colorado
National Parks & Preserves
National Parks
- Black Canyon Of The Gunnison (www)
- Mesa Verde (www)
- Rocky Mountain (www)
National Monuments
- Colorado (www)
- Dinosaur (www)
- Florissant Fossil Beds (www)
- Yucca House (www)
National Historic Sites
- Bent's Old Fort (www)
- Sand Creek Massacre (www)
National Historic Trails
- California Trail (www)
- Old Spanish Trail (www)
- Pony Express (www)
- Santa Fe (www)
National Recreation Areas
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Connecticut
National Historic Sites
National Scenic Trails
National Heritage Corridors
- Quinebaug & Shetucket Rivers Valley (www)
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Florida
National Parks
- Biscayne (www)
- Dry Tortugas (www)
- Everglades (www)
National Preserves
National Seashores
- Canaveral (www)
- Gulf Islands (www)
National Monuments
- Castillo De San Marcos (www)
- Fort Matanzas (www)
National Memorials
- De Soto (www)
- Fort Caroline (www)
Ecological and Historic Preserves
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Georgia
National Seashores
National Monuments
- Fort Frederica (www)
- Fort Pulaski (www)
- Ocmulgee (www)
National Historic Sites
- Andersonville (www)
- Jimmy Carter (www)
- Martin Luther King Jr (www)
National Historic Trails
National Scenic Trails
National Military Parks
- Chickamauga & Chattanooga (www)
National Battlefield Parks
National Recreation Areas
- Chattahoochee River (www)
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Hawaii
National Parks
- Haleakala (www)
- Hawaii Volcanoes (www)
National Historical Parks
- Kalaupapa (www)
- Kaloko-Honokohau (www)
- Pu`uhonua O Honaunau (www)
National Historic Sites
National Historic Trails
Memorials
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Idaho
National Parks
National Reserves
National Monuments & Preserves
- Craters Of The Moon (www)
National Historical Parks
National Monuments
- Hagerman Fossil Beds (www)
- Minidoka Internment (www)
National Historic Trails
- California Trail (www)
- Lewis & Clark (www)
- Oregon Trail (www)
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Illinois
National Historic Sites
National Historic Trails
- Lewis & Clark (www)
- Mormon Pioneer (www)
- Trail Of Tears (www)
National Heritage Corridors
- Illinois & Michigan Canal (www)
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Indiana
National Historical Parks
- George Rogers Clark (www)
National Lakeshores
National Memorials
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Iowa
National Monuments
National Historic Sites
National Historic Trails
- Lewis & Clark (www)
- Mormon Pioneer (www)
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Kansas
National Preserves
National Historic Sites
- Brown V Board Of Education (www)
- Fort Larned (www)
- Fort Scott (www)
- Nicodemus (www)
National Historic Trails
- Lewis & Clark (www)
- Oregon Trail (www)
- Pony Express (www)
- Santa Fe (www)
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Kentucky
National Parks
National Historical Parks
National Historic Sites
- Abraham Lincoln Birthplace (www)
National Historic Trails
National Rivers & Recreation Areas
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Louisiana
National Historical Parks & Preserves
National Historical Parks
- Cane River Creole (www)
- New Orleans Jazz (www)
National Monuments
National Heritage Areas
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Maine
International Parks
- Roosevelt Campobello (www)
International Historic Sites
National Parks
National Scenic Trails
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Maryland
National Seashores
National Historical Parks
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (www)
National Monuments and Historic Shrines
National Historic Sites
- Clara Barton (www)
- Hampton (www)
- Thomas Stone (www)
National Scenic Trails
- Appalachian Trail (www)
- Potomac Heritage (www)
National Cemeteries
National Battlefields
Parks
- Catoctin Mountain (www)
- Fort Foote (www)
- Fort Washington (www)
- Glen Echo (www)
- Greenbelt (www)
- Piscataway (www)
Parkways
- Baltimore-Washington (www)
- Suitland
Memorial Parkways
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Massachusetts
National Seashores
National Historical Parks
- Adams (www)
- Boston (www)
- Lowell (www)
- Minute Man (www)
- New Bedford Whaling (www)
National Historic Sites
- Boston African American Site (www)
- Frederick Law Olmsted (www)
- John F. Kennedy (www)
- Longfellow (www)
- Salem Maritime (www)
