World Heritage Sites in the United States
Hawaii Volcanoes National Park. World Heritage Site since 1987.
“Heritage is our legacy from the past, what we live with today, and what we pass on to future generations. Our cultural and natural heritage is both irreplaceable sources of life and inspiration.” —UNESCO World Heritage Convention
The United States is home to 23 of more than 1000 United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Sites around the globe. These sites are designated for their universal value in natural or cultural heritage and are places as unique and diverse as East Africa’s Serengeti, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Great Barrier Reef in Australia and the Grand Canyon in the U.S.
Alaska
Kluane/Wrangell-St. Elias/Glacier Bay/Tatashenshini-Alsek, Alaska and Canada
World Heritage Site since 1979
Glacier Bay National Park (Adam DiPietro, Share the Experience)
Glacier Bay National Park (Corey Dusin, Share the Experience)
These World Heritage parks are an impressive complex of glaciers and high peaks on both sides of the border between Canada and the United States. Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve features the largest non-polar icefield in the world and contains examples of some of the world’s longest and most spectacular glaciers.Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve is the largest national park in the U.S. The area offers a myriad of outdoor activities to consider including hiking, backpacking, fishing and hunting; river trips; kayaking and biking. You can also hire a guide or outfitter to take you on a river or fishing trip, mountaineering expedition, glacier trek, or sport hunting, backpacking, or flightseeing trip. Choose the type of experience right for you and then discover the majestic peaks and impressive glaciers.
Arizona
Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
World Heritage Site since 1979
Grand Canyon National Park (Peter Coskun, Share the Experience)
The Grand Canyon has been referred to as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World and continues to change even today by the Colorado River, which charted its course about 17 million years ago. Unique combinations of geologic color and erosional forms decorate a canyon that is 277 river miles (446 km) long, up to 18 miles (29 km) wide, and one mile (1.6 km) deep. With more than five million people traveling to the Grand Canyon last year, visitors are encouraged to review numerous options on how and where to access this magnificent canyon.
California
Redwood National and State Parks
World Heritage Site since 1980
Redwood National and State Parks (Jessica Watz, Share the Experience)
Home to the oldest and tallest trees on earth, the redwood forest hosts remnants of a group of trees that have existed for 160 million years. Here many of these trees exceed 300 feet (100 m) in height. The Redwood National and State Parksalso protects vast prairies, oak woodlands, wild river ways and nearly 40 miles (64 km) of pristine coastline. Together the National Park Service and California State Parks manage these lands.Five visitor centers help visitors enjoy this diverse and profound landscape.
Yosemite National Park, California
World Heritage Site since 1984
Yosemite National Park (Kevin Perez, Share the Experience)
In the heart of California,Yosemite National Parkoffers a dramatic landscape and awe-inspiring views. With its hanging valleys, many waterfalls, cirque lakes, polished domes, moraines and u-shaped valleys, Yosemite provides an excellent example of granite monoliths shaped by glaciation. To help you plan ahead for a trip to this popular destination use this helpful travel and lodging information. We recommend that you make advanced reservations and plan ahead to make your trip memorable.
Colorado
Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado
World Heritage Site since 1978
Mesa Verde National Park (Lydia Faller, Share the Experience)
The exceptional archaeological sites of the Mesa Verde National Park are testimony to the ancient cultural traditions of Native American tribes and represent some of the best preserved in the U.S. They signify a graphic link between the past and present ways of life of the Puebloan Peoples of the American Southwest. Today the Colorado park protects nearly 5,000 known archeological sites, including 600 cliff dwellings.
Everglades National Park, Florida
World Heritage Site since 1979
Everglades National Park (Karen Whitmire, Share the Experience)
The largest subtropical wilderness in the U.S., the 1.5 million-acre (607,028 ha) Everglades National Park provides important habitat for numerous rare and endangered species like the West Indian manatee, the American crocodile and the elusive Florida panther. Camping, boating, fishing, hiking, bird watching and ranger-guided programs are just a sampling of popular things to do in the Everglades.
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, Hawai’i
World Heritage Site since 1987
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park (Lawrence Knutsson, Share the Experience)
Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park contains Mauna Loa and Kilauea, two of the world’s most active and accessible volcanoes where you can easily observe ongoing geological processes. Scenic vistas accessible by car, a visitor center and walking trails allow you to experience this ever-changing landscape. Use the parkplan your visitinformation to help you map out your trip and be sure to pay attention toarea closures and advisories.
