These are the 10 most-visited national parks in the US
Editor’s note: This is a recurring post, regularly updated with new information.
In the last few years, while travel came to a standstill everywhere else in the wake of the pandemic, America’s national parks got an unexpected boost. Wary of crowded airports and other forms of transportation, families and individuals alike hopped in their cars and journeyed to these beautiful outdoor spaces for their annual vacations instead.
The fresh air, scenic views and wide-open spaces seemed just the place to de-stress and unplug from the world for a while. However, the increase in popularity has in many cases led to a need for more advance planning than in the past, with hotels and campsites filling up and advance reservations becoming a requirement, sometimes even for hikes.
Here are the 10 most-visited national parks last year according to the National Park Service, and why you too should explore the beauty that can be found in our own backyard.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Number of visitors: 14.1 million
Renowned for its staggering biodiversity, epic scale and unrivaled accessibility from major U.S. cities, year after year the Great Smoky Mountains reign as America’s most-visited national park. This gorgeous stretch of wilderness straddles the border between North Carolina and Tennessee and offers something for everyone. Hikers can traverse scenic trails abundant with plant and animal life, adventure seekers can tube down the Pigeon River, and those who like to combine outdoor pursuits with more touristy attractions can enjoy a day at Dollywood.
Zion National Park
Number of visitors: 5 million
Zion National Park is the poster park for increased demand. Over the last decade this majestic, red-rock park located in southwest Utah has seen around a 60% increase in visitors. It's no wonder. Home to steep sandstone cliffs, narrow canyons and forest trails along the Virgin River, it's one of the most compelling areas in the country. There are trails suited to both seasoned and novice hikers, and the park's signature rock formations can be easily accessed via the Canyon Scenic Drive shuttle.
Zion is also known for having some of the best rock climbing in the U.S., which is great news for all the adventure seekers and adrenaline junkies out there. The park's popularity means that you'll now need to enter a lottery for one of its most memorable hikes, Angels Landing.
Related: This hotel near Zion National Park may be the best SpringHill Suites on Earth
Yellowstone National Park
Number of visitors: 4.9 million
Established in 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant, Yellowstone is the world’s first national park, composed of more than 2 million acres of land. It draws travelers the world over to iconic sights like Old Faithful, Mammoth Hot Springs and Grand Prismatic Spring. Nature lovers converge on the extensive network of hiking trails that traverses the park's spectacular topography.
This cherished preserve is best known for its extraordinary geological features, such as geysers and hydrothermal features — at least 10,000 percolating geysers and steaming hot springs, as well as mud pots, fumaroles and travertine terraces. Dubbed the “Serengeti of North America,” the park is also home to the country's largest herd of wild buffalo, as well as grizzlies, bison, wolves and large flocks of migrating birds.
Related: TPG’s favorite national parks: A month-by-month guide
Grand Canyon National Park
Number of visitors: 4.5 million
Located in Arizona, the sheer size of Grand Canyon National Park is enough to gawk at but its high rims, deep ravines and the winding Colorado River below are bound to leave a lasting impression as well. It's no surprise that visitors from around the world have been coming to the park for more than a century. The Grand Canyon is larger than Rhode Island and the views from the North Rim and South Rim are simply stunning. Plan on at least a couple of days to explore.
Related: Tips for visiting the nation's busiest national parks
Rocky Mountain National Park
Number of visitors: 4.4 million
With more than 300 miles of hiking trails featuring stunning views of some of the country’s tallest peaks, 415-square-mile Rocky Mountain National Park is a great place to visit during any season. It's the highest park in the U.S. and a great place to spot majestic wild elk, especially in mating season. The elevation ranges from less than 8,000 feet to more than 14,000 feet above sea level, with diverse ecosystems to match. Within the park are breathtaking alpine lakes and there's prime wildlife viewing, especially of elk and bighorn sheep.
Acadia National Park
Number of visitors: 4 million
Acadia National Park, located right off the Atlantic on Maine’s Mount Desert Island, features secluded beaches, long shorelines, inlets, bays, forests, mountains, lakes and ponds. On top of the plethora of natural features and ecosystems you’ll find here, Acadia’s dark skies are perfect for viewing stunning starry nights.
Grand Teton National Park
Number of visitors: 3.9 million
This national park is located just outside Jackson Hole, Wyoming, an area especially popular during the winter when ski fever takes over the region. The Tetons are an outdoor lovers paradise, known for mountaineering, hiking and camping as well as kayaking and canoeing during the summer. Nothing beats escaping the madness of the ski resorts and snowshoeing or cross-country skiing your way through this beautiful national park when the snow has just fallen.
Related: 10 of the best national parks to visit in the winter
Yosemite National Park
Number of visitors: 3.3 million
Yosemite, located in California’s scenic Sierra Nevada Mountains, is known for its towering ancient sequoias, epic hiking, abundant wildlife and beautiful vistas. What makes Yosemite so appealing (and busy) is that its signature features are easily accessible and available pretty much year-round.
