National Recreation Area

A National Recreation Area – or an NRA – is a protected area in the United States created to preserve enhanced recreational opportunities in places with significant natural and scenic resources. Most National Recreation Areas are along a body of water, be it a lake (e.g. Lake Mead), bay (e.g. Golden Gate) or ocean.

NRAs are either managed by the National Park Service or the National Forestry Service.

There are 40 NRAs located within 26 states, with California and Washington having the most, each with four.