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Hawai’i
World Heritage Site since 2010
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (NPS)
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument is a vast and isolated linear cluster of small, low-lying islands and atolls surrounded by the Pacific Ocean. Located roughly 155 miles (250 km) to the northwest of the main Hawai’ian Islands and extending over about 1,200 miles (1,937 km), the area has deep cosmological and traditional significance for Native Hawai’ian culture and is the largest marine protected area in the world.
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site, Illinois
World Heritage Site since 1982
Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (Lyle Kruger)
Cahokia was a city like no other at its time. Mississippians who lived here built a wide variety of structures from practical homes for everyday living to monumental public works that maintained their grandeur for centuries. The site offers an interpretive center, outdoor self-guided and guided tours and amenities to keep you fueled for a full day of discovery. Visit Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site to plan your trip to this fascinating destination.
Yellowstone National Park, Idaho, Montana and Wyoming
World Heritage Site since 1978
Yellowstone National Park (Nicola Frassineti, Share the Experience)
Yellowstone National Park contains half of all the world’s known geothermal features (10,000) and the world’s largest concentration of geysers (more than 300, or two thirds of all those on Earth). The park is equally well-known for supporting abundant and diverse wildlife such as grizzly bears, wolves, bison and wapitis. Yellowstone is America’s first national park and attracts visitors from around the world. Here is some helpful information about planning a trip to this unique and complex place.
Mammoth Cave National Park, Kentucky
World Heritage Site since 1981
Mammoth Cave National Park (Ces Gallaway, Share the Experience)
This is the world’s longest known network of caves and underground passageways with explored areas extending for more than 400 miles (644 km). Mammoth Cave National Parksupports more than 130 species of plants and animals and supplies rich cave-dwelling wildlife habitat. Book a cave tour, take a surface hike, go canoeing, picnic, horseback ride, bicycle, camp or more! A quick tour of the park’s plan your visit page before traveling to this destination will help you fully prepare for your underground adventure.
Monumental Earthworks at Poverty Point National Monument, Louisiana
World Heritage Site since 2015
Mound A at Poverty Point World Heritage Site. (NPS)
Three thousand years ago when Poverty Point was at its peak, it was part of an enormous trading network that stretched for hundreds of miles across North America. Poverty Point National Monument was – and is – an engineering marvel, the product of five million hours of labor. Explore the culture of a highly sophisticated people who left behind one of North America’s most important archeological sites. Louisiana State Parks manages this site that contains some of the largest prehistoric earthworks in North America. Visit the Poverty Point website toplan your visit.
Waterton Glacier International Peace Park, Montana and Canada
World Heritage Site since 1995
Glacier National Park (Kim Dessoliers, Share the Experience)
In 1932, Waterton Lakes National Park (Alberta, Canada) was combined with Glacier National Park, (Montana, United States) to form the world’s first International Peace Park. You can experience pristine forest, alpine meadows, rugged mountains and spectacular lakes in this area. More than 700 miles (1,127 km) of trails through dramatic and breath-taking landscapes make this area a hiker’s paradise. Plenty of helpful information is available on Glacier’splan your trip page to help you explore this stunning alpine landscape.
Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico
World Heritage Site since 1995
Carlsbad Caverns National Park (Jess Curren, Share the Experience)
Beneath this rugged land of rocky slopes and canyons, cactus, grass, thorny shrubs and the occasional tree are more than 118 known caves – formed when sulfuric acid dissolved the surrounding limestone. Read our spotlight article about Carlsbad Cavernsto learn more about how the cave was created in a fossil reef laid down by an inland sea 250 to 280 million years ago. Check out the park’s plan your visit page to help you investigate this underground environment of prehistoric and living organisms.
Chaco Culture National Historical Park, New Mexico
World Heritage Site since 1987
Chaco Culture National Historical Park (Roxann Murray, Share the Experience)
The complex collection of monumental public and ceremonial buildings at Chaco Canyon National Historical Parkis testament that their builders had a sophisticated understanding of astronomical phenomena. When you visit this site, you may get a deeper sense of life and the connection to people who lived here (between 850 and 1250 AD). Plan your trip; read our Chaco Culture spotlight article; take a guided tour, discover hiking and biking trails, attend an evening campfire talk or experience a night sky program.
Taos Pueblo, New Mexico
World Heritage Site since 1992
Taos Pueblo (New Mexico Tourism Department)
In the valley of a small tributary of the Rio Grande, the settlement ofTaos Pueblo represents the culture of the Pueblo Indians of Arizona and New Mexico. Adobe dwellings and ceremonial buildings are standing testaments to the enduring culture of a group established in the late 13th and early 14th centuries. Also designated a National Historic Landmark, these multi-storied adobe buildings have been continuously inhabited for more than 1,000 years. Today, Taos Pueblo is a living Native American community.
