RSM 200: Structure and Overview of the National Park Service
Overview of the National Park Service (NPS)
The National Park Service (NPS) oversees a vast system of 433 units, which includes 63 National Parks (as of August 2025).
It manages over 84 million acres of land, representing approximately 3.4\% of all U.S. land.
The NPS has an annual operational budget of 3.8 billion dollars, but faces a significant 23 billion dollar maintenance backlog.
It contributes substantially to the U.S. economy, adding 55.6 billion dollars annually and supporting over 400,000 jobs.
Total annual visitation to all NPS units is over 331 million visitors, with National Parks alone accounting for over 85 million visitors a year.
The NPS employs over 20,000 individuals, including permanent, temporary, and seasonal staff, and is supported by approximately 395,000 volunteers (VIPs, SCA).
Yellowstone National Park was the first National Park, established in 1872.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is the most visited, with 13,297,647 visitors in 2023.
The U.S. Government Structure and the NPS
The U.S. government is structured into three branches: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial, as outlined by The Constitution.
Legislative Branch: Comprises The Congress (Senate and House) and various supporting offices like the Architect of the Capitol, Congressional Budget Office, Government Accountability Office, Government Printing Office, Library of Congress, and U.S. Botanic Garden.
Executive Branch: Led by The President and Vice President, it includes the Executive Office of the President (e.g., Council of Economic Advisors, National Security Council, Office of Management and Budget) and numerous cabinet-level Departments.
Judicial Branch: Consists of The Supreme Court of the United States and other federal courts (e.g., U.S. Courts of Appeals, U.S. District Courts).
The National Park Service is a bureau within the U.S. Department of the Interior.
The Department of the Interior is headed by a Secretary and a Deputy Secretary.
It includes several Assistant Secretaries responsible for different areas: Policy, Management and Budget; Fish and Wildlife and Parks; Indian Affairs; Land and Minerals Management; and Water and Science.
Under the Assistant Secretary for Fish and Wildlife and Parks are the National Park Service and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Other key offices within the Department of the Interior include the Solicitor, Inspector General, and Special Trustee for American Indians. Bureaus under other Assistant Secretaries include the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement, Minerals Management Service, U.S. Geological Survey, and Bureau of Reclamation.
Origins of the National Park Service
The Antiquities Act (1906):
Signed into law by President Theodore Roosevelt.
Empowers the President to designate National Monuments by public proclamation to protect historic landmarks, historic and prehistoric structures, and other objects of historic or scientific interest on federal lands.
Many National Parks, such as Grand Canyon National Park, initially began as National Monuments.
Grand Canyon was first designated a Game Preserve (1906), then a National Monument (1908), and finally a National Park (1919).
The Organic Act (1916):
Signed into law by President Woodrow Wilson.
Officially created the National Park System and established the National Park Service to manage it.
Each park within the system is managed under its own specific Enabling Legislation, leading to variations in policies, management approaches, and allowable activities across different units.
NPS Mission Statements – Then and Now
1916 Mission Statement: To conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein, and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.
2000 Mission Statement (Modernized):
Preserve unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations.
Cooperate with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.
Types of National Park Service Units (Total: 433 as of August 2025)
National Parks: 63
National Historic Parks: 64
National Historic Sites: 75
National Monuments: 87
National Memorials: 31
National Preserves: 19
National Recreation Areas: 18
National Seashores: 10
National Battlefields/Parks: 11
National Lakeshores: 3
National Parkways: 4
National Rivers: 4
National Scenic and Historic Trails: 3
National Reserves: 2
International Historic Site: 1
Affiliated Areas: 25
Other Designations: 11
Organizational Structure of the NPS
The NPS is a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior.
It is led by the NPS Director, who is nominated by the President and confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
The Director is supported by three Deputy Directors and senior executives who manage programs, policy, and budget from the Washington D.C. headquarters.
Key headquarters roles include Chief of Staff, Chief of Office of Policy, Deputy Directors for Operations, Congressional and External Relations, and Management & Administration, and various Associate Directors for specific functions (e.g., Natural Resource Stewardship and Science, Cultural Resources, Visitor and Resource Protection, Workforce and Inclusion).
There are seven Regional Directors who are responsible for national park management and program implementation within their respective geographical areas.
These regions are: Alaska, Intermountain, Midwest, National Capital, Northeast, Pacific West, and Southeast.
Collectively, these Regional Directors, along with the headquarters leadership, form the National Leadership Council.
Funding and Budget
The NPS operates on an annual budget of roughly 3.8 billion dollars, but faces a substantial 23 billion dollar maintenance backlog.
