24 UNESCO World Heritage Sites in United States of America

Located in the continent of North America, the United States of America (USA) comprises 50 states. The country stands out for its rapid growth in terms of politics and economy. Every year, it attracts millions of tourists with tons of tourist destinations. Many of these have gained the status of world heritage sites by UNESCO.

Keep reading this article for a complete guide.

The USA is filled with multiple tourist destinations and sites. Currently, there are about 24 UNESCO World Heritage sites in the USA. These are listed below:

1. Mesa Verde National Park (1978)

It is one of the most popular UNESCO sites in the USA, built between the 6th and 12th centuries. Located at an altitude of 2,600 m, this park houses more than 4,400 sites of ancestral Pueblo Indian dwellings. The cliff dwellings are the most popular among the tourists, which include the multi-storey Cliff Palace, Square Tower House, and Balcony House.

• Location: 6GJQ+87 Mesa Verde National Park, Colorado, USA
• Ideal Time to Explore: May to August will be ideal to visit this park.
• Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to sunset
• Entry Fee: $5-$8 per person, $10-$15 for each vehicle

2. Yellowstone National Park (1978)

Covering nearly 9,000 km2, this park stands out for showcasing exceptional geological phenomena and processes. The unique geothermal forces and wild ecosystems have contributed to enhancing its natural beauty. Its collection of geysers, a diverse range of wildlife and numerous waterfalls have contributed to its world heritage status. 

• Location: CCH6+5J Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
• Ideal Time to Explore: The months of April, September and October will be ideal to visit this park free of the crowds. 
• Hours of Operation: Open all day
• Entry Fee: $20 for a 7-day pass per person, $30-$35 for a 7-day pass per vehicle

3. Kluane/Wrangell-St. Elias/Glacier Bay/Tatsheshini-Alsek (1978-1994)

These are four parks contributing to a unique complex containing high peaks and glaciers. It stands out for housing the world’s largest non-polar icefield. The area has a high biodiversity, with coastal biogeoclimatic zones, forests, and marine and sub-alpine areas. 

These sites are also home to an impressive collection of fauna, including anadromous fish and marine mammals. 

• Location:
  • Kluane: Yukon, Canada
  • Wrangell-St. Elias: Alaska, USA
  • Glacier Bay: Alaska, USA
  • Tatsheshini-Alsek: Stikine Region, Canada 
• Ideal Time to Explore: June to August are ideal months for visiting these parks. 
• Hours of Operation:
  • Kluane: 9:00 AM to 7:00 PM
  • Wrangell-St. Elias: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM
  • Glacier Bay: 6:00 AM to 10:00 PM
  • Tatsheshini-Alsek: Open all-day
• Entry Fee:
  • Kluane: No entry fee is required 
  • Wrangell-St. Elias: No entry fee is required
  • Glacier Bay: Free for children and youth under 18, $10.50 per person for adults, $9 per person for senior citizens and $21 for families or groups 
  • Tatsheshini-Alsek: $9.80/person a night for Kluane Wilderness Pass, $100 for a group permit 

4. Everglades National Park (1979)

This park has received its status as a world heritage site because of its unique sub-tropical wilderness reserve. Its natural beauty is also impeccable, with shallow bays, brackish water and a diverse range of flora and fauna.

Moreover, it houses the largest mangrove ecosystem in the Western Hemisphere, along with a stand of sawgrass prairie and limestone substrate.

• Location: 40001 State Road 9336, Homestead, Florida
• Ideal Time to Explore: December to March can be suitable for travel to this park. 
• Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM
• Entry Fee: $5 per person for a 7-day pass, $10 per vehicle for a 7-day pass, $25 for an annual pass

5. Grand Canyon National Park (1979)

It is one of the largest ongoing geological spectacles in the world. The 1.5 km deep gorge has contributed to its status as a world heritage site, which is up to 30 km wide. It was formed during 6 million years of erosion and other geological activities caused by the Colorado River.

