10 Most Popular US National Parks
Over the last few years, visits to U.S. National Parks have grown significantly. National Parks are wonderful options for travel in the U.S. for families, couples, and even solo travelers. Here are the 10 most popular U.S. National Parks ranked by recreation visits.
Note: official statistics for recreational visits for each calendar year are usually not finalized by the National Park Service until at least a few months into the next calendar year.
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Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Location: North Carolina & Tennessee
2024 recreation visits: 12,191,834
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina, and it’s home to some of the most beautiful scenery in the United States.
There are a ton of great things to do in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, including Cades Cove, Roaring Fork Motor Trail, amazing hikes, and more.
There are several campgrounds and one rustic lodge in the park, but there are also a lot of other great places to stay in the Smokies.
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Zion National Park
Location: Utah
2024 recreation visits: 4,946,592
If you’re yearning for a desert-filled adventure, Zion National Park has you covered. Located in southern Utah, Zion is one of the most beautiful national parks in the US.
One of Utah’s Mighty 5 National Parks, Zion is notable for its stunning landscape, and it’s also famous for its unique hikes: The Narrows and Angel’s Landing.
Grand Canyon National Park
Location: Arizona
2024 recreation visits: 4,919,163
In Arizona, the Colorado River carved a mile-deep canyon through ancient rock, creating one of the most incredible sights in the world. Explore the 1.2 million-acre park from either the North Rim or the South Rim.
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Yellowstone National Park
Location: Wyoming, Montana
2024 recreation visits: 4,744,353
Yellowstone is one of the most visited national parks in the United States. It’s also one of the largest, featuring many popular attractions, including the world’s largest concentration of geysers (home of Old Faithful).
Yellowstone is also known for its amazing wildlife, beautiful Yellowstone Lake, and its own Grand Canyon. You’ll also find some wonderful places to stay.
More posts to help you plan your trip to Yellowstone
Rocky Mountain National Park
Location: Colorado
2024 recreation visits: 4,154,349
Rock Mountain National Park protects more than 400 square miles of beautiful mountain environments, like meadow and alpine lakes. And don’t miss the 300+miles of hiking trails and wildlife viewing.
Yosemite National Park
Location: California
2024 recreation visits: 4,121,807
Yosemite is one of the oldest protected natural spaces in the United States. Covering nearly 1,200 square miles, this park is known for its beautiful scenery, waterfalls, and famous El Capitan and Half-Dome.
Acadia National Park
Location: Maine
2024 recreation visits: 3,961,661
Acadia National Park, located in Maine, is one of the most popular national parks on the East Coast. It’s also the only National Park in New England (not including other national park units). The boundaries of the park include Mount Desert Island, as well as several smaller islands.
Olympic National Park
Location: Washington
2024 recreation visits: 3,717,267
Located on Washington State’s Olympic Peninsula, Olympic National Park features some of the most unique natural features in the U.S., such as the temperate Hoh Rain Forest (one of the park’s most popular destinations). You might also enjoy the lovely Marymere Falls hike.
Discover some of the other amazing places to visit in Washington State.
Grand Teton National Park
Location: Wyoming
2024 recreation visits: 3,628,222
Noted for its stunning beauty, the Teton Range of the Rockies draws millions of visitors each year to gaze in wonder and explore the national park that takes its name from the range’s tallest peak: Grand Teton.
Grand Teton also features many popular hiking trails, stunningly beautiful lakes, interesting historical buildings, and more. Plus, it’s quite close to the fun town of Jackson, Wyoming.
Grand Teton National Park pairs beautifully with a visit to Yellowstone since they’re only a few miles apart. If you have the time, add on a trip to Glacier as well.
More posts about Grand Teton National Park
Glacier National Park
Location: Montana
2024 recreation visits: 3,208,755
Montana’s Glacier National Park protects 1,500 square miles of stunning mountains, glaciers, and lakes. And don’t miss driving the Going-to-the-Sun Road.
The bottom line
The most popular National Parks are popular for a reason. They are incredibly beautiful and provide a great variety of things to do on your trip. A word of caution, though: they will also be busy during their peak seasons. So, do your research about when is best to go for your family, and you’ll have a great time.
