The United States national parks are owned by the federal government, specifically managed by the National Park Service (NPS), which is a part of the Department of the Interior. The lands that comprise national parks are designated to preserve their natural beauty, wildlife, and cultural heritage for present and future generations.
National parks are part of a larger system of protected public lands in the U.S., which includes national forests, wildlife refuges, and state parks. While the federal government holds legal ownership of these lands, they are meant to be enjoyed by the public. Citizens do not own the parks in the conventional sense, but they have the right to access and appreciate the natural wonders that these parks offer.
The establishment of national parks typically involves various stakeholders, including local communities, conservation organizations, and government agencies, to ensure that the parks serve both environmental and recreational purposes. This collective stewardship aims to protect these spaces from commercial development and ecological degradation, fostering an enduring legacy of conservation.