The beautiful national parks in our country have always drawn people to enjoy stunning natural landscapes, hiking adventures, and other exciting outdoor activities! Nowadays, people are flocking to U.S. national parks more than ever to experience all of the natural and historic wonders that they offer! If you’ve always wondered which parks are the most popular in terms of visitation, the National Park Service has released an official list based on 2023 data! Here are the top 5 most visited national parks in the United States:
5. Rocky Mountain National Park
Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park ranked fifth with 4.1 million visitors coming to enjoy the splendors of the Rockies! As one of the most spectacular national parks in the nation, Rocky Mountain National Park features 415 square miles of dramatic beauty, high rugged mountains, sparkling lakes, 350 miles of hiking trails, and abundant wildlife! While exploring the park, you can enjoy horseback rides, scenic drives, rock climbing, photography, and much more! Some of the wildlife that live in the Rockies include elk, bighorn sheep, moose, marmots, and pika.
4. Yellowstone National Park
Another one of the top 5 most visited national parks in the United States is Yellowstone National Park, home to the famous Old Faithful geyser! Old Faithful is actually just one of nearly 500 geysers in Yellowstone and one of six in which park rangers can predict the time between eruptions. Yellowstone is also famous for becoming the first national park on March 1, 1872! Within the 2.2 million acres, visitors can observe wildlife in an intact ecosystem, explore geothermal areas that contain about half the world’s active geysers, and view geologic wonders like the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone River!
3. Zion National Park
Zion National Park ranked third in terms of visitation with 4.6 million visitors, which is no wonder considering it is one of the most exciting parks in America! The spectacular red rock formations are truly awe-inspiring, and you’ll also be amazed by the diversity of desert plants and animals that make up this fragile landscape. The Mormon pioneers who settled in the area named it Zion, meaning “promised land or a place of safety and refuge”, and it truly feels like a sanctuary in the desert!
2. Grand Canyon National Park
It is no surprise that Grand Canyon National Park comes in as one of the most visited national parks in the United States with 4.7 million visitors! This iconic park is located entirely within the state of Arizona and encompasses 278 miles of the Colorado River and adjacent uplands. Located on the ancestral homelands of 11 present-day Tribal Communities, the Grand Canyon is one of the most spectacular examples of erosion anywhere in the world—a mile-deep canyon unmatched in the incomparable vistas it offers visitors from both the north and south rims!
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park is easily the most visited national park, with 13.3 million visitors - that’s more than twice the number of visitors to the Grand Canyon! With the combination of gorgeous ancient mountains, a diversity of plant and animal life, and historical remnants of Southern Appalachian mountain culture, it is easy to see why it is so popular! The Smokies are home to the famous American black bear, as well as white-tailed deer, groundhogs, chipmunks, and more!
Now that you know the top most visited national parks, you can create a personal itinerary to come and experience them all! When you’re ready to visit the Smokies, be sure to check out our ultimate guide to the Great Smoky Mountains!
