Celebrating 25 years of National Conservation Lands
Photo: Mojave Trails National Monument, California by Bob Wick, BLM
What Are National Conservation Lands?
They are among the most essential and spectacular natural, cultural, and archaeological places in the country.
Managed by the Bureau of Land Management, they include:
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National Monuments
31 NATIONAL MONUMENTS
National Monuments are areas designated to protect exceptional historic, scientific, cultural, or ecological values. They offer unique visitor and recreational experiences.
Examples include Bears Ears National Monument (Utah) and Steese National Conservation Area (Alaska).
Photo: Bears Ears National Monument, Utah -
National Conservation Areas & Similar Designations
25 NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREAS & SIMILAR DESIGNATIONS
Similar to National Monuments, these areas protect exceptional values and offer unique visitor experience. They are designated by Congress.
Examples include the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (Colorado) and the King Range National Conservation Area (California).
Photo: King Range National Conservation Area, California -
Wilderness & Wilderness Study Areas
21M ACRES OF WILDERNESS & WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS
Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas are designated to conserve natural areas and open spaces from development. Wilderness offers world-class opportunities to explore and experience the outdoors.
Example include the Bodie Mountain Wilderness Study Area (California) and the Handies Peak Wilderness Study Area (Colorado).
Photo: Handies Peak WSA, Colorado -
Wild & Scenic Rivers
2.7K MILES OF WILD & SCENIC RIVERS
Wild and Scenic Rivers are rivers designated to preserve their free-flowing condition and to protect and enhance their remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish, wildlife, historic, cultural, and similar values.
Examples include the Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River (New Mexico), the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River (California), the Snake Wild and Scenic River (Idaho), and the Owyhee Wild and Scenic River (Idaho).
Photo: Snake Wild and Scenic River, Idaho -
National Scenic & Historic Trails
6K MILES OF NATIONAL SCENIC & HISTORIC TRAILS
National Scenic and Historic Trails are trail systems that range from telling the often-difficult stories from our nation’s past, to wild and remote locations delivering life-changing experiences for the well-prepared visitor.
Examples include the Pony Express National Historic Trail, the Iditarod National Historic Trail, and the Oregon National Historic Trail.
Photo: Iditarod National Historic Trail, Alaska
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National Monuments
31 NATIONAL MONUMENTS
National Monuments are areas designated to protect exceptional historic, scientific, cultural, or ecological values. They offer unique visitor and recreational experiences.
Examples include Bears Ears National Monument (Utah) and Steese National Conservation Area (Alaska).
Photo: Bears Ears National Monument, Utah -
National Conservation Areas & Similar Designations
25 NATIONAL CONSERVATION AREAS & SIMILAR DESIGNATIONS
Similar to National Monuments, these areas protect exceptional values and offer unique visitor experience. They are designated by Congress.
Examples include the Gunnison Gorge National Conservation Area (Colorado) and the King Range National Conservation Area (California).
Photo: King Range National Conservation Area, California -
Wilderness & Wilderness Study Areas
21M ACRES OF WILDERNESS & WILDERNESS STUDY AREAS
Wilderness and Wilderness Study Areas are designated to conserve natural areas and open spaces from development. Wilderness offers world-class opportunities to explore and experience the outdoors.
Example include the Bodie Mountain Wilderness Study Area (California) and the Handies Peak Wilderness Study Area (Colorado).
Photo: Handies Peak WSA, Colorado -
Wild & Scenic Rivers
2.7K MILES OF WILD & SCENIC RIVERS
Wild and Scenic Rivers are rivers designated to preserve their free-flowing condition and to protect and enhance their remarkable scenic, recreational, geologic, fish, wildlife, historic, cultural, and similar values.
Examples include the Rio Chama Wild and Scenic River (New Mexico), the Amargosa Wild and Scenic River (California), the Snake Wild and Scenic River (Idaho), and the Owyhee Wild and Scenic River (Idaho).
Photo: Snake Wild and Scenic River, Idaho -
National Scenic & Historic Trails
6K MILES OF NATIONAL SCENIC & HISTORIC TRAILS
National Scenic and Historic Trails are trail systems that range from telling the often-difficult stories from our nation’s past, to wild and remote locations delivering life-changing experiences for the well-prepared visitor.
Examples include the Pony Express National Historic Trail, the Iditarod National Historic Trail, and the Oregon National Historic Trail.
Photo: Iditarod National Historic Trail, Alaska
The Bureau of Land Management is the largest manager of public lands in the country.
Of the 245 million acres of public lands the agency manages, only 15% are protected as National Conservation Lands.
This leaves 85% of these public lands unprotected and threatened by mining, development and other activities.
There are THREE WAYS to protect natural and cultural areas as National Conservation Lands:
Presidential use of the Antiquities Act
Congressional legislation
Regulatory action
Join us in protecting these lands you care about for generations to come.
Fact Sheets
Watch our video to find out how you can help protect National Conservation Lands:
In 2025, join us in celebrating 25 years of National Conservation Lands!
Photo: Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area, Nevada by BLM