- Saugus Iron Works (www)
- Springfield Armory (www)
National Scenic Trails
National Heritage Corridors
- Blackstone River Valley (www)
- Quinebaug and Shetucket Rivers Valley (www)
National Heritage Areas
Wild and Scenic Rivers
- Sudbury, Assabet, and Concord (www)
- Westfield (www)
National Recreation Areas
- Boston Harbor Islands (www)
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Michigan
National Parks
National Lakeshores
- Pictured Rocks (www)
- Sleeping Bear Dunes (www)
National Historical Parks
National Scenic Trails
- North Country Trail (www)
National Memorials
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Minnesota
National Parks
National Scenic Trails
- North Country Trail (www)
National Monuments
- Grand Portage (www)
- Pipestone (www)
National River & Recreation Areas
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Mississippi
National Seashores
National Historical Parks
National Battlefields
National Battlefield Sites
National Cemeteries
National Military Parks
Parkways
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Missouri
National Scenic Riverways
National Historic Sites
- Harry S Truman (www)
- Ulysses S Grant (www)
National Historic Trails
- California Trail (www)
- Lewis & Clark (www)
- Oregon Trail (www)
- Pony Express (www)
- Santa Fe (www)
- Trail Of Tears (www)
National Monuments
- George Washington Carver (www)
National Battlefields
National Expansion Memorials
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Montana
National Parks
- Glacier (www)
- Yellowstone (www)
National Historical Parks
National Historic Sites
National Historic Trails
National Monuments
- Little Bighorn Battlefield (www)
National Battlefields
National Recreation Areas
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Nebraska
National Scenic Rivers
National Historic Sites
National Historic Trails
- California Trail (www)
- Lewis & Clark (www)
- Mormon Pioneer (www)
- Oregon Trail (www)
- Pony Express (www)
National Monuments of America
National Monuments
- Agate Fossil Beds (www)
- Scotts Bluff (www)
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Nevada
National Parks
- Death Valley (www)
- Great Basin (www)
National Historic Trails
- California Trail (www)
- Old Spanish Trail (www)
- Pony Express (www)
National Recreation Areas
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New Hampshire
National Historic Sites
National Scenic Trails
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New Jersey
National Reserves
- New Jersey Pinelands (www)
National Historical Parks
National Historic Sites
National Scenic Trails
National Scenic Rivers
National Monuments
National Recreation Areas
- Delaware Water Gap (www)
- Gateway (www)
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New Mexico
National Parks
National Historical Parks
- Chaco Culture (www)
- Pecos (www)
National Historic Trails
- El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (www)
- Old Spanish Trail (www)
- Santa Fe (www)
National Monuments
- Aztec Ruins (www)
- Bandelier (www)
- Capulin Volcano (www)
- El Malpais (www)
- El Morro (www)
- Fort Union (www)
- Gila Cliff Dwellings (www)
- Petroglyph (www)
- Salinas Pueblo Missions (www)
- White Sands (www)
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New York
National Seashores
National Historical Parks
- Saratoga (www)
- Women's Rights (www)
National Historic Sites
- Eleanor Roosevelt (www)
- Home Of Franklin D Roosevelt (www)
- Lower East Side Tenement Museum (www)
- Martin Van Buren (www)
- Sagamore Hill (www)
- Saint Paul's Church (www)
- Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace (www)
- Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural (www)
- Vanderbilt Mansion (www)
National Scenic Trails
- Appalachian Trail (www)
- North Country Trail (www)
National Monuments
- Castle Clinton (www)
- Ellis Island (www)
- Fort Stanwix (www)
- Governors Island (www)
- Statue Of Liberty (www)
National Heritage Corridors
National Memorials
- Federal Hall (www)
- General Grant (www)
- Hamilton Grange (www)
National Recreation Areas
Scenic & Recreational Rivers
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North Carolina
National Parks
- Great Smoky Mountains (www)
National Seashores
- Cape Hatteras (www)
- Cape Lookout (www)
National Historic Sites
- Carl Sandburg Home (www)
- Fort Raleigh (www)
National Historic Trails
- Overmountain Victory (www)
- Trail Of Tears (www)
National Scenic Trails
National Battlefields
National Military Parks
- Guilford Courthouse (www)
