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Quizzes > Geography

National Park Trivia: Test Your Knowledge of US Parks

Quick, free US national parks quiz to test your knowledge. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Matheus PintoUpdated Aug 27, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art promoting a National Parks Trivia Quiz.

This national park trivia quiz helps you test your knowledge of iconic landscapes, wildlife, and park history across the U.S. Answer 15 multiple-choice questions, get instant results, and learn a few facts as you go. If you enjoy the outdoors, try our camping trivia, explore wildlife with the endangered animals quiz, or venture further with jungle trivia.

Which was the first national park established in the United States?
Zion National Park
Yosemite National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park, established in 1872, is recognized as the first national park in the United States. It set the precedent for the national park system.
Which U.S. national park is renowned for its towering hoodoos, spire-like rock formations?
Zion National Park
Arches National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park
Bryce Canyon National Park is famous for its hoodoos, which are formed by frost weathering and stream erosion of sedimentary rocks. This unique landscape makes it renowned for its spire-like formations.
Which river carved the Grand Canyon in Grand Canyon National Park?
Mississippi River
Colorado River
Snake River
Rio Grande
Over millions of years, the Colorado River cut through successive layers of rock to form the Grand Canyon. No other river has played such a dominant role in carving this landmark.
Which large mammal is most commonly associated with Yellowstone National Park's wildlife?
Elk
American bison
Wolf
Grizzly bear
Yellowstone hosts the largest free-roaming population of American bison in the United States, making the species an iconic symbol of the park. Bison sightings are common in its grassland and meadow habitats.
Which waterfall is Yosemite National Park famous for having one of the tallest single-drop waterfalls in North America?
Yosemite Falls
Bridalveil Fall
Niagara Falls
Iguazu Falls
Yosemite Falls has a total height of 2,425 feet, making it one of the tallest waterfalls in North America. It is a defining feature of Yosemite National Park's famous valley scenery.
What geological process primarily shaped the U-shaped valleys in Glacier National Park?
Volcanic activity
River deposition
Tectonic uplift
Glacial erosion
During past ice ages, massive glaciers moved through the region, eroding the valleys into their characteristic U-shapes by plucking and abrasion. Other processes like volcanism and river deposition played lesser roles in shaping these landforms.
In what year was Arches National Park officially designated as a U.S. national park?
1984
1971
1925
1958
Arches was elevated from a national monument to a national park in 1971 by an act of Congress signed into law. This change recognized the park's unique geological features and attracted further conservation efforts.
Which national park is home to oceanic tide pool ecosystems teeming with starfish and sea anemones?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Olympic National Park
Channel Islands National Park
Everglades National Park
Olympic's coastal section includes rich intertidal zones where starfish, sea anemones, and other marine species thrive in tide pools. This park offers one of the few opportunities on the U.S. mainland to observe these ecosystems.
Which national park should you visit to experience geothermal features like geysers and hot springs?
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Teton National Park
Glacier National Park
Zion National Park
Yellowstone sits atop a volcanic hotspot, which fuels over 10,000 geothermal features including geysers and hot springs. No other U.S. national park has such a concentration of active hydrothermal activity.
Which park contains the famous sandstone formation known as Delicate Arch?
Capitol Reef National Park
Arches National Park
Zion National Park
Canyonlands National Park
Delicate Arch is a naturally freestanding sandstone arch and one of Arches NP's most famous landmarks. It exemplifies the erosional processes acting on Entrada Sandstone in the region.
What is the dominant rock type that forms the arches in Arches National Park?
Sandstone
Basalt
Limestone
Granite
Most arches in Arches NP are made of Entrada and Navajo Sandstone, which erode in patterns that form spectacular natural arches. Limestone, granite, and basalt are not dominant in creating these features.
When planning a visit to Everglades National Park, which practice best minimizes disturbance to wildlife habitats?
Off-trail hiking
Feeding birds along the canals
Helicopter tours
Using designated canoe or kayak routes
Using designated canoe and kayak routes limits disturbances to sensitive wetlands and wildlife corridors in Everglades NP. Off-trail travel and feeding wildlife can harm habitats and animal behavior.
Which national park features the tallest sand dunes in North America?
Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Joshua Tree National Park
White Sands National Park
Death Valley National Park
Great Sand Dunes NP and Preserve contains dunes that rise over 750 feet above the valley floor, making them the tallest in North America. This park protects these dunes and the surrounding alpine and wetland systems.
Which U.S. President signed the Organic Act of 1916 establishing the National Park Service?
William Howard Taft
Woodrow Wilson
Theodore Roosevelt
Franklin D. Roosevelt
President Woodrow Wilson signed the Organic Act in 1916, officially creating the National Park Service to manage national parks and monuments. This established the framework for park preservation and public enjoyment.
Which national park is known for protecting ancient bristlecone pine trees that are among the oldest living organisms on Earth?
Great Basin National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park
Joshua Tree National Park
Sequoia National Park
Great Basin NP protects groves of ancient bristlecone pines, some of which are over 4,000 years old. These trees are among the oldest living organisms on Earth and thrive in high-elevation soils.
Which national park was the first in the United States to be designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
Everglades National Park
Yosemite National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Grand Canyon National Park
Yellowstone was inscribed in 1978 as the first U.S. site on the UNESCO World Heritage list due to its outstanding geothermal features and biodiversity. Its diverse ecosystems and iconic thermal phenomena met UNESCO's criteria for outstanding natural value.
Which national park receives over 140 inches of annual rainfall, making it one of the wettest places in North America?
Olympic National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Everglades National Park
Redwood National Park
The Hoh Rainforest in Olympic NP receives over 140 inches of rainfall annually, making it one of the wettest spots in North America. This high precipitation creates a dense temperate rainforest supporting unique plant communities.
If you want to balance wildlife viewing with minimal crowding, which park and season combination is generally optimal?
Yellowstone in late spring
Grand Canyon in summer
Zion in early winter
Yosemite in summer
Late spring in Yellowstone allows visitors to witness wildlife calving and migration before summer crowds arrive. This timing balances high wildlife activity with fewer tourists.
Which national park is centered around a volcanic caldera formed by the collapse of Mount Mazama approximately 7,700 years ago?
Crater Lake National Park
Glacier National Park
Mount Rainier National Park
Yellowstone National Park
Crater Lake NP preserves the caldera formed by Mount Mazama's collapse around 7,700 years ago, which then filled with water to form the deep blue lake. The caldera's deep blue lake is the main attraction and a result of this ancient volcanic event.
Which ecosystem management strategy is most effective for preserving giant sequoia groves in the Sierra Nevada under modern drought conditions?
Building dams along nearby rivers
Implementing controlled burns to reduce underbrush
Introducing non-native tree species for diversity
Extensive clear-cutting around the groves
Controlled burns mimic natural fire regimes that giant sequoias evolved with and help reduce underbrush that fuels large wildfires. This strategy increases sequoia regeneration and resilience under drought conditions.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key features of major national parks
  2. Analyse geological formations and landscapes
  3. Recall historical facts about park establishment
  4. Evaluate wildlife habitats across U.S. parks
  5. Master famous landmarks and scenic spots
  6. Apply insights to plan an ideal park visit

