Ever tried snapping a photo at Yellowstone’s Old Faithful only to find 50 strangers photobombing your shot? I’ve been there. As a full-time travel writer and former park ranger (10+ years exploring every crevice of the NPS system), I’ve learned that overcrowding can turn awe into ugh. But here’s the kicker: the most visited parks aren’t just tourist traps—they’re popular for a reason. This post cuts through the chaos. You’ll get the official 2023 visitation rankings, pro tips to dodge crowds, and underrated trails even locals don’t know. Let’s reclaim your nature fix.
| Rank | Park Name | Location | 2024 Visitors (Est.) | Why It’s Popular | Pro Tip |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Smoky Mountains | TN/NC | 14.3 million | Free entry, diverse wildlife, and proximity to major cities. | Visit Cades Cove at sunrise for elk sightings. |
| 2 | Grand Canyon | Arizona | 5.9 million | Iconic views, rafting, and South Rim accessibility. | Skip the South Rim; North Rim has 90% fewer crowds. |
| 3 | Zion | Utah | 5.1 million | Angels Landing, The Narrows, and stunning red rock formations. | Arrive before 6 AM to snag parking at the main canyon. |
| 4 | Rocky Mountain | Colorado | 4.8 million | Alpine trails, elk herds, and Trail Ridge Road. | Avoid July weekends; opt for September’s golden aspens. |
| 5 | Yosemite | California | 4.5 million | Half Dome, El Capitan, and giant sequoias. | Book permits 6 months early; Tuolumne Meadows is quieter than the Valley. |
| 6 | Yellowstone | WY/MT/ID | 4.3 million | Geysers, bison, and the Grand Prismatic Spring. | Lamar Valley > Old Faithful for wildlife. |
| 7 | Acadia | Maine | 4.1 million | Coastal hikes, Cadillac Mountain sunrise, and lobster rolls. | Bike the carriage roads to avoid parking chaos. |
| 8 | Grand Teton | Wyoming | 3.9 million | Dramatic peaks, Jenny Lake, and moose sightings. | Skip Jackson Hole crowds; hike Cascade Canyon instead. |
| 9 | Olympic | Washington | 3.6 million | Rainforests, beaches, and Hurricane Ridge. | Visit Hoh Rainforest in spring for fewer crowds. |
| 10 | Glacier | Montana | 3.4 million | Going-to-the-Sun Road, pristine lakes, and grizzly bears. | July is busy; September offers fall colors and fewer tourists. |
| 11 | Bryce Canyon | Utah | 2.9 million | Hoodoos, stargazing, and Fairyland Loop. | Sunset Point > Sunrise Point for fewer photographers. |
| 12 | Cuyahoga Valley | Ohio | 2.8 million | Waterfalls, biking trails, and proximity to Cleveland. | Visit Brandywine Falls midweek to avoid families. |
| 13 | Indiana Dunes | Indiana | 2.7 million | Lake Michigan beaches and dune hikes. | Skip summer weekends; spring offers wildflowers and solitude. |
| 14 | Haleakalā | Hawaii | 2.6 million | Volcanic craters, sunrise views, and rare silversword plants. | Book sunrise reservations 60 days in advance. |
| 15 | Joshua Tree | California | 2.5 million | Desert landscapes, rock climbing, and stargazing. | Visit Hidden Valley for fewer climbers. |
| 16 | Shenandoah | Virginia | 2.4 million | Skyline Drive, waterfalls, and pet-friendly trails. | Fall foliage is stunning, but weekdays are less crowded. |
| 17 | Arches | Utah | 2.3 million | Delicate Arch, Fiery Furnace, and red rock formations. | Arrive before 7 AM to beat the heat and crowds. |
| 18 | Sequoia & Kings Canyon | California | 2.2 million | Giant sequoias, deep canyons, and alpine meadows. | Visit Grant Grove for fewer tourists than General Sherman Tree. |
| 19 | Mount Rainier | Washington | 2.1 million | Wildflower meadows, glaciers, and the Skyline Trail. | July is peak bloom; August offers clearer skies. |
| 20 | Glacier Bay | Alaska | 728,000 | Glaciers, whale watching, and kayaking. | May is ideal for wildlife and fewer cruise ships. |
Top 20 Most Visited National Parks Rankings
20 Glacier Bay National Park, Alaska
- Visitors: 728,000
Glacier Bay is Alaska’s icy crown jewel, where kayakers paddle past towering glaciers and humpback whales breach like they’re putting on a show. Most visitors arrive via cruise ships, but May is your golden ticket—fewer crowds, more wildlife. Pro Tip: Book a guided kayak tour to explore hidden fjords even locals rarely see.
19 Mount Rainier National Park, Washington
- Visitors: 2.1 million
Mount Rainier’s wildflower meadows in July are straight out of a Bob Ross painting. But by August, the fog lifts, revealing glacier-capped views. Pro Tip: Skip the Paradise crowd and hike the quieter Sunrise Area trails.
18 Sequoia & Kings Canyon National Parks, California
- Visitors: 2.2 million
Home to trees so massive they’ll make you feel like an ant, this duo is a redwood lover’s dream. Pro Tip: Grant Grove’s sequoias rival General Sherman Tree but with 1/3rd the foot traffic.
17 Arches National Park, Utah
- Visitors: 2.3 million
Delicate Arch isn’t just on the Utah license plate—it’s a rite of passage for hikers. Pro Tip: Arrive before 7 AM to beat the desert heat and Instagrammers. Fiery Furnace hikes (permit required) are worth the hassle.
