In this dataset description paper we introduce GNIS-LD, an authoritative Linked Dataset derived from the Geographic Names Information System (GNIS) which was developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and the U.S. Board on Geographic Names. GNIS provides data about current, as well as historical, physical, and cultural geographic features in the United States. We describe the dataset, introduce an ontology for geographic feature types, and demonstrate the utility of recent Linked Geographic Data contributions made in conjunction with the development of this resource. Co-reference resolution links to GeoNames and DBpedia are provided as owl:SameAs relations. Finally, we point out how the adapted workflow will be used to publish complex Digital Line Graph (DLG) data from the USGS National Map in the future.