National Wild and Scenic Rivers System
Find a River
View the system wide mapAbout the System
Rivers in the National Wild and Scenic Rivers System capture the essence of all waterways that surge, ramble, gush, wander and weave through our country. From the remote rivers of Alaska, Idaho, and Oregon to the rivers threading through the rural countryside of New Hampshire, Ohio, and Massachusetts, each preserves a part of American story and heritage.
Middle Fork Salmon River
Managing the System
The National Wild and Scenic Rivers System was created by Congress in 1968 to preserve certain rivers with outstanding natural, cultural, and recreational values in a free-flowing condition for the enjoyment of present and future generations. Rivers may be designated by Congress or, if certain requirements are met, the Secretary of the Interior. Each river is administered by either a federal or state agency.
Questions and Answers
From Access to Zoning, get answers to questions about wild and scenic rivers.
Management Plans
River management plans help communities work together to protect wild and scenic rivers.
Documents
Search for documents and other file resources.
News
December 17, 2024
In 2024, the National Park Service (NPS) completed a federal lands update of the Nationwide Rivers Inventory (NRI) using readily available planning information from regional NPS staff and the...
December 9, 2024
Congratulations to Jamie Fosburgh with the National Park Service on being the 2025 Jackie Diedrich Excellence in Leadership Award recipient.
On December 9th, Jamie Fosburgh,...
October 7, 2024
On October 2nd, the anniversary of the National Trails System Act and the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the National Park Foundation announced over $1 million in grants to national rivers and trails...