National Memorials
Parkways
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North Dakota
National Parks
National Historic Sites
- Fort Union Trading Post (www)
- Knife River Indian Villages (www)
National Historic Trails
National Scenic Trails
- North Country Trail (www)
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Ohio
National Parks
National Historical Parks
- Dayton Aviation Heritage (www)
- Hopewell Culture (www)
National Historic Sites
- First Ladies (www)
- James A Garfield (www)
- William Howard Taft (www)
National Scenic Trails
- North Country Trail (www)
National Memorials
Memorials
- Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial (www)
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Oklahoma
National Historic Sites
- Fort Smith (www)
- Washita Battlefield (www)
National Historic Trails
- Santa Fe (www)
- Trail Of Tears (www)
National Memorials
National Recreation Areas
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Oregon
National Parks
National Historical Parks
- Lewis & Clark (www)
- Nez Perce (www)
National Historic Sites
- Fort Vancouver (www)
- Mcloughlin House (www)
National Historic Trails
- California Trail (www)
- Lewis & Clark (www)
- Oregon Trail (www)
National Monuments
- John Day Fossil Beds (www)
- Oregon Caves (www)
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Pennsylvania
National Historical Parks
- Independence (www)
- Valley Forge (www)
National Historic Sites
- Allegheny Portage Railroad (www)
- Edgar Allan Poe (www)
- Eisenhower (www)
- Friendship Hill (www)
- Gloria Dei Church (www)
- Hopewell Furnace (www)
- Steamtown (www)
National Scenic Trails
- Appalachian Trail (www)
- North Country Trail (www)
- Potomac Heritage (www)
National Scenic Rivers
National Heritage Corridors
National Memorials
- Flight 93 (www)
- Johnstown Flood (www)
- Thaddeus Kosciuszko (www)
National Battlefields
National Military Parks
National Cemeteries
National Recreation Areas
Scenic & Recreational Rivers
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Rhode Island
National Historic Sites
National Heritage Corridors
- Blackstone River Valley (www)
National Memorials
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South Carolina
National Parks
National Historic Sites
- Charles Pinckney (www)
- Ninety Six (www)
National Historic Trails
- Overmountain Victory (www)
National Military Parks
National Battlefields
National Monuments
- Fort Moultrie (www)
- Fort Sumter (www)
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South Dakota
National Parks
- Badlands (www)
- Wind Cave (www)
National Monuments
National Historic Sites
National Historic Trails
National Memorials
National Recreational Rivers
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Tennessee
National Parks
- Great Smoky Mountains (www)
National Historic Sites
National Historic Trails
- Overmountain Victory (www)
- Trail Of Tears (www)
National Scenic Trails
National Military Parks
National Battlefields
- Fort Donelson (www)
- Stones River (www)
National Cemeteries
- Fort Donelson (www)
- Shiloh (www)
- Stones River (www)
National River & Recreation Areas
Wild & Scenic Rivers
Parkways
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Texas
National Parks
- Big Bend (www)
- Guadalupe Mountains (www)
National Preserves
National Seashores
National Historical Parks
- Lyndon B Johnson (www)
- San Antonio Missions (www)
National Historic Sites
- Fort Davis (www)
- Palo Alto Battlefield (www)
National Historic Trails
- El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro (www)
National Monuments
- Alibates Flint Quarries (www)
National Memorials
National Recreation Areas
- Amistad (www)
- Lake Meredith (www)
Wild & Scenic Rivers
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Utah
National Parks
- Arches (www)
- Bryce Canyon (www)
- Canyonlands (www)
- Capitol Reef (www)
- Zion (www)
National Historic Sites
National Historic Trails
- California Trail (www)
- Mormon Pioneer (www)
- Old Spanish Trail (www)
- Pony Express (www)
National Monuments
- Cedar Breaks (www)
- Dinosaur (www)
- Hovenweep (www)
- Natural Bridges (www)
- Rainbow Bridge (www)
- Timpanogos Cave (www)
National Recreation Areas
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Virginia
National Parks
National Seashores
National Historical Parks
- Appomattox Court House (www)
- Cedar Creek & Belle Grove (www)
- Colonial (www)
National Historic Sites
- Jamestown (www)
- Maggie L Walker (www)
National Historic Trails
- Overmountain Victory (www)
National Scenic Trails
