These Are the 10 Most Visited National Parks in the U.S., According to New Data

"Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most popular park in the country last year, drawing more than 11.5 million visitors, according to data from the National Park Service. In fact, the park, which straddles North Carolina and Tennessee, accounted for 12.3 percent of all national park visits."

"With more than 520,000 acres, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is home to a variety of waterfalls, lakes, and lookout points. There are more than 800 miles of trails on offer, including 74 miles of the Appalachian Trail, along with opportunities to spot plenty of wildlife from black bears to white-tailed deer, elk, and more."

"Beyond just parks, the honor of the most-visited NPS site belonged to the Blue Ridge Parkway. Adjacent to Great Smoky Mountains National Park and spanning 469 miles, the parkway saw a total of 16.5 million visitors in 2025."

Great Smoky Mountains National Park, straddling North Carolina and Tennessee, attracted over 11.5 million visitors last year, representing 12.3 percent of all national park visits. The park spans more than 520,000 acres and features 800 miles of trails, including 74 miles of the Appalachian Trail, along with waterfalls, lakes, and wildlife viewing opportunities. Gatlinburg, Tennessee serves as a popular gateway with attractions like Dollywood. Zion National Park in Utah ranked second with nearly 5 million visitors, followed by Yellowstone with 4.7 million. Grand Canyon and Yosemite completed the top five most-visited parks. Blue Ridge Parkway emerged as the most-visited NPS site overall with 16.5 million visitors, while Golden Gate National Recreation Area ranked second with 15.7 million visitors.

Read at Travel + Leisure