So, you’re looking for a list of United States national monuments. Honestly, it’s a bit of a moving target. As of early 2026, the count sits right around 138, but that number flickers every time a president picks up a pen or Congress decides to shuffle the deck. You might think "national monument" just means a big statue or a brass plaque, but in the U.S. federal system, it’s basically code for "this place is too cool or too important to let people mess it up."
Most people get monuments confused with national parks. I get it. They both have brown signs and rangers in flat-brimmed hats. But there’s a massive legal gulf between them. National parks like Yellowstone or Zion are created by an Act of Congress. It’s a slow, bureaucratic slog. National monuments, however, usually come to life via the Antiquities Act of 1906. This gives the President the power to bypass the gridlock of D.C. and protect land with a quick signature.
Why the List of United States National Monuments is Weirdly Diverse
If you look at the full list, the variety is staggering. You’ve got the Statue of Liberty in New York, which is essentially a giant copper gift, sitting right alongside Bears Ears in Utah, which covers over a million acres of rugged desert and indigenous ancestral sites.
One protects a statue. The other protects a landscape. Both are "monuments."
It’s not just about the National Park Service (NPS) either. While the NPS manages the lion's share—around 89 of them—other agencies have their hands in the pot too. The Bureau of Land Management (BLM) looks after 31, and the U.S. Forest Service handles 16. Even the Fish and Wildlife Service and NOAA (the ocean people) manage a few.
The Heavy Hitters and the Hidden Gems
Let’s talk about the ones you actually know. Devils Tower in Wyoming was the very first one, designated by Teddy Roosevelt back in 1906. Then you’ve got Muir Woods in California, where the redwoods are so tall they basically block out the sun.
But have you heard of Agua Fria in Arizona? It’s got over 450 distinct Native American structures, including massive pueblos with 100 rooms. Or Aniakchak in Alaska? It’s one of the least visited spots in the entire park system because it’s basically a giant 6-mile-wide volcanic crater that’s incredibly hard to reach.
Recent Additions You Might Have Missed
The list grew significantly in late 2024 and early 2025. President Biden was busy.
- Chuckwalla National Monument: Located in California, right next to Joshua Tree. It’s about 600,000 acres of critical wildlife corridors.
- Sáttítla National Monument: This one is in Northern California and covers the Medicine Lake Highlands. It’s incredibly sacred to the Pit River Tribe.
- Frances Perkins National Monument: A much smaller site in Maine dedicated to the woman who basically invented Social Security.
These newer spots reflect a shift. We’re moving away from just protecting "pretty rocks" and toward protecting sites that tell a more complex story of American history and labor rights.
The "How-To" for Your Monument Road Trip
If you're actually planning to visit some of these, don't expect them all to have gift shops and paved paths. A lot of monuments are "primitive." This means you better bring your own water and a spare tire.
Take Vermilion Cliffs in Arizona. People go crazy for "The Wave" there, but you need a permit that’s harder to get than concert tickets for a pop star. There’s no visitor center. No cell service. Just you and the red sand.
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Quick Facts for Your Back Pocket
- Smallest Monument: African Burial Ground in New York (0.35 acres).
- Largest Monument: Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (it’s in the Pacific and is bigger than all the other national parks combined).
- First Monument: Devils Tower, Wyoming (1906).
What Most People Get Wrong About the Designation
There’s a common myth that national monument status is a "land grab." You’ll hear people say the government is stealing private property.
That’s just not true.
The Antiquities Act only applies to federal land the government already owns. If you own a ranch and the President declares a monument around it, your ranch stays yours. You might have some new neighbors in hiking boots, but the feds aren't taking your deed.
Also, a lot of people think monuments are just "National Parks Lite." In reality, many monuments eventually become national parks. The Grand Canyon, Acadia, and Olympic National Parks all started out as national monuments. It’s like the minor leagues for the National Park Service.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
Don't just Google "national monuments near me" and hope for the best.
- Check the Managing Agency: If it’s managed by the BLM or Forest Service, the rules for camping and dogs are usually way more relaxed than if it’s an NPS site.
- Download Offline Maps: Many of these sites (especially in the West) have zero bars. Use an app like Gaia GPS or AllTrails and download the area before you leave the hotel.
- Look for the Junior Ranger Program: Even the "boring" historical monuments usually have these. If you have kids, it’s the only way to keep them from complaining about looking at old ruins.
- Buy the America the Beautiful Pass: It costs $80. If you visit more than three or four sites in a year, it pays for itself. It covers entrance fees at almost every monument on this list.
The list of United States national monuments is a weird, beautiful, and sometimes controversial collection of what we value as a country. Whether it’s a somber site like the Pullman National Historical Park (which used to be a monument) or the jagged peaks of Misty Fjords in Alaska, these places are set aside because they represent something we can't afford to lose.
Get out there. See the weird ones. The big ones are great, but the monuments without the crowds are where the real magic happens.
Next Steps for Your Trip Planning:
Identify the managing agency for your target monument (NPS, BLM, or USFS) to confirm specific regulations on pets and dispersed camping. Check the official government website for "Current Conditions" or "Alerts" to ensure roads are passable, especially for remote western monuments like Grand Staircase-Escalante or Castle Mountains.