The 10 Most Visited National Parks in 2027
Great Smoky Mountains is the most visited national park, with 11,527,939 recreation visitors in 2025. Zion is second with 4,984,525 and Yellowstone third with 4,762,988. The order follows official National Park Service visitor counts for 2025.
At a glance
| # | Pick | 2025 visitors | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Smoky Mountains National Park | 11,527,939 | Free entry and easy scenic drives |
| 2 | Zion National Park | 4,984,525 | Canyon hikes like Angels Landing and The Narrows |
| 3 | Yellowstone National Park | 4,762,988 | Geysers, hot springs and wildlife |
| 4 | Grand Canyon National Park | 4,430,653 | Sunrise and sunset over the canyon rim |
| 5 | Yosemite National Park | 4,278,413 | Granite cliffs, waterfalls and giant sequoias |
| 6 | Rocky Mountain National Park | 4,171,431 | High alpine drives and elk viewing |
| 7 | Acadia National Park | 4,079,318 | Rocky coastline and fall color |
| 8 | Grand Teton National Park | 3,800,648 | Mountain views and wildlife near Jackson |
| 9 | Olympic National Park | 3,584,187 | Rainforests, beaches and mountains in one trip |
| 10 | Glacier National Park | 3,136,557 | Going-to-the-Sun Road and alpine lakes |
Pick by what you want
The ranking
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
Great Smoky Mountains National Park on the North Carolina-Tennessee line had 11,527,939 recreation visitors in 2025, more than twice any other park. Entry is free, and it sits within a day's drive of much of the eastern US.
Zion National Park
Zion National Park in southern Utah had 4,984,525 recreation visitors in 2025. Its red-rock canyon is reached by a park shuttle for much of the year, and hikes like Angels Landing require a permit.
Yellowstone National Park
Yellowstone National Park had 4,762,988 recreation visitors in 2025. Established in 1872, it is the first national park and is famous for Old Faithful, the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone and its bison and wolves.
Grand Canyon National Park
Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona had 4,430,653 recreation visitors in 2025. Most visitors see it from the South Rim, while the North Rim is open only part of the year.
Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park had 4,278,413 recreation visitors in 2025. Half Dome, El Capitan and Yosemite Falls make the valley one of the most photographed places in the country.
Rocky Mountain National Park
Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado had 4,171,431 recreation visitors in 2025. Trail Ridge Road climbs high above the tree line, and the park is an easy day trip from Denver.
Acadia National Park
Acadia National Park on the Maine coast had 4,079,318 recreation visitors in 2025. Cadillac Mountain, the Park Loop Road and miles of carriage roads draw summer and fall crowds.
Grand Teton National Park
Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming had 3,800,648 recreation visitors in 2025. The Teton Range rises sharply above Jackson Hole, and many visitors pair it with Yellowstone just to the north.
Olympic National Park
Olympic National Park in Washington had 3,584,187 recreation visitors in 2025. It covers rugged Pacific beaches, temperate rainforests and glacier-capped mountains.
Glacier National Park
Glacier National Park in Montana had 3,136,557 recreation visitors in 2025. Its Going-to-the-Sun Road crosses the Continental Divide and is one of the most scenic drives in the country.
How we ranked these
Questions people ask
What is the most visited national park?
Great Smoky Mountains National Park, with 11,527,939 recreation visitors in 2025. That is more than twice as many as Zion, the No. 2 park.
Why is Great Smoky Mountains so busy?
Entry is free, it is open all year, and it is within a day's drive of a large part of the eastern United States.
What is the most visited national park in the West?
Zion National Park in Utah, with 4,984,525 recreation visitors in 2025.
Which of these parks need reservations?
Rules change by season. Several popular parks have used timed-entry or permit systems for busy months, so check the official NPS page before you go.
Where do the visitor numbers come from?
They are National Park Service recreation visit counts for 2025, published in the NPS visitor use statistics.
2025 visitors (millions) at a glance
Official sites
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park · nps.gov
- Zion National Park · nps.gov
- Yellowstone National Park · nps.gov
- Grand Canyon National Park · nps.gov
- Yosemite National Park · nps.gov
- Rocky Mountain National Park · nps.gov
- Acadia National Park · nps.gov
- Grand Teton National Park · nps.gov
- Olympic National Park · nps.gov
- Glacier National Park · nps.gov
Sources
Photos: commons.wikimedia.org (credits under each photo).
The NPS publishes new visitor counts every year.