Top 10 National Parks in the U.S. (2024)
Top 10 Frequently Visited National Parks
Some of America's most breathtaking landscapes entertained over 16.4 billion visitors since 1904, and here are the 10 most popular ones in 2024. From the tranquil shores of the wild Pacific to snow-capped mountains and vast wildernesses, these parks represent the best of the National Park Service's (NPS) expansive network of 429 units.
10. Glacier National Park
Boldly standing in northern Montana's majestic Rockies, Glacier National Park, named for the glaciers and rivers that have sculpted its rugged topography for over two million years, claimed more than 3.2 million visitors in 2024.
9. Grand Teton National Park
The monumental Teton Range, soaring almost 7,000 feet above the Wyoming valley floor, carved its imposing silhouette in the heart of the Rockies. Over 3.6 million travelers were dazzled by the jewel-like lakes, glaciers, and naked granite pinnacles in 2024, calling Grand Teton National Park home for a while.
8. Olympic National Park
Majestic Mount Olympus presided over 3.7 million visits to Olympic National Park in 2024. Wander through Washington State's grand Pacific coastline, explore the rugged glacier-capped mountains, and immerse yourself in the ancient temperate rainforest.
7. Acadia National Park
Sea and mountains come together in Acadia National Park in Maine, drawing a record-breaking 3.9 million visitors in 2024. The park, set on Mount Desert Island, offers hiking opportunities, scenic vistas, and cozy coastal towns.
6. Yosemite National Park
Referred to by John Muir as a "temple of granite cliffs and towering waterfalls," Yosemite National Park in California saw over 4.1 million visitors in 2024. Yosemite Valley, a mountain-carved and glacier-shaped canyon, offers hiking opportunities, stunning vistas, and a glimpse of iconic natural wonders.
5. Rocky Mountain National Park
The Rocky Mountain range dazzled over 4.2 million visitors in 2024 with its alpine landscapes, 450 miles of crystal-clear rivers and streams, and 150 rugged lakes. With over 220 hiking trails averaging 4.5 stars, Colorado's Rocky Mountain National Park offers countless adventure opportunities.
4. Yellowstone National Park
The first national park in the world, Yellowstone National Park logged just under 4.7 million visitors in 2024. Famed for its geothermal wonders, wildlife, and expansive landscapes, the park covers 2.2 million acres in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho. The park's growing popularity was evident as it broke records for the number of visitors in May 2025[1].
3. Grand Canyon National Park
Carved by the mighty Colorado River, Grand Canyon National Park dazzled 4.9 million visitors in 2024. Vast, deep, and awe-inspiring, the canyon offers hiking, mule riding, and white-water rafting adventures to both novice and seasoned explorers.
2. Zion National Park
Carving its way through Utah's scenic landscape, Zion National Park awed almost 5 million visitors in 2024. Towering stone peaks, striking vertical canyons, and sweeping sandstone cliffs make up this park's landscape, leaving travelers in awe of its beauty and rugged charm.
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
With more than 12 million visitors in 2024, Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the undisputed champion among national parks. The park, straddling the border between North Carolina and Tennessee, enchants travelers with its misty peaks, picturesque valleys, and a vast network of 800-plus hiking trails that stir the souls of any adventure-seeker.
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Notes:
[1] U.S. National Park Service. (n.d.). Visitor Stats. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.nps.gov/subjects/visitation/index.htm.
[2] National Geographic. (2022). The 20 Most Popular U.S. National Parks of 2022. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.natgeofoundation.org/news/the-20-most-popular-u-s-national-parks-of-2022/.
[3] Yellowstone National Park. (2022). Monthly Visitation Data. Retrieved March 8, 2023, from https://www.nps.gov/yell/learn/news/monthly-visitation-data.htm.
