National Parks in New York State

There are 22 national park service sites in New York State as of 2020. New Jersey and New York State share two of these national park sites. This complete list of sites shares the highlights of each site—which include monuments, memorials, recreation areas, historic, and even a national seashore. Read on for a photos of each of New York State’s national park service sites, a full description of what makes it special, and additional tips for anyone visiting.

NPS Sites New York State Placeholder
NPS Sites New York State
    • African Burial Ground National Monument
    • Castle Clinton National Monument
    • Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site
    • Federal Hall National Memorial
    • Fire Island National Seashore
    • Fort Stanwix National Monument
    • Gateway National Recreation Area
    • General Grant National Memorial
    • Governors Island National Monument
    • Hamilton Grange National Memorial
    • Harriet Tubman National Historical Park
  • Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
  • Martin Van Buren National Historic Site
  • Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site
  • Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
  • Saratoga National Historical Park
  • Statue of Liberty National Monument
  • Stonewall National Monument
  • Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site
  • Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site
  • Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site
  • Women’s Rights National Historical Park


African Burial Ground National Monument

African Burial Ground National Monument, New York
African Burial Ground National Monument, New York

This national monument is also a US National Historic Landmark located in New York, New York. It was named as one of the national park service sites in New York as it houses over 419 African remains buried during the 17th to 18th centuries. The site represents a portion of the largest cemetery for people of African descent from the colonial era. Some of these remains were of African slaves, while most others are free.

In the 18th century, the site was called “Negroes Burial Ground” and it had somewhere between 10,000 to 20,000 burial. This national monument is currently being referred to as the most important urban archaeological project in the US.

Castle Clinton National Monument

Castle Clinton National Monument, New York
Castle Clinton National Monument, New York

Located in Manhattan, New York, the Castle Clinton National Monument was once known as Castle Garden or Fort Clinton. It is a circular sandstone fort that was best remembered as the first immigration station in America. About 8 million people arrived in the US during the mid- to late-19th century and this fort served an important role in that time frame in history.

Before it was named as a national monument, this fort was also used as an exhibition hall, beer garden, public aquarium, and theater.

Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site

This 181-acre historic site is among the national park service sites in New York. It was established to preserve the home of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt, which is a cottage at Val-Kill. The surrounding areas of the property were also included in the preserved site. This home marked the only residence that Eleanor Roosevelt owned and this is where she spent her time following the 1945 death of her husband, former US President Franklin D. Roosevelt. Before the site was managed by the US NPS, it was sold to developers and turned into a rental unit.

Federal Hall National Memorial

Federal Hall National Memorial, New York
Federal Hall National Memorial, New York

Built in the 18th century, the Federal Hall in New York was the first capitol building in the US. This is also where the first US President, George Washington, was inaugurated. However, the building was demolished in 1812. Three decades later, the new Federal Hall National Memorial was built, which is now the site of the US Customs House. The management of this important and historic building was handed over to the National Park Service to aid in the preservation of the building and to commemorate the historic events that transpired here.

Fire Island National Seashore

This property aims to preserve the 26-mile section of Fire Island, which contains 17 private communities. This national seashore is only accessible via two bridges and they lack national roads in itself. You can travel to Fire Island only via private boat or ferry. The Fire Island National Seashore was listed as one of the managing units of the National Park Service in 1964.

Fort Stanwix National Monument

This is another one of the national park service sites in New York. This monument is of historical significance due to its successful defense of American troops in a 1777 siege. It was the British who built this fort due to the strategic location of the fort. However, it was captured by the American troops during the American Revolutionary War that caused the British army to abandon it. It is also the site of the 1768 Treaty of Fort Stanwix established between the Native American tribes and the British. Aside from the fort itself, the property also includes three short rails that surround the fort.

Gateway National Recreation Area

This national recreation area measures at over 26,000 acres in land area. It is located close to the port of New York City and New Jersey. The site is currently managed by the National Park Service and features a variety of recreational opportunities such as swimming, boating, hiking, camping and bird watching. An average of 10 million tourists visits this national recreation area each year.

There are 3 units included within the Gateway National Recreation Area: Jamaica Bay Unit, Staten Island Unit and Sandy Hook Unit. Each of these units comprises a specific attraction of their own.

General Grant National Memorial

General Grant National Memorial, New York
General Grant National Memorial, New York

The General Grant Memorial is more popularly referred to as Grant’s Tomb. This serves as the final resting place for former US President Ulysses Grant, to which the memorial is built in honor for. Aside from the former president, this site also bears the final resting place of the former president’s wife, Julia Dent Grant, who died in 1902.

It wasn’t until 1958 when the memorial was handed over to the management of the National Park Service. The national monument was established to honor the memory of the former president and once great soldier.

Governors Island National Monument

As one of the national park service sites in New York, this 22-acre property once belonged to the US Coast Guard. In 1995, the largest base of the Coast Guard (in Governor’s Island) was closed as part of their cost-saving measure. Later that year, the island was conveyed to the state of New York with a plan to develop it for public benefit. Before this, the island served an important role to the history of New York City since it served as an outpost that prevented any sea attack. There are several fortifications within the island built for their strategic defensive positions. Today, both the island and the monument are open to tourists on a seasonal basis. During the summer months, the monument receives an annual number of visits of up to 400,000.

Hamilton Grange National Memorial

Hamilton Grange National Memorial, New York
Hamilton Grange National Memorial, New York

The Grange, or Grange Mansion, as this national memorial is often referred to, is located in St. Nicholas Park in Manhattan. It is one of the national park service sites in New York and aims to preserve the relocated home of Alexander Hamilton. The mansion features re-creations of the interior rooms to give visitors an idea of what the house looked like by the time the US Founding Father Alexander Hamilton lived in that same house. This is just one of many interactive exhibits available within this national memorial site.

