Wilderness in National Parks

NPS staff review wilderness policy on field trip to the Gates of the Arctic Wilderness.
Law and Policy

The 1964 Wilderness Act and related NPS policy guides NPS staff in managing wilderness lands. How does law and policy affect wilderness?

Caribou antlers are shed on the tundra.
NPS Wilderness Categories

Did you know there are five categories of NPS wilderness? Learn about why these categories exist and how they differ from each other.

Bison in the Theodore Roosevelt Wilderness.
National Parks with Wilderness

Many national parks throughout the country manage their lands and waters as wilderness. Is there a NPS wilderness area near you?

Map of western U.S. designated wilderness areas.
Other Federal Lands with Wilderness

The National Wilderness Preservation System is an interagency network of federally designated wilderness areas.

Stories about NPS Wilderness
Stories about NPS Wilderness

Learn about wilderness-related news, events, and updates within national parks across the country.

Firefighter administers prescribed fire to a field.
Wilderness FAQs

Have a question about federal wilderness? Check out these frequent asked questions for more information.

Last updated: January 7, 2025

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