From Wilderness Connect, Learn About Wilderness, Fast Facts:
The Beginnings of the National Wilderness Preservation System
“When the Wilderness Act was passed in 1964, 54 areas (9.1 million acres) in 13 states were designated as wilderness. This law established these areas as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System. Since 1964, the NWPS has grown almost every year and now includes 806 areas (111,889,002) in 44 states and Puerto Rico. In 1980, the passage of the Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act (ANILCA) added over 56 million acres of wilderness to the system, the largest addition in a single year. 1984 marks the year when the most new wilderness areas were added.
“Overall, however, only about 5% of the entire United States—an area slightly larger than the state of California—is protected as wilderness. Because Alaska contains just over half of America's wilderness, only about 2.7% of the contiguous United States—an area about the size of Minnesota—is protected as wilderness.”
From The American Presidency Project, Proclamation 10438—National Wilderness Month, 2022:
“From the peaks of the Sierras to the rolling foothills of the Alleghenies, our Nation's wilderness boasts national treasures that provide opportunities for discovery, wonder, and serenity. They are also the current and ancestral homelands of Tribal Nations and Indigenous peoples, many of whom have deep cultural, historic, and spiritual connections to these places. During National Wilderness Month, let us express gratitude for lands and waters that remain in their natural condition, acknowledge the importance of making public lands accessible to all Americans, and rededicate ourselves to conserving and protecting the earth for future generations.
“When designated wilderness areas are left intact, they defend us against climate change, keep us resilient when natural disasters strike, and create a refuge for biodiversity. Our Nation's forests offset 10 percent of our greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions every year. Native grasslands, wetlands, and other healthy soils retain water at faster rates, protecting us against flooding and offering drought relief for surrounding vegetation. Owing to the beauty of these places—and perhaps anticipating their environmental importance—President Lyndon B. Johnson signed into law the 1964 Wilderness Act and created the National Wilderness Preservation System. In the years since, the Congress has designated over 800 wilderness areas comprising more than 111 million acres of land.”
Note: The table above is cropped to highlight Parks and Recreation, and Natural Resources, while hiding most rows. Also hidden are columns for Coefficient of Variation (%). The other Public Sector State and Local finance surveys also have data on these functions. They are on different cycle timing however and 2022 may not be their most recent data. Links for all of Public Sector are on this page.
The 2010 Population Distribution in the United States and Puerto Rico map (also referred to as the "Nighttime Map") portrays the distribution of population based on 2010 Census of Population and Housing results.
Note: Two versions of this dot distribution map are available, a large format map and a small format map. On the large format or wall map (which measures approximately 28 x 24 inches), each white dot represents 1,000 people. On the small format or page-size map above (which measures 11 x 8.5 inches), each white dot represents 7,500 people.
Source: 2017 Economic Census. The 2022 Economic Census will begin releasing data by March 2024.
FAQs
President Biden has proclaimed September 2023 as National Wilderness Month and the NPS is joining in recognizing this important month! Throughout September, we will celebrate our federal wilderness areas and the 59th anniversary of the Wilderness Act.
Which state has the most wilderness? ›
Because Alaska contains just over half of America's wilderness, only about 2.7% of the contiguous United States—an area about the size of Minnesota—is protected as wilderness.”
Where is the wilderness in the United States? ›
About 52% of the wilderness area is in Alaska, with 57,425,569 acres (89,727.452 sq mi; 232,393.03 km2) of wilderness. They are located in 44 states (excepting Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Kansas, Maryland, and Rhode Island) and Puerto Rico.
What is the difference between a national park and a wilderness area? ›
Unlike national parks, wilderness areas allow regulated hunting. And although wilderness areas prohibit logging, mining, and motorized vehicles, some resource extraction and livestock grazing persists in areas where those activities occurred prior to its wilderness status.
How many national wilderness are there? ›
Information about all of the 806 (2023) wildernesses that make up the National Wilderness Preservation System is available in a searchable format.
Where is the largest wilderness area in the US? ›
Idaho's Frank Church-River of No Return Wilderness is the largest designated wilderness in the lower 48 states.
What is the most visited wilderness in the US? ›
Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness, Minnesota
Boundary Waters is one of the most visited of all U.S. Wildernesses and for good reason. With 1,200 miles of canoe routes, 18 hiking trails and nearly 2,200 campsites, there's plenty of adventure as well as solitude to be found.
Is there any untouched land in the US? ›
Pursuant to the Wilderness Act, the U.S. now recognizes over 750 different wilderness areas totaling over 109 million acres of land. The largest U.S. wilderness area is the Wrangell-Saint Elias Wilderness in Alaska. This huge wilderness area consists of over 9 million acres of land.
Where is the most untouched land? ›
Greenland. At 970,000 square km, four times the size of the UK, Northeast Greenland National Park is the largest protected area on the planet – and entirely deserted.
Are there any untouched forests in the US? ›
The United States has a number of old growth forests and untouched wilderness areas that are truly breathtaking. Some examples include: Olympic National Park, Washington - This park features some of the largest remaining tracts of old-growth forest in the Pacific Northwest, including the Hoh Rainforest.
The Wilderness Act generally prohibits commercial activities within wilderness areas, although it allows commercial activities related to wilderness-type recreation. The act also generally prohibits motorized and mechanical access, and roads, structures, and other facilities within wilderness areas.
Which is the smallest designated wilderness area in the United States? ›
Did you know? The smallest wilderness area in the National Wilderness Preservation System is the five and half acres Pelican Island Wilderness in Florida.
What did the Wilderness Act of 1964 do? ›
The Wilderness Act of 1964 established the National Wilderness Preservation System and authorizes Congress to designate wilderness areas.
What is National wilderness Month? ›
Throughout September, we will celebrate our federal wilderness areas and the 59th anniversary of the Wilderness Act. The Wilderness Act established the National Wilderness Preservation System.
What is the largest national wilderness area? ›
Wrangell–Saint Elias Wilderness
This is the most expansive wilderness region of the US and is found in southwestern Alaska. The wilderness covers an area of about 14,185.4 square miles and lies within the biggest national park in the US, Wrangell-Saint Elias National Park.
What is the largest roadless area in the lower 48? ›
So what the hell is the Frank Church? At 2.3-million acres, it's the largest wilderness outside of Alaska. It spans a significant part of Central Idaho and is bordered on all sides by thousands more acres of National Forest and other wilderness.
What 5 US states have the most forested land? ›
The most forested states are Maine, New Hampshire, West Virginia, Vermont, Alabama, South Carolina, Georgia, Mississippi, Virginia, and New York. Maine is the most forested state in the country with 88.8% of the state covered in forest.
Where is most of the wilderness system? ›
In terms of total acres, Alaska, California, Arizona, Idaho, and Washington are the top five states for wilderness, containing almost 80 percent of the acreage in the system.
What state has the best nature? ›
California. Nature's bounty is on full display in the Golden State. With 280 state parks and nine national parks — the most out of all 50 states, California's beauty and natural diversity are unrivaled.