Moreover, the temple-like buttes, plunging depths, forests, lava flows, streams, waterfalls, etc., have also caught the eyes of the tourists.

• Location: 20 South Entrance Road Grand Canyon, Arizona
• Ideal Time to Explore: March to May and September to November are ideal months to visit this park.
• Hours of Operation: Open all day
• Entry Fee: $20 per person for a 7-day pass, $35 per vehicle for a 7-day pass, $8 per person for regularly scheduled transit or shuttle

6. Independence Hall (1979)

This building is a major UNESCO heritage site in the USA, as the Declaration of Independence of 1776 and the Constitution of the United States of 1787 were both signed here. The universal principles of freedom and democracy as pointed out in these two documents had major implications for the lawmakers and political thinkers of the country.

• Location: 520 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19106, USA
• Ideal Time to Explore: March to April and September to October can be the ideal time for visiting this place. 
• Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entry Fee: No entry fee required

7. Redwood National Park and State Parks (1980)

This park borders the Pacific Ocean north of San Francisco, with a region of coastal mountains in its surroundings. It is covered with a lush green forest of coastal redwood trees, which are the tallest worldwide.

Apart from that, the wide range of wildlife in this park is also impressive, including sea lions, the California brown pelican and the bald eagle. It stands out to the tourists for its natural beauty and rich collection of flora and fauna.

• Location: CX25+M8 Orick, California, USA
• Ideal Time to Explore: The April to June period is the best season and can be ideal for a visit. 
• Hours of Operation: Open all day 
• Entry Fee: No entry fee required

8. Olympic National Park (1981)

The list of UNESCO world heritage sites in the USA will be incomplete without this park. Its diverse ecosystems with glacier-clad peaks and alpine meadows with a large forest have contributed to its popularity.

The Olympic Mountains and 11 river systems draining it contribute to its natural beauty. Moreover, the park houses a diverse range of wildlife including the spotted owl and marbled murrelet.

• Location: R92W+R7 Port Angeles, Washington
• Ideal Time to Explore: June to August will be the best period to visit this place.
• Hours of Operation: Open all day
• Entry Fee: Free for children under 15, $5 per person for a single visit, $15 per visit with a vehicle

9. Mammoth Cave National Park (1981)

This is another popular national park, which received the status of a world heritage site for its underground passageways and natural caves. Here, you can witness the various stages involved in the Earth's evolutionary history and other geological processes. 

Moreover, it houses more than 130 species of a diverse range of cave-dwelling wildlife, making it more popular. 

• Location: 5RJX+JQ Mammoth Cave, Kentucky
• Ideal Time to Explore: November to February will have the best weather and be ideal for exploring this area. 
• Hours of Operation: Open all day 
• Entry Fee: No entry fee is required, the camping fee starts from $17 per night 

10. Cahokia Mounds State Historic Site (1982)

It is the largest pre-Columbian settlement, which exhibits the features of a complex chiefdom society with multiple satellite mound centres. This site is popular for being a perfect centre for the culture, religion and values of the Mississippian era.

Covering six hectares with a height of 30 m. It stands out for being one of the earliest Mississippian settlements.

• Location: MW4Q+27 Collinsville, Illinois
• Ideal Time to Explore: Throughout the year 
• Hours of Operation: Open all day
• Entry Fee: No entry fee required, you can donate $2-$15

11. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (1983)

This beautiful national park is one of the most popular UNESCO World Heritage sites in the United States. It is the home to more than 3,500 types of plant species, including about 130 natural species of trees. 

Moreover, it also has a huge collection of endangered species of animals, with a great variety of salamanders. The scenic beauty is exceptional, with long virgin timber and running streams. 

• Location: JC7W+6P Gatlinburg, Tennessee
• Ideal Time to Explore: May to August is usually the best time to visit this park. 
• Hours of Operation: Open all day 
• Entry Fee: No entry fee required

12. La Fortaleza and San Juan National Historic Site (1983)

This site represents a series of structures built between the 16th and 20th centuries in the Caribbean Sea to protect the Bay of San Juan. You can witness a fine European military architecture style in these structures, reflecting influences from the Baroque, Italian Renaissance, and French Enlightenment. They symbolise the cultural ties linking the Hispanic world. 

