The Most Popular National Parks in the U.S.
Looking for an alternative to the beach for your next vacation? Try one of the nation’s national parks. They’ll add excitement and adventure to your life and might just convince your kids to put down the electronics.
According to the National Park Service, in 2025, overall visitation to National Parks across the country totaled 323 million recreation visits, a slight decrease from 2024. In addition, people spent nearly 1.4 billion hours exploring parks last year. Twenty parks set a record for annual visits, making them a popular destination for those looking to get away and connect with nature.
Based on the number of visitors that attended last year, here are the top 10 most popular national parks to visit:
In This Article
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee & North Carolina)
11,527,939 visits
Great Smoky Mountains National Park has held the title of the most visited national park since 2019. In 2025, more than 11.5 million visitors answered the mountain’s call. The park stretches on for more than 800 miles of hiking trails and scenic highways across North Carolina and Tennessee. When you go, spend the day admiring the rolling hills and crisp mountain air, then head to Gatlinburg, TN, a cozy town whose bright, flashing lights and mini-golf around every corner make you love being a tourist.
Zion National Park (Utah)
4,984,525 visits
Nestled in the southwest part of Utah, Zion National Park is home to a unique array of plants, animals and the Zion Human History Museum. It’s daunting to stand next to Zion’s massive sandstone cliffs. Part of it is their size. But it’s the rich red, pink and cream tones radiating from the cliffs that make them breathtaking. Utah’s beauty doesn’t end there – next to Zion is Springdale, UT, named by Forbes as one of the top 20 prettiest towns in the country. Last year, more than 4.9 million visitors visited the iconic park.
Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Montana, Idaho)
4,762,988 visits
Yellowstone National Park holds several titles, including the world’s most extensive collection of geysers and the very first national park. Covering more than 2 million acres across Wyoming, Idaho and Montana, Yellowstone welcomed 4.7 million people last year to take in one of the National Park Service’s most prized parks. During your trip, watch Old Faithful erupt 135 feet in the air. But a Yellowstone visit isn’t complete without a visit to Cody, WY, named after William Frederick Cody, otherwise known as Buffalo Bill.
Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona)
4,430,653 visits
The Grand Canyon is one of the U.S.’s most iconic national landmarks and features miles of deep ravines. In 2025, more than 4.4 million people visited one of the planet’s largest canyons. The Grand Canyon lives up to its name and is a mile deep and up to 18 miles wide at certain points. In fact, the Grand Canyon is SO grand that even from the best viewing points, only a small fraction of the nearly 300-mile canyon can be seen. Take a river trip or hike inside a ravine, then stop off at Flagstaff, AZ, where you can get your adrenaline pumping with whitewater rafting or guided horseback rides.
Yosemite National Park (California)
4,278,413 visits
At Yosemite National Park, you can hike through the Sierra Nevada Mountains and stumble upon some of the country’s most breathtaking waterfalls. The park, visited by nearly 4.2 million people last year, is made up of a mile-wide, 7-mile-long canyon cut by a river and then widened and deepened by glacial action over the years. Visitors can continue the outdoor adventure in Fresno, CA, roughly an hour from Yosemite. Fresno boasts a family-friendly zoo and the Forestiere Underground Gardens, which were dug out by hand over 40 years.
Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado)
4,171,431 visits
A lifestyle of leisure waits in Boulder, CO. Nestled at the base of the Rockies, you can see the legendary mountain range as you stroll around the city. Or, if you want a closer look, travel to the Rocky Mountain National Park to see peaks over 12,000 feet, making you feel like you are on top of the world. Plus, water lovers will love this park, which is home to 150 lakes and nearly 450 miles of streams. Last year, more than 4.1 million people visited the park. 2025 was the first time that Rocky Mountain had fallen out of the top 5 since 2013. This is largely due to the park’s timed-entry permit system, which has effectively managed crowds while also capping the total number of daily entries.
Acadia National Park (Maine)
4,079,318 visits
From its historic downtown to the peaceful waterfront, there’s a reason why the nation’s wealthiest families, like the Vanderbilts, Rockefellers and Carnegies, call Bar Harbor, ME, home. It’s also the perfect place to explore Acadia National Park, one of the state’s top tourist attractions. Considered to be the crown jewel of the North Atlantic Coast, Acadia is home to more than 150 miles of hiking trails, 45 miles of carriage roads, and 27 miles of historic motor roads for more than 4 million guests to visit each year. Be sure to set your alarm because the park boasts Cadillac Mountain, one of the first places in the U.S. to see the sunrise.
Grand Teton National Park (Wyoming)
3,800,648 visits
Take a trip back to the Wild West with a visit to Jackson Hole, WY, and Grand Teton National Park. With the beautiful mountains as a backdrop, Jackson Hole is energetic with lively bars, fine dining and good ole’ cowboy charm. Only 45 minutes away is Grand Teton National Park, where you’ll discover pristine lakes, exotic wildlife and mountains piercing the sky. The Teton Range peaks stand nearly 7,000 feet above the valley floor, and the park’s lakes, gorgeous glaciers and granite pinnacles welcome more than 3.8 million visitors annually – up nearly half a million from 2024.
Olympic National Park (Washington)
3,584,187 visits
Olympic National Park’s one million acres have it all – from the Pacific coastline, rivers cascading from glacier peaks, acres of sprawling forest and much more. Nestled in Washington’s Olympic Peninsula, the park’s most famous peak is Mt. Olympus, popular among more than 3.5 million climbers, hikers and outdoor enthusiasts. After the park, you’ll want to check out Port Angeles, WA, where you can expect to find a rich artistic scene, a marine life center and whale-watching tours.
Joshua Tree National Park (California)
2,991,874 visits
Joshua Tree National Park, which welcomed more than 2.9 million visitors in 2025, is unlike any other. Two distinct desert ecosystems, the Mojave and the Colorado, meet, and the park is known for its striking desert landscape dotted with indigenous Joshua trees. Strong winds sculpt the land, and the topography is entirely unique, making it an interesting place for a wide variety of plants, animals and other wildlife to call home.
Joshua Tree is a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and offers rock formations, stunning views and several opportunities for hiking, rock climbing and stargazing. The park’s location near Joshua Tree draws an artistic crowd and offers nearby accommodations.
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