5 Most Visited US National Parks

In this article, we will take a look at the 5 most visited US national parks. If you would like to read our discussion on the economic impact of national parks, you can go to the 20 Most Visited US National Parks.

5. Rocky Mountain National Park

Number of Visitors: 4,115,837

Rocky Mountain National Park spans 265,807 acres and showcases a breathtaking range of mountains. It features meadows, alpine lakes, and towering peaks. Visitors can explore over 300 miles of hiking trails and witness incredible wildlife. The park is located in Colorado, just a two-hour drive from Denver and an hour’s drive from Boulder.

4. Yellowstone National Park

Number of Visitors: 4,501,382

Yellowstone National Park spreads across 2,221,766 acres and is situated near a volcanic hot spot. While the majority of the park is in Wyoming, some parts extend into Montana and Idaho. Yellowstone features deep canyons, rivers, forests, hot springs, and geysers. It is home to hundreds of animal species, including bears, wolves, bison, elk, and antelope. Yellowstone National Park is at the fourth position on our list of the most visited US national parks.

3. Zion National Park

Number of Visitors: 4,623,238

Zion National Park is located in southwest Utah and is known for its stunning red cliffs in Zion Canyon. The park spans 148,733 acres and features a landscape of cream, pink, and red sandstone cliffs, as well as deep, narrow canyons. Visitors can explore forest trails, discover waterfalls, and see a hanging garden within the park. One of the park’s popular attractions is the 2,000-foot-deep Zion Canyon, where visitors can hike The Narrows, a narrow section of the canyon that is 20 to 30 feet wide. Additionally, swimming in the scenic Virgin River is a memorable experience in Zion National Park.

2. Grand Canyon National Park

Number of Visitors: 4,733,705

Grand Canyon National Park covers over 1,218,375 acres around the Colorado River and its adjacent areas in northern Arizona. The park covers the homelands of eleven federally recognized tribes. The Grand Canyon is one of the best illustrations of a canyon sculpted by water. It is also a World Heritage Site. The park offers hiking trails from one rim to the other, mule rides, and whitewater rafting.

1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Number of Visitors: 13,297,647

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is also known as the Smokies due to its persistent morning fog. This mountain range is famous for its diversity of plant and animal life. The park is almost equally spread over North Carolina and Tennessee borders and covers 522,427 acres. The park also serves as an economic center, as it generated over $1.3 billion in revenue in 2021 and created 18,800 jobs in nearby communities. Visitors to the park can enjoy a variety of activities, including hiking, camping, horseback riding trails, wildlife viewing, and scenic waterfall tours.