16 Shenandoah National Park, Virginia
- Visitors: 2.4 million
Skyline Drive’s fall foliage is legendary, but did you know Shenandoah has 500+ pet-friendly trails? Pro Tip: Weekday visits in October = leaf-peeping without the bumper-to-bumper traffic.
15 Joshua Tree National Park, California
- Visitors: 2.5 million
A desert wonderland where rock climbers and stargazers collide. Pro Tip: Hidden Valley’s boulders are quieter than Jumbo Rocks. And yes, the stars here do look like glitter spilled on black velvet.
14 Haleakalā National Park, Hawaii
- Visitors: 2.6 million
Haleakalā’s sunrise is so epic, you’ll need a reservation (book 60 days ahead!). Pro Tip: Skip the sunrise crowds and hike the Sliding Sands Trail at midday—it feels like walking on Mars.
13 Indiana Dunes National Park, Indiana
- Visitors: 2.7 million
Lake Michigan’s sandy shores and dune hikes are a Midwest escape. Pro Tip: Visit in spring for wildflower blooms and solitude—summer weekends are packed with Chicagoans.
12 Cuyahoga Valley National Park, Ohio
- Visitors: 2.8 million
Waterfalls, biking trails, and a scenic railroad—all 20 minutes from Cleveland. Pro Tip: Brandywine Falls is stunning, but midweek visits mean no toddler photo bombs.
11 Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah
- Visitors: 2.9 million
Bryce’s hoodoos (those spiky rock towers) glow like embers at sunset. Pro Tip: Sunset Point > Sunrise Point. Fight me.
MUST-READS:
10 Glacier National Park, Montana
- Visitors: 3.4 million
Going-to-the-Sun Road is a engineering marvel, but September swaps crowds for golden larch trees. Pro Tip: Many Glacier Hotel’s lakeside trails are grizzly hotspots—bring bear spray and common sense.
9 Olympic National Park, Washington
- Visitors: 3.6 million
Where else can you hike a rainforest, alpine peaks, and a beach in one day? Pro Tip: Hoh Rainforest’s moss-draped trails are quieter in spring.
8 Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming
- Visitors: 3.9 million
Grand Teton’s jagged peaks are Wyoming’s answer to the Alps. Pro Tip: Skip the Jenny Lake shuttle line—hike Cascade Canyon for moose sightings and solitude.
7 Acadia National Park, Maine
- Visitors: 4.1 million
Cadillac Mountain’s sunrise draws crowds, but the real magic? Tide-pooling at Wonderland Trail. Pro Tip: Rent bikes—parking fines cost more than lobster rolls.
6 Yellowstone National Park, WY/MT/ID
- Visitors: 4.3 million
Bison jams, geysers, and rainbow-hot springs. Pro Tip: Lamar Valley at dawn = wolf sightings. Old Faithful at noon = selfie chaos.
5 Yosemite National Park, California
- Visitors: 4.5 million
Half Dome’s cables and El Cap’s climbers are iconic, but Tuolumne Meadows is Yosemite’s quiet alter ego. Pro Tip: Permits for popular hikes sell out 6 months early—plan like your sanity depends on it.
4 Rocky Mountain National Park, Colorado
- Visitors: 4.8 million
Alpine lakes, elk herds, and Trail Ridge Road’s “top of the world” vibes. Pro Tip: September weekdays = golden aspens + 30% fewer visitors.
3 Zion National Park, Utah
- Visitors: 5.1 million
Angels Landing’s chain-assisted climb isn’t for the faint-hearted, but Kolob Canyons offers red rock drama without the crowds. Pro Tip: Shuttles start at 6 AM—be first in line.
2 Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona
- Visitors: 5.9 million
The South Rim’s viewpoints are packed, but the North Rim’s 90% quieter with the same jaw-dropping vistas. Pro Tip: Hike Bright Angel Trail at sunrise—the heat (and mule trains) won’t murder your vibe.
1 Great Smoky Mountains National Park, TN/NC
- Visitors: 14.3 million
Free entry, black bears, and misty trails make this the reigning champ. Pro Tip: 80% of visitors never hike beyond 2 miles—Cades Cove Loop at dawn is all yours.
What Makes a Park “Popular”?
Think of parks like hit songs. Some are timeless (Yellowstone = “Bohemian Rhapsody”), others trend suddenly (Acadia’s 2023 TikTok surge). Key factors:
- Accessibility: Great Smoky Mountains straddles 7 major cities.
- Viral Moments: Remember when that bison blocked traffic in Yellowstone? Visits spiked 18% that month.
- Infrastructure: Parks with shuttle systems (Zion, Grand Canyon) can handle more foot traffic.
FAQs
Q: How to avoid crowds at Yellowstone in 2024?
A: According to Head Ranger Todd, arrive before 6 AM or after 3 PM. Lamar Valley’s sunset wolf sightings > Old Faithful at noon.
Q: Is the Grand Canyon’s South Rim too touristy?
A: Yes, but the North Rim (5% of visitors) has the same views + elk herds.
Q: Best park for young kids?
A: Acadia’s tide pools and easy carriage roads. Avoid Grand Teton—bears love picnic areas.
Q: Can I bring my dog to these parks?
A: Mostly no (it’s a wildlife thing). But Shenandoah’s 500+ miles of pet-friendly trails say yes!
Hi, I’m Katie Johnson, an outdoor enthusiast, travel writer, and the creator of the Wander National Parks Blog. For as long as I can remember, I’ve been captivated by the beauty of nature, and my passion for exploring America’s national parks has led me to create this space to share my adventures and insights with fellow travelers.
