Mori Atlas logo
Country designation

Mapping the scenic character and land stewardship of large scale regional conservation areas

Protected Landscapes in the United States of America: A National Geographic Atlas

The United States of America encompasses a vast network of protected landscapes where conservation value is deeply tied to scenic character, long-term stewardship, and the interaction between natural and cultural settings. This atlas provides a detailed look at how these expansive territories extend the national conservation story beyond flagship wilderness areas. Discover the geography, mapped boundaries, and regional distribution of these distinctive lands that define the American terrain.

Related tags

countryfederal republicnorth americadeveloped nationg20 member

Exploring regional land stewardship, scenic character, and mixed cultural environments across national territories

Protected Landscapes and Scenic Conservation Areas in the United States of America

Protected landscape units in the United States of America combine long term resource stewardship with scenic terrain, ranging from expansive national grasslands to managed recreation areas. Regional geography across the country relies on these managed zones to balance active conservation with human interaction across diverse ecosystems.

Protected landscape
Mapped parks129
Share of country parks30%
Largest mapped parkTongass National Forest68,000 km²
Oldest mapped parkShoshone National Forest1,891
Parks in this designationBrowse national forests, grasslands, and recreation areas across regional terrain.10 / 129
See all parks

Protected Landscape Parks and Reserves in the United States of America

Examine matching protected landscape units spanning national forests, grasslands, and coastal shores across the United States of America. Reviewing regional geography helps compare land stewardship patterns and scenic character across diverse conservation areas.

Protected landscapeMarin CountyMarine

Point Reyes National Seashore

Geology, coastal estuaries, and Pacific wilderness boundaries

Point Reyes National Seashore offers a deep look into California coastal geography. The protected area features the dramatic San Andreas Fault, expansive Douglas-fir forests, and rich estuarine habitats, providing an essential study of maritime conservation landscapes and rare breeding grounds for elephant seals and tule elk.

287.44 km²1962MediterraneanEasy access
Protected landscapeAlaskaMarineMountain

Tongass National Forest

Mapped temperate rainforests, fjords, and mountain ranges

Trace the extensive boundaries of Tongass National Forest, a massive protected landscape in Southeast Alaska. This atlas detail covers the unique geography of the Alexander Archipelago, where island wilderness meets the tidewater glaciers and old growth forests of the Coast Mountains. Gain insight into the terrain, ecosystem distribution, and regional context of this globally rare coastal rainforest environment.

68,000 km²1907TemperateModerate access
Protected landscapeWyomingMountain

Shoshone National Forest

Rugged wilderness and glacial peaks in Wyoming

Discover the immense geographic scale of Shoshone National Forest, which protects a diverse landscape ranging from sagebrush valleys to 13,000-foot granite summits. This atlas overview details its role within the Greater Yellowstone Ecosystem and its expansive, federally designated wilderness areas, offering a clear perspective on its volcanic and glacial terrain.

9,992.69 km²1891AlpineModerate access
Protected landscapeUnited States of America

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area

Colorado Plateau canyons, sandstone strata, and reservoir environments

Explore the geological architecture of Glen Canyon National Recreation Area, a vast federal protected landscape. The area showcases towering Navajo Sandstone cliffs, deep blue reservoir arms, and remote backcountry canyons that exemplify the distinct high desert terrain of the Colorado Plateau in the United States.

5,075.23 km²1972Easy accessMajor water bodies
Protected landscapeCaliforniaMarine

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

Coastal geography and historical park terrain overview

An expansive network of protected lands encompassing Pacific shorelines, Marin headlands, and urban forest ecosystems. This recreation area provides a detailed look at the geographic connectivity between coastal redwood groves, military fortifications, and restored wetland corridors within the California Bay Area region.

332.31 km²1972MediterraneanEasy access
Protected landscapeOregonMountain

Mount Hood National Forest

Exploring the Cascade Range terrain and wilderness boundaries in Oregon.

Mount Hood National Forest encompasses a vast, rugged expanse of the Oregon Cascades, anchored by the iconic, glacier-clad Mount Hood. This protected landscape contains extensive old-growth forests, high-alpine lakes, and deep river canyons. Discover the geographic extent of these wilderness areas and mountain terrain within the MoriAtlas database of protected lands.

4,318.17 km²1908TemperateEasy access
Protected landscapeArizonaMountain

Tonto National Forest

Exploring the vertical ecosystem gradients in Central Arizona

Spanning from arid Sonoran basins to the towering Mogollon Rim, Tonto National Forest offers a unique study in vertical geography and protected land management. This expansive territory provides a vital map of Southwest life zones, encompassing reservoir systems, rugged river canyons, and critical wilderness habitat that define the environmental identity of the region.

