List of proposed national parks of the United States

National parks in the United States are created by United States Congress legislation as per the National Park Service Organic Act. However, most parks are first proposed by members of the public, states, local entities, tribal nations, members of Congress, or even the National Park Service itself.

Criteria for National Parks
For an area to become a unit of the National Park System, it must possess nationally significant natural, cultural, or recreational resources; be a suitable and feasible addition to the system; and require direct management by the National Park Service (NPS) (rather than protection by the private sector or other governmental agencies).

A proposed area is considered nationally significant if it meets all four of the following standards:


 * 1) It is an outstanding example of a particular type of resource.
 * 2) It possesses exceptional value or quality in illustrating or interpreting the natural or cultural themes of the heritage of the United States.
 * 3) It offers superlative opportunities for recreation for public use and enjoyment, or for scientific study.
 * 4) It retains a high degree of integrity as a true, accurate, and relatively unspoiled example of the resource.

Members of the United States Congress can authorize the NPS to conduct a special resource study to gather information surrounding potential inclusions into the National Park System. Each special resource study will examine each of the above four criteria individually. However, units of the System are ultimately created by legislation. Proposed parks which have seen legislation put forth in Congress are shaded in green below. Other proposals, including those by the public in the form of documents or editorials in local media, are also included below.