Statue of Liberty National Monument, New York
World Heritage Site since 1984
Statue of Liberty National Monument (NPS)
The Statue of Libertywas a gift of friendship from the people of France to the United States on the 100th anniversary of American independence in 1876 and was dedicated on October 28, 1886. Standing at the entrance to New York Harbor, it has welcomed millions of immigrants to the United States ever since.Advance trip planning is the key to your Statue of Liberty visit.
Pennsylvania
Independence Hall, Pennsylvania
World Heritage Site since 1979
Independence Hall (NPS)
The Declaration of Independence and Constitution of the United States were both signed in Independence Hall which is withinIndependence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. The universal principles of freedom and democracy set forth in these documents are of fundamental importance to American history and have also had a profound impact on law-makers around the world. Explore the First and Second Banks of the U.S., Congress Hall, Old City Hall, Franklin Court and Liberty Bell Center, among much more. Also, read our spotlight article about Independence Hall National Historical Park.
Puerto Rico
La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site, Puerto Rico
World Heritage Site since 1983
San Juan National Historic Site (Brett Christian, Share the Experience)
This massive fortification of San Juan features the La Fortaleza, the three forts of Castillo San Felipe del Morro, Castillo San Cristóbal and San Juan de la Cruz. There is also a large portion of the City Wall, built between the 16th and 19th centuries to protect the city and the Bay of San Juan.Visit this historic site and join a rangers’ presentation, explore the fortifications, enjoy a video program, and relax or delve deeper into the history of this Puerto Rican attraction. Kids can visit the Discovery Center where they can join the Little Masons Workshop and get their hands dirty applying stucco in much the same way the masons did centuries ago.
Tennessee, North Carolina
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee and North Carolina
World Heritage Site since 1983
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Kaushik Roy, Share the Experience)
America’s most visited national park, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park boasts exceptional natural beauty and is home to more than 3,500 plant species, 200 bird species, 66 mammals, 67 species of native fish, 39 varieties of reptiles and 43 species of amphibians. Biological diversity is the hallmark of this park in the Southern Appalachian Mountains, among the oldest mountain ranges in in the world. Auto tours, cycling and hiking trails, camping, fishing and best of all, sightseeing, are some of the activities that allow you to experience this amazing place. In recognition of the park’s unique natural resources, the United Nations also designated Great Smoky Mountains National Park a part of the Southern Appalachian Biosphere Reserve. Plan your visit using the Great Smoky Mountains site where you will find trip-planning information, maps and learn about other things to do.
Texas
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, Texas
World Heritage Site since 2015
San Antonio Missions National Historical Park (Leigh Taylor, Share the Experience)
After 10,000 years, the people of south Texas found their cultures, their very lives under attack. In the early 1700s Apache raided from the north, people with deadly diseases traveled from Mexico into the area, and drought lingered. Survival lay in the missions which are now part of the San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. This group of five frontier mission complexes situated along a stretch of the San Antonio River basin in southern Texas, as well as a ranch located 22.9 miles (37 km) to the south includes architectural and archaeological structures, farmlands, residencies, churches and granaries, as well as water distribution systems. Built by Franciscan missionaries in the 18th century they illustrate the Spanish Crown’s efforts to colonize, evangelize and defend the northern frontier of New Spain. Use this plan your visit information to learn more about this historical park.
Virginia
Monticello and the University of Virginia
World Heritage Site since 1987
Monticello National Historic Landmark (John Kenkel, Share the Experience)
Monticello was designed by Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States and author of the American Declaration of Independence. The integration of the buildings into the natural landscape, the originality of the plan and design, and the refined proportions and décor make Jefferson’s Monticello an outstanding example of a neoclassical work of art. A short distance away from Monticello, in Charlottesville, he also designed his ideal academic village, the University of Virginia. The university is an outstanding example of a great educational institution from the Age of Enlightenment.
Washington
Olympic National Park, Washington
World Heritage Site since 1981
Olympic National Park (Kevin Davis, Share the Experience)
Olympic National Parkfeatures spectacular Pacific Ocean coastline, scenic lakes, majestic mountains and glaciers, and magnificent temperate rainforest. These diverse ecosystems are like visiting three different parks in one. Begin your experience at any one offive visitor centers and find out how you can maximize your coastal experience.