The world’s newest national parks
Earth’s natural beauty
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/276e4707-a00d-45c5-9ecc-ab8fc99a7624-new-national-parks.jpg)
White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/422086a3-b35f-4faa-a60f-8887e29c55ba-Newestnationalparks_WhiteSands.jpg)
White Sands National Park, New Mexico, USA
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/46436ea0-eed0-4d79-8360-990474583169-Newestnationalparks_whitesands_.jpg)
Visitors to White Sands National Park are able to sledge down the park's numerous sandy dunes – one of the park's most popular activities. However, visitors can also soak up the landscape while camping in the park, on full-moon hikes or watching meteor showers. There’s a lot of biodiversity to be found here and the park’s ranger programmes also provide guided tours for those who wish to learn more.
Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana, USA
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/3d43700f-f128-4510-9c62-9da52c88712f-Newestnationalparks_IndianaDunes.jpg)
Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana, USA
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/d58b3e10-008c-4a48-97e9-7ba350ac949c-Newestnationalparks_IndianaDunes_.jpg)
Indiana Dune’s status as a national lakeshore had already placed it as a popular spot for visitors looking for a beach day. More recently, its wetlands have contributed to protecting rare birds, which can be seen on the park’s 50 miles (80km) worth of trails. One of these trails is named after Alice Mabel Gray, who hiked and lived in the dunes alone in an abandoned shanty in the early 1900s.
Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories, Canada
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/91588274-28de-4253-89fc-cd5b678f83a1-PaulGierszewskiPublic domainviaWikimediaCommons.jpg)
In 2019, Thaidene Nene became Canada’s newest national park. The area, which sits on the east side of the Great Slave Lake in the Northwest Territories, comprises of barrens and subarctic forests. As the national park is in a remote location, it's inaccessible by road, but visitors can arrive by air, watercraft or snowmobile.
Thaidene Nene National Park Reserve, Northwest Territories, Canada
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/1d36d1c3-5cdd-40dd-8011-f57d7d8ae7b4-newestnationalparks_thaidenenene_.jpg)
The preservation of Thaidene Nene under the national park scheme is important because it protects Indigenous lands. The park – also known as The Land of the Ancestors in the Dënesųłiné Yati language – is managed alongside the local Indigenous governments operating in the region. Visitors to the land can expect to learn more about cultural practices with the Indigenous tour guides operating on the island.
Sanjiangyuan National Park, China
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/e9dbadc5-1e1d-4e2f-acab-8534657014ca-newestnationalparks_Sanjiangyuan.jpg)
Sanjiangyuan National Park, China
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/5f621eb0-d0aa-4d8c-a837-817f7d9749e7-newestnationalparks_Sanjiangyuan_.jpg)
The state of Sanjiangyuan’s landscape has deteriorated due to climate change and overgrazing in the area. The transition to national park status hopes to protect and encourage the breeding of protected animals such as wild yaks, snow leopards, Tibetan antelopes and gazelles – some of which visitors may be able to see as they trek along this mountainous terrain.
Love this? Follow our Facebook page for more travel inspiration
Deep Creek National Park, South Australia, Australia
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/945b7ff9-d48e-483e-b496-26355f97cfa8-DeepCreekNationalPark.jpg)
As the largest remaining portion of natural vegetation on Fleurieu Peninsula, Deep Creek, was upgraded from a conservation park to a national park in 2021. It’s currently home to many species including Western grey kangaroos, beaked echidnas and more than a hundred bird species. The park also oversees the migration route of whales.
Deep Creek National Park, Adelaide, Australia
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/d8cf7569-71da-405b-be5f-5f762e593c77-DeepCreekNationalPark1.jpg)
Deep Creek National Park is a prime spot for those looking to be at one with nature. There are five campsites dotted around the area – one of which is only accessible by hiking. Activities on offer include fishing, four-wheel drive trekking and whale watching.
Lake Frome National Park, South Australia, Australia
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/9dff93c8-6386-4079-ae7e-9b8378f0ad11-Newestnationalparks_lakefrome.jpg)
Lake Frome National Park, South Australia, Australia
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/0280c91d-b6b3-43bc-bda6-af8c053e9e5e-Newestnationalparks_lakefrome_.jpg)
One of the best ways to explore Lake Frome is via its four-wheel-drive track. It means visitors have to start from Vulkathunha-Gammon Ranges National Park – a flat and stoney route through Balcanoona Creek. When visitors reach Lake Frome’s Conservation area they’ll be able to admire the wildlife from the bird hide on site.
Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park, South Australia, Australia
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/a8f5fe4d-e60f-4e75-8f8a-1c9f31a13ebd-newestnationalparks_mungathirri.jpg)
Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert National Park, South Australia, Australia
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/869eed3d-6d20-41b8-9028-7b379cdb393a-MungaThirriSimpsonDesertNationalPark.jpg)
As the Munga-Thirri-Simpson Desert is so large, bushwalking is not so much of an option here. However, four-wheel-driving trails are available if visitors have a Desert Park Pass. In addition, there are plenty of camping beauty spots, especially near the famous salt lakes which are located at the heart of the national park.