The park's legendary icons will be familiar, even to those who have never visited: Yosemite Falls (North America’s tallest waterfall), the granite monoliths of Half Dome and El Capitan, and the breathtaking 650-foot Bridalveil waterfall.
Indiana Dunes National Park
Number of visitors: 3.2 million
Located in Indiana on the south shore of Lake Michigan, Indiana Dunes became America's 61st national park in 2019. The calling card is the 15,000-acre park's diversity of landscapes – woods, dunes, prairies and wetlands. Shaped by glaciers, the dunes rise as high as 192 feet, and some are open for hiking. Indiana Dunes is a birdwatchers paradise with more than 350 confirmed species. There's also opportunity to swim in the lake and play on the beach.
Joshua Tree National Park
Number of visitors: 3 million
The paradigm for a North American desert landscape, the hauntingly beautiful Joshua Tree National Park preserves vast stands of spiny yucca trees, desert sands, fantastical rock formations and Native American artifacts that span 5,000 years of human history. Spring and fall see the most visitors, with daytime temperatures in the low 70s. The park has become especially popular with experienced and novice rock climbers who scale its boulders, as well as stargazers drawn to the brilliant clear skies of this designated Dark Sky Park.
Related: 8 national parks that are spectacular in spring
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There’s a lot to love about the Amex Gold. It’s a fan favorite thanks to its fantastic bonus-earning rates at restaurants worldwide and at U.S. supermarkets. If you’re hitting the skies soon, you’ll also earn bonus Membership Rewards points on travel. Paired with up to $120 in Uber Cash annually (for U.S. Uber rides or Uber Eats orders, card must be added to Uber app and you can redeem with any Amex card), up to $120 in annual dining statement credits to be used with eligible partners, an up to $84 Dunkin’ credit each year at U.S. Dunkin Donuts and an up to $100 Resy credit annually, there’s no reason that foodies shouldn’t add the Amex Gold to their wallet. These benefits alone are worth more than $400, which offsets the $325 annual fee on the Amex Gold card. Enrollment is required for select benefits. (Partner offer)Pros
- 4 points per dollar spent on dining at restaurants worldwide and U.S. supermarkets (on the first $50,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter and $25,000 in purchases per calendar year; then 1 point per dollar spent thereafter, respectively)
- 3 points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with the airline or with amextravel.com
- Packed with credits foodies will enjoy
- Solid welcome bonus
Cons
- Not as useful for those living outside the U.S.
- Some may have trouble using Uber and other dining credits
- You may be eligible for as high as 100,000 Membership Rewards® Points after you spend $6,000 in eligible purchases on your new Card in your first 6 months of Card Membership. Welcome offers vary and you may not be eligible for an offer. Apply to know if you’re approved and find out your exact welcome offer amount – all with no credit score impact. If you’re approved and choose to accept the Card, your score may be impacted.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on purchases at restaurants worldwide, on up to $50,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 4X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent at US supermarkets, on up to $25,000 in purchases per calendar year, then 1X points for the rest of the year.
- Earn 3X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on flights booked directly with airlines or on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 2X Membership Rewards® points per dollar spent on prepaid hotels and other eligible purchases booked on AmexTravel.com.
- Earn 1X Membership Rewards® point per dollar spent on all other eligible purchases.
- $120 Uber Cash on Gold: Add your Gold Card to your Uber account and get $10 in Uber Cash each month to use on orders and rides in the U.S. when you select an American Express Card for your transaction. That’s up to $120 Uber Cash annually. Plus, after using your Uber Cash, use your Card to earn 4X Membership Rewards® points for Uber Eats purchases made with restaurants or U.S. supermarkets. Point caps and terms apply.
- $84 Dunkin' Credit: With the $84 Dunkin' Credit, you can earn up to $7 in monthly statement credits after you enroll and pay with the American Express® Gold Card at U.S. Dunkin' locations. Enrollment is required to receive this benefit.
- $100 Resy Credit: Get up to $100 in statement credits each calendar year after you pay with the American Express® Gold Card to dine at U.S. Resy restaurants or make other eligible Resy purchases. That's up to $50 in statement credits semi-annually. Enrollment required.
- $120 Dining Credit: Satisfy your cravings, sweet or savory, with the $120 Dining Credit. Earn up to $10 in statement credits monthly when you pay with the American Express® Gold Card at Grubhub, The Cheesecake Factory, Goldbelly, Wine.com, and Five Guys. Enrollment required.
- Explore over 1,000 upscale hotels worldwide with The Hotel Collection and receive a $100 credit towards eligible charges* with every booking of two nights or more through AmexTravel.com. *Eligible charges vary by property.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- Annual Fee is $325.
- Terms Apply.