The 10 Most Visited National Parks In The U.S. That Will Blow You Away
By Lea Monroe|Updated on April 11, 2024(Originally published February 16, 2022)
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Lea Monroe
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Writer for Only In Your State. Scribbling about all things New York and Buffalo related while also keeping you updated on the latest travel news! Inquiries: Lmonroe@onlyinyourstate.com
The National Park Service has certainly seen its fair share of visitors over the years in its 63 parks. In 2023 alone, America’s National Parks reported a total of 325.5 million recreation visits! This is an increase of 13 million recreation visits (or 4 percent) from 2022. Even more, the NPS reports visitor hours were 1.4 billion! With numbers as high as these, you’re probably feeling curious as to which national parks in the U.S. were among the most popular. Keep scrolling to put your curiosity to rest and find out the top 10 most visited national parks in America.
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, United States
Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most visited national park in the U.S. In 2023, this national park received 13,297,647 visits and after you've visited just once, you'll quickly understand why so many individuals come to explore it. Found along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, you'll find stunning scenery and plenty of hiking trails including a portion of the Appalachian Trail. This national park is comprised of half a million acres of wilderness and some of the most beautiful views in the country.
Approximately 5 million people visited Grand Canyon National Park in 2023, making it the second most popular national park in the country. Found entirely within the state of Arizona, this national park is home to one of the seven natural wonders of the world. While many people head to the South Rim to take in the views, we recommend heading to the lesser-known North Rim where you can escape the crowds and capture truly breathtaking landscapes. Or, if you are up for an adventure, consider tackling the multi-day Rim-to-Rim-to-Rim hike.
Zion National Park in southern Utah is known for its canyons, Emerald Pools, waterfalls, and the Zion Canyon Scenic Drive. Outdoor lovers visit from around the world, which is why this national park saw 4,623,238 visitors in 2023. Make sure to bring your hiking shoes as there are trails for all skill levels, including the famous Angels Landing hike.
It is not surprising that Yellowstone National Park is one of the top five busiest national parks in the U.S. In 2023, this park received 4,501,382 visits. While most of this 3,500-square-mile park is located in Wyoming, portions of it can also be found in Montana and Idaho. This park is known best for its geysers including Old Faithful which reaches heights to well over 100 feet. If you plan to visit Yellowstone National Park, stay for a few days. You may even consider this two-day road trip that takes you to some of the least visited areas of the park.
In 2023, Rocky Mountain National Park received 4,115,837 visits. This national park in Colorado spans across the Continental Divide and features lush forest and majestic mountains with plenty of beauty to be seen. It's considered one of the most stunning parks in the world. In fact, this park is home to countless gems that you don't want to miss such as the iconic Trail Ridge Road.
Located in Northern California's Sierra Nevada Mountains, Yosemite National Park is a destination that will inspire you around every turn. With over 1,200 square miles, there is plenty of scenery to explore here. It is a photographer's paradise with its breathtaking waterfalls and the iconic granite cliffs of Half Dome and El Capitan. The vast valley also has lakes, rivers, broad meadows, and an expansive wilderness area. This national park received 3,897,070 visits in 2023.
7. Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park Pond, Bar Harbor, ME 04609, USA
Acadia National Park is a 47,000-acre park located in Maine and is known as the “Crown Jewel of the Atlantic Coast." It received 3,879,890 visits in 2023, and it is easy to see why. Here, you'll find a variety of landscapes including mountains, beaches, and forests. Of course, many people plan to summit the peak of Cadillac Mountain at sunrise during their visit. It's truly a spectacular national park to explore.
Grand Teton National Park saw more than 3.4 million visitors in 2023. Known for the Teton Range as well as 200 miles of trails, a river, lakes, and wildlife, this national park is worthy of a spot on your bucket list. We recommend you spend plenty of time at Jenny Lake during your visit – it's absolutely stunning. We also recommend you visit Mormon Row and Schwabacher's Landing.
Joshua Tree National Park is a true Southern California gem and received 3.2 million visits in 2023. This incredible U.S. national park is approximately 800,000 acres that are ready to explore. You’ll want to spend multiple days at this park as it's home to incredible campgrounds and birdwatching opportunities. We recommend several hiking trails including the Barker Dam Trail or the challenging Panorama Loop. Although, if you do spend the night, make sure to look up. The night sky is breathtaking.
10. Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park, 3002 Mt Angeles Rd, Port Angeles, WA 98362, USA
Rounding out the top 10 most visited national parks in the U.S. is Olympic National Park. Found on Washington's Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park welcomed nearly 3 million visitors in 2023. Take in the sights of old-growth forests, the Olympic Mountains, and the coast at this incredible national park. Just make sure you don't skip the Hoh Rain Forest, which receives nearly 140-170 inches of precipitation every year!
How many of these national parks in the U.S. have you visited? Were you surprised any of the parks made the list? Let us know in the comments. And if you truly want to celebrate U.S. national parks and all of the gems found inside, consider celebrating National Parks Week in April.
If you plan to hike, camp, fish, and more at any of the busiest national parks in the U.S., make sure you have the proper gear. Check out REI or Backcountry for all of your needs. And if you need someplace to stay during an upcoming visit to a park, check out VRBO for available vacation rentals.
For even more national park fun, check out this Only In Your State video answering several national park questions.
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The best national parks are full of countless activities. From hiking to photography, there is plenty to do and see. However, one of our favorite activities is camping. The following are some of the best national parks for camping.
There are 63 national parks in the U.S. and California is home to the most national parks with nine destinations to visit, closely followed by Alaska with eight, and Utah with five. However, it isn't just national parks you can visit — there are also 429 national park sites around the country. National park sites include destinations such as historic sites and national monuments.