Congressional appropriations are the largest source of funding, covering:
Resource stewardship
Visitor services
General operations
Construction
Land acquisition
Park protection
Facilities management
Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF):
Provides 900 million dollars annually for land acquisition.
Made permanent through the Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) of 2020.
Funded through permit royalties generated from offshore drilling.
Recreation fees:
Includes entrance fees, camping fees, and special-use fees.
Governed by the Federal Lands Recreation and Enhancement Act (FLREA), which mandates that funds primarily remain at the park where they were earned.
Concessions revenues:
The NPS earns a percentage of profits from authorized concessionaires operating within the parks (e.g., lodging, tour companies).
Partnerships:
A significant additional source of funding and assistance.
National Park Foundation (1967): The official nonprofit partner of the NPS, generating private support.
Park Friend Groups: Local non-profit organizations supporting individual parks.
Grants and Trust Funds.
Great American Outdoors Act (GAOA) (2020):
Provided long-term funding to address deferred maintenance backlog expenses.
Established the National Parks and Public Land Legacy Restoration Fund (LFR), committing up to 1.9 billion dollars annually for 5 years for maintenance, set to expire in 2025 currently.
Contribution to the Economy
National Parks are crucial economic drivers, particularly at the local level.
All NPS units combined contribute an estimated 55.6 billion dollars to the economy.
Nearly 26.4 billion dollars of this comes from direct visitor spending in communities within 60 miles of a park.
Visitor spending in these "gateway communities" supports lodging, meals, recreation activities, and gas.
The NPS supports approximately 415,400 full- and part-time jobs.
Job creation occurs in hospitality, park operations, and guiding services.
This economic activity leads to rural and gateway community revitalization, providing jobs, generating local tax revenues, and supporting crucial infrastructure like roads and broadband.
Types of Jobs and Volunteer Opportunities
Paid Positions: Approximately 20,000 employees.
Permanent staff: Career positions.
Seasonal and temporary workers: Particularly prevalent during summer and high visitation seasons.
Specialized roles: Include park rangers (for law enforcement and interpretation), scientists, maintenance personnel, historians, and administrators.
Volunteers: Approximately 395,000 individuals participate in various Volunteers-in-Parks (VIPs) programs.
Student Conservation Association (SCA): The largest provider of hands-on environmental conservation programs for youth and young adults, offering valuable support to the NPS.
Volunteers-In-Parks (VIPs): Directly support the NPS mission of preserving and protecting national parks through a wide array of activities.
Visitation and Popular Activities
National Parks (the 63 "crown jewels") alone attract 85 million visitors a year.
In 2024, the NPS set an overall record of 331.9 million recreation visits, an increase of 2\% from 2023.
The previous record was in 2016 (pre-COVID-19 pandemic) with 330,971,689 visits.
Most visited park: Great Smoky Mountains National Park with 12.1 million visitors per year.
Least visited park: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve with 11,907 visitors.
Favorite activities for visitors include:
Hiking and walking
Camping
Wildlife viewing
Backpacking
Wilderness exploration
Ranger programs and interpretation
Visiting cultural and historic sites
Photography
Scenic drives
Fishing, boating, and paddling
Non-Profit Friend Organizations
These organizations provide a strong base of non-profit and public collaboration to support national parks.
National Park Conservation Association (established 1919):
Mission: To advocate for the preservation of national parks and their resources, ensuring they remain accessible and enjoyable for all.
National Park Trust (established 1983):
Mission: To ensure that all individuals experience the "endless possibilities of our nation's parks."
Promotes park stewardship, education, recreation, and youth and family programs.
Sierra Club (began 1892):
Initially founded as a hiking group by John Muir.
A powerful grassroots organization advocating for environmental protection, including national parks.
Leave No Trace Principles
Leave No Trace is a set of ethics and outdoor practices designed to guide outdoor recreationists in minimizing their impact on natural resources. It is adopted by the NPS, U.S. Forest Service (USFS), and Bureau of Land Management (BLM).
The Seven Principles are:
Plan Ahead and Prepare: Proper planning minimizes potential impacts.
Travel and Camp on Durable Surfaces: Stick to existing trails and campsites to prevent erosion and vegetation damage.
Dispose of Waste Properly: Pack out trash, human waste, and leftover food; use proper waste facilities.
Leave What You Find: Preserve natural and cultural objects; do not remove artifacts, rocks, plants, or other natural features.
Minimize Campfire Impact: Use established fire rings, keep fires small, burn all wood to ash, and ensure fires are completely out.
Respect Wildlife: Observe wildlife from a distance, do not feed animals, and store food securely.
Be Considerate of Other Visitors: Respect fellow visitors and the quality of their experience by minimizing noise and yielding on trails.