11,627 km²1905AridEasy access
Protected landscapeWashingtonMountain

Gifford Pinchot National Forest

Mapping volcanic peaks, deep river canyons, and old-growth wilderness corridors

Gifford Pinchot National Forest represents a major protected expanse in the Washington Cascades, characterized by a complex volcanic topography that includes active craters, cinder cones, and rugged lava fields. This atlas entry details the forest's primary geographic features, from the high-elevation alpine terrain of the Goat Rocks to the river-carved valleys of the Lewis and Cowlitz systems, providing essential context on this integral Pacific Northwest protected landscape.

5,347.95 km²1908TemperateEasy access
Protected landscapeOregonMountain

Umatilla National Forest

Explore mountain terrain, wilderness areas, and river-carved geography

Spanning over one million acres, Umatilla National Forest encompasses a complex array of river-cut canyons, high-country ridges, and substantial old-growth woodlands. This protected landscape offers a deep look into the ecological and physical character of the Blue Mountains, from the remote reaches of the Wenaha-Tucannon Wilderness to the headwaters of the Umatilla River.

5,694 km²1908Easy accessMajor water bodies
Protected landscapeOregonMountain

Willamette National Forest

Mapped terrain, old-growth forests, and protected wilderness boundaries.

Explore the expansive territory of Willamette National Forest, a primary protected area extending over 100 miles along Oregon's Cascade Range. This region features volcanic peaks exceeding 10,000 feet, extensive old-growth Douglas-fir stands, and a dense network of Wild and Scenic rivers, providing a detailed look at the geographic character and ecological heritage of the Pacific Northwest.

6,790.75 km²1933TemperateEasy access
See all parksSearch all Protected landscape parks and protected areas in United States of America
More designation routesCompare adjacent protected area types across the national landscape.7

Other Park Designations in United States of America

Evaluating other park designations in United States of America reveals how different conservation frameworks manage shared regional geography. Comparing wildlife reserves, national parks, and nature reserves provides a complete perspective on domestic environmental stewardship.

Protected wildlife areas and conservation landscapes in the USA.

Wildlife reserve

35%

Delve into the world of wildlife reserves within the United States of America, a designation focused on the protection of animal populations and their essential habitats. Understand the specific role these areas play in maintaining ecological continuity and supporting biodiversity across the nation. This route provides a focused look at where these vital conservation lands are mapped.

Share of country parks35%
149Mapped parksUnited States Wildlife Reserves Atlas
United States Wildlife Reserves Atlas

Explore protected area distribution and mapped boundaries.

National park

16%

This country-specific atlas view details the National Parks within the United States of America, offering insight into their geographic context and protected land status. Explore the mapped boundaries and regional significance of these 63 nationally recognized conservation areas to understand their place within the broader landscape.

Share of country parks16%
68Mapped parksNational Parks in United States of America
National Parks in United States of America

Regional geography and natural land coverage

Protected area

8%

Trace the geographic distribution of protected natural areas across the United States of America. This index provides a structured view of conserved sites that fall outside traditional park classifications, offering a clear look at regional landscapes and designated environments across the nation.

Share of country parks8%
36Mapped parksUnited States of America Protected Areas
United States of America Protected Areas

Browse designated marine protected areas and coastal reserves in the USA.

Marine protected area

5%

This MoriAtlas route focuses on Marine Protected Areas within the United States of America, offering a geographically organized perspective on coastal, marine, island, and ocean-linked conservation sites. It details areas where specific attention is given to aquatic ecosystems and associated shorelines, providing context for the nation's marine geography and protected landscapes. Explore the mapped boundaries and understand the distribution of these vital marine reserves.

Share of country parks5%
22Mapped parksMarine Protected Areas in USA
Marine Protected Areas in USA

Mapped ecological and biodiversity reserves

Nature reserve

4%

Browse the network of nature reserves throughout the United States of America. These protected areas prioritize habitat conservation and ecosystem stability, ranging from coastal estuarine research sites to inland wilderness zones, forming an essential component of the national geographic framework.

Share of country parks4%
18Mapped parksUnited States of America Nature Reserves
United States of America Nature Reserves

Mapping subnational protected areas and regional landscapes.

State or regional park

2%

Browse the distribution of state and regional parks throughout the United States of America. This atlas view focuses on local protected lands, including state forests and regional reserves, helping you understand the geographic reach of subnational conservation efforts.

Share of country parks2%
7Mapped parksUnited States of America State and Regional Parks
United States of America State and Regional Parks

Geological formations and scenic natural sites

Natural monument

0%

Investigate the natural monuments of the United States of America. These protected sites feature standout geological formations and concentrated natural landscapes of immense significance, serving as focal points for geographic exploration and environmental study.

Share of country parks0%
1Mapped parkNatural Monuments in the United States of America
Natural Monuments in the United States of America
MoriAtlas Explorer

Continue Exploring United States of America's Protected Landscapes and Park Geography

Deepen your understanding of United States of America's natural heritage by continuing to browse its comprehensive list of national parks and protected areas. Examine the mapped distribution of these conservation landscapes and gain insight into their regional geographic significance. This focused exploration aids in appreciating the breadth of protected territories and their place within the broader atlas of natural environments.