Important Links

Since 1916, the National Park Service has been entrusted with the care of our national parks. With the help of volunteers and partners, we safeguard these special places and share their stories with more than 318 million visitors every year. But our work doesn't stop there.

We are proud that tribes, local governments, nonprofit organizations, businesses, and individual citizens ask for our help in revitalizing their communities, preserving local history, celebrating local heritage, and creating close-to-home opportunities for kids and families to get outside, be active, and have fun.

Taking care of the national parks and helping Americans take care of their communities is a job we love, and we need—and welcome—your help and support.

Our Mission

The National Park Service preserves unimpaired the natural and cultural resources and values of the National Park System for the enjoyment, education, and inspiration of this and future generations. The National Park Service cooperates with partners to extend the benefits of natural and cultural resource conservation and outdoor recreation throughout this country and the world.

Explore general legislation and other laws relating to the National Park Service.

Our Employees

Approximately 20,000 strong, the uncommon men and women of the National Park Service share a common trait: a passion for caring for the nation's special places and sharing their stories.

How We Are Organized

The National Park Service is a bureau of the U.S. Department of the Interior and is led by a Director nominated by the US President and confirmed by the US Senate. The Director is supported by senior executives who manage national programs, policy, and budget in the Washington, DC, headquarters and seven regional directors responsible for national park management and program implementation.

Map of the United States showing National Park Service regions and national parks

View a larger version of the map showing national parks within the Department of the Interior's Unified Regions (1.2MB JPG) and learn more about the Unified Interior Regions.

Our Official Symbol

About the Arrowhead

The National Park Service Arrowhead is one of the most recognizable symbols and main ways people identify the National Park Service; along with our park ranger uniforms, national park signs, and publications. Its projectile point shape, bison, sequoia, lake, and mountains symbolize the natural and cultural resources that the agency stewards as part of our mission.

The Arrowhead was formally authorized on July 20, 1951, and became the official symbol of the National Park Service in March 1962. Learn more about the history of the Arrowhead.

Protected Trademark and Legal Notice

The Arrowhead became a protected trademark in 1962 (U.S. Reg. No. 4706627). The National Park Service allows limited external use of the Arrowhead with prior authorization and when doing so contributes to our work. Learn how to request permission to use the arrowhead.

The Arrowhead is protected under federal regulations and trademark law (36 CFR Part 11, et seq.). Additionally, the National Park Service asserts intellectual property rights in its full, official park, program, and unit names. Any use of the NPS Arrowhead without written authorization from the U.S. Department of the Interior is subject to the penalty provisions of 18 U.S.C. 701. The unauthorized use of an official federal insignia is a crime, pursuant to the aforementioned 18 U.S.C. 701, 18 U.S. Code § 701 - Official badges, identification cards, other insignia | U.S. Code | US Law | LII / Legal Information Institute.

Learn More

Follow Us

Visit our official social media sites to see what's happening:

Last updated: March 11, 2026