National Natural Landmark facts for kids

The Trona Pinnacles with National Natural Landmark sign

Shiprock National Natural Landmark

Wissahickon Valley plaque in Philadelphia near Valley Green Inn

The National Natural Landmarks (NNL) Program helps find and protect amazing natural places across the United States. It's the only program that officially recognizes the best examples of biological (living things) and geological (earth features) sites. These special places can be on land owned by the public or by private citizens.

This program started on May 18, 1962, thanks to United States Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall. Its main goal is to encourage people to voluntarily protect sites that show the incredible geological and ecological story of the U.S. It also helps everyone appreciate our country's natural treasures more.

As of August 2025, there are 605 sites on the National Registry of Natural Landmarks. These important natural spots are found in 48 states, American Samoa, Guam, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

The National Park Service runs the NNL Program. They can also help owners and managers take care of these sites if asked. The program does not aim for the government to buy these lands. National Natural Landmarks are important places owned by many different people and groups. Joining this program is completely up to them.

The NNL Program is based on a law called the Historic Sites Act from 1935. Being named an NNL means the owner agrees to protect the special natural features of their site as much as possible. The owner is fully responsible for managing and preserving their landmark. Either the owner or the government can end this agreement after telling the other party.

How a Place Becomes a National Natural Landmark

Becoming an NNL is a careful process. The Secretary of the Interior makes the final decision. This happens after scientists study a potential site very closely. The owner must also agree to the designation. To be considered, a site must be one of the best examples of natural features in its region.

Here are the steps involved in choosing a new NNL:

• Scientists first look at a natural area to find the most promising sites.
• Landowners are told that their site is being considered for NNL status. Then, different scientists visit the site for a detailed check.
• Other experts review this evaluation report to make sure it's accurate.
• Staff from the National Park Service also review the report.
• The Secretary of the Interior's National Park Advisory Board checks if the site truly qualifies as an NNL.
• The findings go to the Secretary of the Interior, who decides to approve or decline the site.
• Finally, landowners are told a third time if their site has been named an NNL.

Places that can become NNLs include land and water ecosystems. They also include geological features like rocks, landforms that show how the Earth changes, or parts of Earth's history. Even fossil evidence of how life has changed over time can be an NNL. For example, a "Lakes and ponds" theme could include deep lakes, crater lakes, or even swamps and marshy areas.

Who Owns National Natural Landmarks?

The NNL program does not require special properties to be owned by the government. Many types of owners have NNLs on their land. This includes federal, state, local, city, and private owners.

Federal lands with NNLs are managed by groups like the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service. Some NNLs are also on lands belonging to Native American tribes. State lands with NNLs can be forests, parks, or game refuges.

Private lands with NNLs belong to universities, museums, and conservation groups. They can also be owned by businesses or private individuals. About 52% of NNLs are managed by public agencies. More than 30% are completely privately owned. The rest (18%) are a mix of public and private ownership.

Visiting National Natural Landmarks

Being an NNL doesn't mean a place has to be open to the public. Many NNLs are open for tours, but others are not. Since many NNLs are on federal and state land, you often don't need special permission to visit.

Some private NNLs might be open to visitors or just need permission from the manager. However, some private owners don't want any visitors at all. They might even take legal action against trespassers. This could be because of possible damage, dangerous areas, or simply a wish for privacy.

What NNL Status Means for Property Owners

NNL designation is an agreement between the property owner and the U.S. government. It does not change who owns the property. It also doesn't add any new burdens or rules to the land. If the property changes owners, the NNL status does not automatically transfer.

Joining the NNL Program means landowners promise to keep their NNL property in its natural state. If a landowner plans to make big changes that would harm the habitat or landscape, being part of the program wouldn't make sense.

The NNL designation itself doesn't create new land use rules. State or local governments could, on their own, create rules or zoning laws that might affect an NNL. However, as of 2005, no such cases have been found. Some states do require planners to know where NNLs are located.

List of Landmarks

Here is a list of National Natural Landmarks, organized by state or territory. As of August 2025, there are 605 landmarks.

State or territory	Number of landmarks	Number, non-duplicated	Earliest declared	Latest declared	Image
Alabama	7	7	October 1971	November 1987
Alaska	16	16	1967	1976
American Samoa	7	7	1972	1972
Arizona	10	10	1965	2011
Arkansas	5	5	1972	1976
California	37	37	1964	January 2021
Colorado	17	16	1964	2023
Connecticut	8	7	April 1968	November 1973
Delaware	0
Florida	18	18	March 1964	May 1987
Georgia	11	11	1966	April 2013
Guam	4	4	1972	1972
Hawaii	7	7	June 1971	December 1972
Idaho	11	11	1968	1980
Illinois	18	18	1965	1987
Indiana	30	29	1965	1986
Iowa	7	7	1965	1987
Kansas	5	5	1968	1980
Kentucky	7	6	1966	2009
Louisiana	0
Maine	14	14	1966	1984
Maryland	6	5	1964	1980
Massachusetts	11	10	October 1971	November 1987
Michigan	12	12	1967	1984
Minnesota	8	7	1965	1980
Mississippi	5	5	1965	1976
Missouri	16	16	June 1971	May 1986
Montana	10	10	1966	1980
Nebraska	5	5	1964	2006
Nevada	6	6	1968	1973
New Hampshire	11	11	1971	1987
New Jersey	11	10	October 1965	June 1983
New Mexico	12	12	1969	1982
New York	29	27	March 1964	2023
North Carolina	13	13	1967	1983
North Dakota	4	4	1960	1975
Northern Mariana Islands	0
Ohio	23	23	1965	1980
Oklahoma	3	3	December 1974	June 1983
Oregon	11	11	1966	June 2016
Pennsylvania	27	27	March 1964	January 2009
Puerto Rico	5	5	1975	1980
Rhode Island	1	1	May 1974	May 1974
South Carolina	6	6	May 1974	May 1986
South Dakota	13	12	1965	1980
Tennessee	13	13	1966	1974
Texas	21	21	1965	2024
Utah	4	4	October 1965	1977
Vermont	12	11	1967	2009
Virgin Islands	7	7	1980	1980
Virginia	10	10	1965	1987
Washington	18	18	1965	2011
Washington D.C.	0
West Virginia	16	15	1964	2021
Wisconsin	18	18	1964	May 2012
Wyoming	6	5	October 1965	December 1984

See also

In Spanish: Hito natural nacional para niños

• National Historic Landmark