• Location: San Juan, 00901, Puerto Rico
• Ideal Time to Explore: Throughout the year 
• Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entry Fee: Free for children under 15, $10 per person for adults for 24 hours 

13. The Statue of Liberty (1984)

A French sculptor Bartholdi built this statue as France's gift to American independence, and it was inaugurated in 1886. The exceptional design and construction make it a perfect blend of both art and engineering.

The statue represents the human spirit, holding the USA Declaration of Independence in her left hand. It is also a symbol representing liberty, peace, human rights, democracy, etc.

• Location: MXQ4+M5 New York
• Ideal Time to Explore: April to June includes the best months when you can visit this place. 
• Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entry Fee: $12 per person for children aged 4-12, $24 per person for visitors aged 13-61, $18 for senior citizens aged 62 or more

14. Yosemite National Park (1984)

This park is known for its unique hanging valets, along with multiple lakes and waterfalls. Tourists are drawn to the overview that this park offers of different types of granite relief created by glaciations.

With deeply incised valleys, granite domes and walls, alpine meadows and giant sequoia, this park stands out for its exceptional natural beauty.

• Location: Sierra Nevada, California
• Ideal Time to Explore: November to April is considered ideal for planning a trip to this park. 
• Hours of Operation: Open all day
• Entry Fee: Free for children under 15, $10 per visitor aged 16 or more, $20 per vehicle

15. Chaco Culture (1987)

It is a network of archaeological sites which have preserved several elements of the pre-Columbian culture that dominated the US between the 9th and 13th centuries. Apart from the Chaco Culture National Historical Park, you will be able to explore the Aztec Ruins National Monument and a few other protected archaeological areas here.

The sites are linked with custom-engineered roads. You can witness multi-storey structures with sophisticated coursed masonry.

• Location: Nageezi, New Mexico
• Ideal Time to Explore: September and October are considered the best months for visiting this site. 
• Hours of Operation: 7:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entry Fee: $15 per person, $20-$25 per vehicle 

16. Hawaii Volcanoes National Park (1987)

This property is a great example to exhibit the formation of islands through volcanoes. The process of shield-building volcanism has made this park’s landscape dynamic, which keeps changing constantly.

Here, you can experience the unique side of nature, with lava flows revealing new geological formations. Tourists can also spot rare species of birds and giant fern forests here.

• Location: Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, Hawaii Island 
• Ideal Time to Explore: June to September is the most popular period for visiting this park. 
• Hours of Operation: Open all day 
• Entry Fee: $15 per person for a 7-day pass, $25-$30 per vehicle for a 7-day pass

17. Monticello & the University of Virginia (1987)

Located at the heart of the University of Virginia, Monticello is the 'academical village' of Thomas Jefferson. He was the third President of the US and wrote the American Declaration of Independence.

The buildings are great examples of Neoclassicism, reflecting Jefferson’s idea of the new American republic. You can witness classical Roman buildings here, with Doric columns and friezes and cornices.

• Location: 2FMR+CR Charlottesville, Virginia, USA
• Ideal Time to Explore: August to September can be the best time to plan a trip to this area. 
• Hours of Operation: 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entry Fee: $25-$28 per person, free for the students of UVA

18. Taos Pueblo (1992)

This is a complex containing multiple ceremonial buildings and facilities, with multi-storeyed adobe dwellings with terraced tiers. It represents the culture of the present-day Pueblo Indian people. You can witness kivas, which are the underground ceremonial chambers.

Apart from that, it comprises the ruins of a previous pueblo, tracks for traditional foot races, remains of churches, etc.

