We Finally Know The Real Difference Between State And National Parks
By Amanda Finn
VACATIONS
What differentiates a state park from a national park can be confusing. In an exclusive interview, Islands asked National Park Service spokesperson Grace Hassler to explain it.
Hassler said that part of their difference is operational: The two systems have separate entry-pass programs. For instance, the majority of national parks have no free entry.
In addition, national parks are overseen by the National Park Service, an agency of the federal government, while state parks are looked after on a state level by a state agency.
"National parks are created by either Congress or the president, while each state has their own procedures for how to create a new state park," Hassler said.
Also, since they are encompassed by the federal government, national parks must follow a specific set of laws under the Organic Act, which created the NPS and its directives.