Cheat Sheet

  1. Understand Geological Landmarks - Dive into Bryce Canyon's whimsical hoodoos and Yosemite's towering granite cliffs to see how frost weathering and glacial forces sculpt our planet's artistry. Exploring these dramatic landscapes helps you appreciate the slow-but-mighty power of Earth's natural processes. and
  2. Spot Geothermal Wonders - Yellowstone bubbles and steams with geothermal energy, showcasing geysers like Old Faithful that shoot water skyward on a volcanic heartbeat. Learning about these features introduces you to the fiery forces lurking beneath our feet.
  3. Track Park Origins - The national park movement kicked off in 1872 when Yellowstone became the world's first protected area. Studying this landmark decision reveals how conservation ideas evolved into the parks we cherish today.
  4. Explore Wildlife Comebacks - Badlands National Park is a conservation triumph, reintroducing black-footed ferrets to their native prairie home. Discover how science and dedication work hand in hand to bring species back from the brink.
  5. Meet Gigantic Trees - Sequoia National Park's General Sherman Tree holds the title for Earth's largest living thing by volume. Marveling at this humble giant underscores the importance of protecting ancient forests.
  6. Value Diverse Ecosystems - From scorching deserts to high alpine meadows, U.S. parks safeguard a mosaic of habitats. Understanding these varied ecosystems shows how parks serve as living laboratories for ecology.
  7. Study Glacial Sculpting - Yosemite's iconic U-shaped valleys were carved by ancient ice rivers grinding through rock. Learning glacial geology gives you insight into the chillier chapters of Earth's history.
  8. Preserve Endangered Species - Parks like Badlands play a vital role in safeguarding species such as the whooping crane. Examining these efforts highlights how protected areas act as wildlife lifelines.
  9. Uncover Cultural Heritage - Many parks honor centuries of Native American history, with Badlands showcasing ancient villages and sacred landscapes. Exploring this heritage deepens your connection to both nature and human history.
  10. Plan Your Ultimate Park Trip - Factor in seasonal weather, wildlife patterns, and park rules to craft an unforgettable adventure. Applying these planning tips ensures you make the most of every trail, vista, and sunset.
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