• Location: 120 Veterans Highway, Taos, New Mexico
• Ideal Time to Explore: March to May will be an ideal period for visiting this place.
• Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• Entry Fee: Free for children under 10, $11 for students aged 11 or more (with college ID), $25 for adults, $22 for senior citizens, $22 per person for groups containing 8 or more adults

19. Carlsbad Caverns National Park (1995)

With over 80 recognised caves, this park stands out for its unique landscape and diversity of mineral formations. Here, you can witness more than 120 limestone caves with decorative rock formations called speleothems.

Carlsbad and Lechuguilla are the two primary caves, mainly known for the speleothems and the largest accumulation of gypsum “chandeliers”.

• Location: 4FP4+RF Carlsbad, New Mexico, USA
• Ideal Time to Explore: April to October is usually a popular time for visiting this place. 
• Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entry Fee: Free for children under 15, $6 per person for visitors aged 16 or more

20. Waterton Glacier International Peace Park (1995)

The favourable climate and physiographic setting of this park have made it one of the most well-known UNESCO World Heritage sites in US. The impeccable natural beauty and a diverse range of flora and fauna have also contributed to enhancing its popularity among tourists. The tri-ocean hydrographical divide further adds to the unique appeal of this park.

• Location: 333V+7F Waterton Park, Alberta, Canada
• Ideal Time to Explore: July and August are the most popular months for visiting this park.
• Hours of Operation: 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM
• Entry Fee: Free for young visitors under 18, $10.50 per person for adults, $9 for senior citizens, $21 for families or groups

21. Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument (2010)

It is a vast and isolated linear cluster comprising multiple small and low-lying islands. Here, you can experience the Native Hawaiian culture and learn about the kinship between people and the natural world.

The property includes a vast area of Hawai’i-Emperor hotspot trail, which represents an island hotspot progression. The pelagic and deepwater habitats of this area allow the tourists to witness coral reefs, lagoons, pinnacles and atoll islands.

• Location: Hawaiian archipelago
• Ideal Time to Explore: Throughout the year
• Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entry Fee: No entry fee required

22. Poverty Point (2014)

This location is popular for its unique Monumental Earthworks. It has five mounds and six semi-elliptical ridges, a central plaza separating them. It comprises of earthen monuments created about 3,700-3,100 years ago. You can witness history in this area, exploring the rich collection and archaeological excavations.

• Location: Louisiana 71266, USA 
• Ideal Time to Explore: Throughout the year 
• Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entry Fee: Free for children aged 3 or less and senior citizens aged 62 or more, $4 per person for adult visitors 

23. San Antonio Missions (2015)

Situated along the San Antonio River basin, this site comprises five frontier mission complexes. Franciscan missionaries built this site in the 18th century, illustrating Spanish and Coahuiltecan cultures.

The interesting archaeological and architectural structures along with the farmlands, churches and granaries have contributed to the popularity of this site.

• Location: 8GHW+PH San Antonio, Texas, USA
• Ideal Time to Explore: December is considered the most popular month for planning a trip to this location.
• Hours of Operation: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
• Entry Fee: Tickets range between $15 and $50 per person

24. The 20th Century Architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright (2019)

Constructed during the first half of the 20th century, this complex is another top UNESCO site in the United States. It comprises eight buildings. These buildings reflect 'organic architecture' by Wright.

The needs of housing, work and leisure are addressed with innovative solutions in these buildings, keeping geometric abstraction and spatial manipulation in mind.

• Location: V6V2+J4 Oak Park, Illinois, USA
• Ideal Time to Explore: December is the best month for exploring this area.
• Hours of Operation: Open all day
• Entry Fee: Guided tours starting from $20-$30

UNESCO considers certain factors when listing places on the list of world heritage sites. Some of these are listed below:

• The site should be a masterpiece of human creative genius.
• It should be able to exhibit an interchange of human values over some time. 
• An exceptional testimony to a cultural tradition is also necessary. 
• The site should act as an example of a type of building, ensemble or landscape.
• It should be a unique traditional human settlement on land or sea or a human interaction with the environment.
• A listed site should act as an example of major stages of the earth's history or ongoing geological processes.