- Appalachian Trail (www)
- Potomac Heritage (www)
National Monuments
- Booker T Washington (www)
- George Washington Birthplace (www)
National Battlefield Parks
National Battlefields
National Military Parks
- Fredericksburg & Spotsylvania (www)
National Cemeteries
- Fredericksburg (www)
- Poplar Grove (www)
- Yorktown (www)
Parks
- Great Falls (www)
- Prince William Forest (www)
- Theodore Roosevelt Island (www)
Parkways
Memorial Parkways
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Vermont
National Historical Parks
- Marsh - Billings - Rockefeller (www)
National Scenic Trails
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Washington
National Parks
- Mount Rainier (www)
- North Cascades (www)
- Olympic (www)
National Historical Reserves
National Historical Parks
- Klondike Gold Rush - Seattle Unit (www)
- Nez Perce (www)
National Historic Sites
- Fort Vancouver (www)
- Whitman Mission (www)
National Historic Trails
National Recreation Areas
- Lake Chelan (www)
- Lake Roosevelt (www)
- Ross Lake (www)
- San Juan Island (www)
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Washington, D.C.
National Historical Parks
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (www)
National Historic Sites
- Ford's Theatre (www)
- Frederick Douglass (www)
- Mary McLeod Bethune Council House
- Pennsylvania Avenue (www)
- Sewall-Belmont House (www)
National Scenic Trails
National Memorials
- African American Civil War (www)
- John Ericsson (www)
National Cemeteries
Parks
- Anacostia (www)
- National Capital Parks - East (www)
- National Mall and Memorial Parks (www)
- Rock Creek (www)
Memorials
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt
- George Mason (www)
- Korean War Veterans
- Lincoln (www)
- National World War II (www)
- Thomas Jefferson (www)
- Vietnam Veterans (www)
Memorial Parkways
Monuments
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West Virginia
National Historical Parks
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal (www)
- Harpers Ferry (www)
National Scenic Rivers
National Rivers
National Scenic Trails
National Recreation Areas
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Wisconsin
National Lakeshores
National Scenic Rivers
National Scenic Trails
- Ice Age (www)
- North Country Trail (www)
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Wyoming
National Parks
- Grand Teton (www)
- Yellowstone (www)
National Historic Sites
National Historic Trails
- California Trail (www)
- Mormon Pioneer (www)
- Oregon Trail (www)
- Pony Express (www)
National Monuments
- Devils Tower (www)
- Fossil Butte (www)
Memorial Parkways
- John D Rockefeller Jr (www)
National Recreation Areas
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American Samoa
National Parks
- National Park of American Samoa (www)
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Baker Island
National Wildlife Refuges
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Guam
National Historical Parks
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Howland Island
National Wildlife Refuges
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Jarvis Island
National Wildlife Refuges
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Johnston Atoll
National Wildlife Refuges
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Kingman Reef
National Wildlife Refuges
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Midway Islands
National Wildlife Refuges
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Northern Mariana Island
Marine Protected Areas
Marine Sanctuaries
- Forbidden Island Sanctuary
- Laulau Bay Sea Cucumber
- Managaha Marine Conservation Area
- Sasanhaya Bay Fish Reserve
Primeval Reserves
- Asuncion Island
- Bird Island
- Guguan Island
- Kagman Conservation Area
- Managaha Islet
- Maug Island Preserve
- Rota Commonwealth Forest
- Taipingot Peninsula
- Uracas Island
Wildlife Areas
Commonwealth Forests
- Marpi Commonwealth Forest
Other Protected Areas
- Kastiyu WCA
- Mt Tapotchau WCA
- Naftan Pt. WCA
- Sabana
- Saguagaha WCA
- Sarigan
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Palmyra Atoll
National Wildlife Refuges
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Puerto Rico
National Historic Sites
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Virgin Islands
National Parks
National Historic Parks and Ecological Preserves
National Historic Sites
National Monuments
- Buck Island Reef (www)
- Virgin Islands Coral Reef (www)
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