America’s national parks attract hundreds of millions of visitors each year, but a handful of destinations consistently rise to the top as the most popular parks in the country.
According to newly released National Park Service visitation statistics, more than 323 million recreation visits were recorded across the National Park System in 2025. Millions of those visits were concentrated in some of the country’s most iconic landscapes.
From the misty ridges of the Great Smoky Mountains to the red cliffs of Zion and the geothermal wonders of Yellowstone, these parks continue to draw travelers from around the world.
Here are the 10 most visited national parks in the United States based on 2025 visitation data.
1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park
2025 Visitors: 11,527,939
Great Smoky Mountains National Park once again ranks as the most visited national park in the United States.
Straddling the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, the park is famous for its scenic mountain drives, historic homesteads, waterfalls, and more than 800 miles of hiking trails.
One reason for its popularity is accessibility. Unlike many national parks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park does not charge an entrance fee, making it one of the most visited outdoor destinations in the country. That said, the park does charge a parking fee, so keep that in mind if you plan to stop.
2. Zion National Park
2025 Visitors: 4,984,525
Utah’s Zion National Park remains one of the most sought-after destinations in the Southwest.
Visitors flock to Zion for its towering sandstone cliffs and bucket-list hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows. During busy seasons, shuttle systems help manage traffic in the main canyon.
3. Yellowstone National Park
2025 Visitors: 4,762,988
Yellowstone National Park is one of the most famous parks in the world.
Spanning Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, Yellowstone features geysers, hot springs, waterfalls, wildlife, and the legendary Old Faithful. Established in 1872, Yellowstone was the first national park in the world. There is plentiful camping around Yellowstone for RVs of all sizes. We’ve got 22 options covering all 4 entrances, and our podcast collection on our trips to Yellowstone covers the ones we have stayed at, including the popular Fishing Bridge.
4. Grand Canyon National Park
2025 Visitors: 4,430,653
Few places on Earth match the scale of the Grand Canyon, and millions of visitors arrive each year to see the mile-deep gorge carved by the Colorado River.
The South Rim receives the vast majority of visitors, while the North Rim offers a quieter and more remote experience.
5. Yosemite National Park
2025 Visitors: 4,278,413
Yosemite is famous for its massive granite cliffs, giant sequoias, waterfalls, and landmarks like Half Dome and El Capitan.
Even without timed-entry requirements in place this year, Yosemite remains one of the busiest parks in the system during peak travel months. There’s so much to do in Yosemite and plenty of places to stay. We’ve got a trip recap from a April, including a surprisingly affordable campground.
6. Rocky Mountain National Park
2025 Visitors: 4,171,431
Rocky Mountain National Park is known for alpine scenery, wildlife viewing, and the scenic Trail Ridge Road, one of the highest paved roads in North America.
Located just outside the Denver metro area, the park’s proximity to a major population center helps drive consistently high visitation. Rocky Mountain National Park is still a timed entry park, so you’ll want to make sure you check the park’s website and book before you arrive.
7. Acadia National Park
2025 Visitors: 4,079,318
Acadia National Park is the most visited national park in the northeastern United States.
Located along the rugged coast of Maine, the park features granite peaks, carriage roads, and dramatic Atlantic Ocean views.
Many visitors head to the summit of Cadillac Mountain, one of the first places in the United States to see the sunrise.
8. Grand Teton National Park
2025 Visitors: 3,800,648
Grand Teton National Park has grown increasingly popular, especially with travelers pairing it with nearby Yellowstone National Park.
The park’s jagged mountain skyline, pristine lakes, and abundant wildlife make it one of the most scenic destinations in the national park system.
9. Olympic National Park
2025 Visitors: 3,584,187
Olympic National Park protects one of the most diverse landscapes in the park system.
Visitors can explore temperate rainforests, alpine mountains, and rugged Pacific coastline all within the same park, making Olympic a favorite for longer road trips and multi-day adventures.
10. Glacier National Park
2025 Visitors: 3,136,557
Glacier National Park in Montana is famous for alpine lakes, mountain scenery, wildlife, and the spectacular Going-to-the-Sun Road.
Because the park’s high-elevation roads are only open during the warmer months, much of its visitation is concentrated into the short summer season.
Why These Parks See the Most Visitors
In total, the National Park Service recorded 323,014,305 recreation visits across 406 park sites in 2025, along with more than 13 million overnight stays.
The most visited national parks tend to share several traits:
- Iconic scenery
- Bucket-list reputation
- Road trip accessibility
- Proximity to major travel routes
- Inclusion in larger travel itineraries
For example, many travelers visit Yellowstone and Grand Teton on the same trip, while Zion and the Grand Canyon often anchor Southwest road trips.
Planning a Trip to Popular National Parks
First, you’ll want to have your America the Beautiful Pass. There are several to pick from, so make sure you know which one applies to you.
Heavy visitation continues to shape how travelers experience some of the country’s most popular parks.
While several parks have recently moved away from timed-entry systems, visitors should still expect crowds, limited parking, busy trailheads, and campground competition, especially during peak summer travel months but that doesn’t mean you can’t still have an enjoyable time.
It’s always a good idea to check park websites for the latest access information before your trip.