Harriet Tubman National Historical Park

This historical park is located in Auburn and Fleming and has ties with the life of Harriet Tubman. There are three properties that form this historical park: Harriet Tubman Home for the Aged, Thompson A.M.E. Zion Church and Harriet Tubman Residence. The grave of Harriet Tubman is buried in Fort Hill Cemetery but it is not included in the park.

Harriet Tubman is historically known as the ‘conductor’ of the Underground Railroad. She was referred to as the ‘Moses of her people’. She dedicated her life as a suffragist and for helping others who were unable to care for themselves.

Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site

The former home of US President Franklin D. Roosevelt in Springwood is listed as one of the national park service sites in New York. This served as the birthplace, home and burial place of the former President. His home was named as a national historic site in 1945. This site was visited by over 108,000 tourists on an annual basis. The home itself was built in the early 19th century.

Martin Van Buren National Historic Site

This is another historic site that is managed by the National Park Service in New York. It is located south of Albany and preserves the mansion of Martin Van Buren, the 8th US President. This mansion has 36 rooms in total. Former President Martin Van Buren purchased the home along with the estate in 1839. It served as his home after retirement. It was declared a national historic site in 1974 although it was previously declared (in 1961 to be exact) as a national historic landmark.

Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site

Saint Paul's Church National Historic Site, New York
Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site, New York

The Saint Paul’s Church National Historic Site in Mount Vernon was established in 1978 in order to protect the church from the increasing industrialization of the surrounding area. The parish that founded this church was founded in the late 17th century. The present-day Saint Paul’s Church was built in 1764, but it was given its current name in 1795. During the Revolutionary War in the 18th century, the church served as a hospital for the British Army. In the start of the 20th century, the parish declined until the last service was held in Saint Paul’s Church in May 1977. It was designated as a national historic site in 1943. As one of the national park service sites in New York, it is open to visitors via guided tours. There are over 13,000 tourists who visit the church yearly.

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site

This unit of the National Park Service in New York was the home where former US President Theodore Roosevelt spent his remaining years before his death. This site was also popularly referred to as the “Summer White House”. Today, the national historic site is open to the public and there are tours held on a regular basis at the property. Tourists will get to explore the house and its natural surroundings, which were a huge part of the former President’s legacy.

Saratoga National Historical Park

This historical park is located in Stillwater, New York. As one of the national park service sites in New York, it is governed by the US NPS to preserve the site of the Battle of Saratoga. This battle served as the first significant victory for the American troops during the Revolutionary War in 1777. During this battle, the American troops forced the British Army to surrender.

The historical park includes a Visitor Center wherein tourists can learn about the history of the site through film, artifact displays, and timelines. There are other notable attractions within the park including the Masonic Saratoga Monument and General Philip Schuyler House.

Statue of Liberty National Monument

Statue of Liberty National Monument, New York
Statue of Liberty National Monument, New York

The Statue of Liberty Monument has become an iconic landmark, not just of New York but all of United States. Thus, this is one of the most popular monuments in the list of national park service sites in New York. It was President Calvin Coolidge who declared the site a national monument in 1924. Meanwhile, during President Roosevelt’s time, he expanded the monument to include Bedloe’s Island. This monument is shared by New York with the state of New Jersey.

Stonewall National Monument

Stonewall National Monument, New York
Stonewall National Monument, New York

This 7.7-acre national monument is located in West Village, New York. Included within this property is Christopher Park, which is right across the street from Stonewall Inn. This site served as a memorial for the Stonewall riots that took place in 1969. This was believed to be the start of a worldwide movement to uphold the rights of the LGBT community in the United States, as well as the world.

It was officially declared a US National Monument in 2016 and was the first property of its kind dedicated to LGBT history.

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site, New York
Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site, New York

This is another historic site in New York dedicated to former President Theodore Roosevelt. This one is located in 28 East 20th Street in Broadway, New York. The site features a recreated brownstone house in the place of an old house that was built during the mid-19th century that was owned by Roosevelt. The former President was born in that same house in 1858 and lived with his family until 1872. A few years later, the Roosevelt family moved out and it was demolished. When President Roosevelt died, the lot was sold and the Women’s Roosevelt Memorial Association took the initiative to rebuild a house in that same spot to honor the memory of the president.

Theodore Roosevelt Inaugural National Historic Site

This national historic site was established to preserve the Ansley Wilcox House in Buffalo, New York. This is where William McKinley was assassinated and where Theodore Roosevelt took his oath as the President of the United States in 1901. A historical marker was erected in front of the house that details the inauguration of President Theodore Roosevelt. The entire area measures about an acre.

Vanderbilt Mansion National Historic Site

Located in Hyde Park, the Vanderbilt Mansion is one of the national park service sites in New York. It is a culturally important site as it exhibits the palaces that were built by the wealthy industrialists during the Gilded Age. The property measures at 211 acres along the Hudson River, which features views of the Catskill Mountains. The mansion also features natural woodlands, formal gardens and several auxiliary structures. The house was purchased by Frederick William Vanderbilt in 1895 as a season country residence.

Women’s Rights National Historical Park

This historical park was established in 1980 and includes several sites from Seneca Falls and Waterloo, New York. in total, there are four historical properties that are included within the Women’s Rights National Historical Park: Wesleyan Methodist Church, Seneca Falls Convention site, Elizabeth Cady Stanton House, and M’Clintock and Richard Hunt House. Aside from these structures and properties, there are also numerous history trails to explore within the park premises.


View all the National Park Service Sites in neighboring states: National Parks in Connecticut, National Parks in Massachusetts, National Parks in New Jersey, National Parks in Pennsylvania, National Parks in Vermont

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