Nilpena Ediacara National Park, South Australia, Australia
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/a3eeac1e-ffae-48bd-a10c-35349c77e8e1-NilpenaEdiacaraNationalPark1.jpg)
Nilpena Ediacara has been precious land in Australia for quite some time. It’s where the earliest traces of animal life were found and is also the homeland of the Indigenous Adnyamathanha people. In 2019, the Australian government bought nearly 150,000 acres of land which extends to Lake Torrens National Park and Ediacara National Park. This new grouped area was declared Nilpena Ediacara National Park in 2021.
Nilpena Ediacara National Park, South Australia, Australia
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/a14d622e-d113-4e4e-befe-b1c996ec62f3-NilpenaEdiacaraNationalPark.jpg)
Nilpena Ediacara is leaning into its fossil heritage when it comes to tourism. Although it's currently not open to tourists, there’s an immersive fossil experience expected to open to the public at the end of 2022. This attraction will include audio-visual learning and board walking through the fossil fields on guided tours.
New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia, USA
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/1236fddb-ec6f-4281-9c67-64c3fcce8747-Newestnationalparks_NewRiverGorge.jpg)
New River Gorge National Park, West Virginia, USA
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/b8228d10-aa9a-4542-8d35-89ef556195aa-Newestnationalparks_NewRiverGorge_.jpg)
New River Gorge’s diverse terrain naturally lends itself to rural activities with scenic viewpoints. Visitors can spend time hiking on one of the numerous trails, biking along its old railroad grade or rafting on the river. The park also serves as a beneficial area for wildlife conservation, particularly for aquatic animals such as mussels, crayfish and rare amphibians.
Read surprising US national park facts you probably didn't know
Raimona National Park, India
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/602deebd-3376-4847-946f-bb3b118fdd1a-Wild_elephant_Raimona_National_Park.jpg)
In 2021, Indian state of Assam was awarded two new national parks. One of these was Raimona National Park – an expanse of land that covers 163 square miles (422sq km). Raimona’s landscape is an essential habitat for long-ranging animals that are particularly prone to poaching.
Raimona National Park, India
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/e38f3b14-7c78-453f-a4f7-4292ab1a854f-Spotted_deer_raimona-national-park.jpg)
Visitors here are able to witness animals they’re unlikely to see anywhere else. This includes elephants, tigers, wild buffalos, clouded leopards and golden langurs. The biodiverse spot is also home to 150 species of butterflies, 170 bird species and nearly 380 plant species.
Dehing Patkai National Park, India
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/ded995f8-fe1d-440e-bc10-c0e1887d949b-DehingPatkaiNationalPark.jpg)
Dihing Patkai is the second area of Assam to be declared a national park in 2021. It spreads over 89 square miles (231sq km) of land, falling across the districts of Tinsukia and Dibrugarh. The land mainly comprises of tropical wet evergreen forests.
Dehing Patkai National Park, India
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/9ac6bda5-db08-443a-b627-3f67bf6c1f96-newestnationalparks_dihing_patkai.jpg)
Dehing Patkai holds some of the last remaining patches of rainforest in Assam and its national park status is a welcomed move by conservationists. This dwindling area is home to vulnerable species like tigers, as well as reptiles and butterflies. It's also an elephant reserve dedicated to support and manage the free-roaming population of the Asian elephants.
Cleland National Park, South Australia, Australia
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/8d4b6a26-c638-450a-8dad-6c7ad8eec68b-newestnationalparks_Cleland.jpg)
In 2021, Cleland Conservation Park was officially made a national park to recognise the area’s efforts to protect natural bushland since 1945. The park stretches from lower woodlands, where you’ll find Waterfall Gully, to higher land with Mount Lofty Summit towering over nearby Adelaide. Its broad terrain is home to numerous species, including the endangered southern brown bandicoot, koalas and kangaroos.
Cleland National Park, Adelaide, Australia
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/50ba8c67-9af1-4cf5-b518-9f1b87d48771-newestnationalparks_Cleland_.jpg)
Visitors to Cleland National Park can take to one of the park’s numerous trails by foot or by bike. The park also holds events throughout the year, including workshops and concerts. The wildlife park offers numerous day experiences, from meeting cockatoos to learning how to care for koalas. There are also live feedings, guided night walks and plenty of dedicated kids experiences.
Dryandra National Park, Western Australia, Australia
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/f7539714-e880-40d9-9330-1c9c50dd0fae-Newestnationalparks_drydandra.jpg)
At the beginning of 2022, Dryandra’s State Woodland officially converted to a national park. The park – near Narrogin – is the first to be created in Western Australia’s Wheatbelt region. In total, the 17, 870 hectares of woodland are now protected under the national park scheme.
Dryandra National Park, Western Australia
![](https://loveincorporated.blob.core.windows.net/contentimages/gallery/85ec5571-d41b-446c-b151-60302ea585ea-Newestnationalparks_dryandra_.jpg)
Dryandra’s importance as a national park sits within its efforts to preserve local wildlife. It is a major habitat for some of Australia’s most endangered species such as woylies, brushtail wallabies, chuditch, quenda and mound-building malleefowl. In recent years, the park has also increased the numbat population and the public are able to meet these creatures in the park’s animal sanctuary.
Comments
Be the first to comment
Do you want to comment on this article? You need to be signed in for this feature