The 5 Best US National Parks Of 2025 That Had The Most Visitors

The U.S. is home to seriously stunning natural scenery. The best way to experience the expansive country's natural beauty is to visit one of its many national parks. There are 63 different National Parks to choose from, along with hundreds more sites managed by the National Park Service. In total, about 85 million acres is overseen by the NPS across the 50 states. In order to explore them all you would need to travel for many months. If you only have a limited amount of vacation time, it can be difficult to choose which national park to visit.

Some travelers abhor crowds and opt to visit the least popular national parks in order to find solitude in nature. There's nothing wrong with that, but it's important to remember that destinations become popular for a reason. America's national parks attract millions of travelers from around the world, and some of the busiest parks are also some of the most beautiful. Since many of them cover hundreds or thousands of acres, it's totally possible to find some space and solitude at the most-visited parks, as long as you're willing to hike a bit.

If you're looking to explore some of the best national parks that the U.S. has to offer, and you don't mind braving the crowds, you should consider visiting Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Zion National Park, Grand Canyon National Park, Yellowstone National Park, and Rocky Mountain National Park. Although they are among the most-visited destinations in the country, they're also some of the best.

Year after year, Great Smoky Mountains National Park is rated the busiest park in the U.S. Although final numbers haven't been released yet for 2025, the preliminary estimates indicate that last year may have been the first since 2018 that fewer than 12 million people visited.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park does get super crowded, especially during summer. There are some lively tourist towns located around the park that are full of amusement parks, resorts, restaurants, and other tourist attractions. Pigeon Forge and Gatlinburg are great budget-friendly destinations for city vacations, but can be overwhelming and overstimulating for some travelers who just want to experience natural beauty. Don't let the touristy vibe deter you completely. Great Smoky Mountains National Park is still very much worth visiting.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is located on the border of North Carolina and Tennessee. It's part of the larger Blue Ridge Mountain Range, which is part of the even larger Appalachian Mountain range. Having formed over a billion years ago, they're some of the most ancient mountains in the world.The national park covers around 522,427 acres. Visitors can hike through lush forests, enjoy breathtaking views, and enjoy a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. It's also one of the best parks for a scenic road trip. There are ten designated campgrounds within the park for those who hope to avoid the garish mega-hotels in Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge. There are also about a hundred backcountry camping sites. Over 100 historic structures can also be found within the park. There are 848 miles of hiking trails to explore, and over 20,000 different species of wildlife — including black bears and elk.

Zion National Park is located in the southwestern state of Utah, and the scenery is otherworldly. The park was established in 1919, but Indigenous people have been thriving in the ruggedly beautiful region for at least 7,000 years. Zion National Park's popularity skyrocketed in the 1940s, and in 2024 it was the second most visited national park in the U.S. with nearly five million visitors.

Travelers who visit Zion National Park can explore more than 148,000 aces of sandstone cliffs, breathtaking vistas, and wild rivers that twist through steep canyons. It's home to one of the most dangerous trails in the world — Angel's Landing. The Angel's Landing hike involves a heart-pumping climb up a series of switchbacks known as Walter's Wiggles, and the last stretch of the hike involves using a chain to climb up a steep incline and walk along a narrow ridgeline with a massive drop on either end. The views are worth it, but you need to apply for a permit ahead of time because the park and the hike are both very popular. Only a certain number of hikers are allowed to attempt the experience each day. The Narrows, a beautiful canyon hike which involves wading through a stream, is another popular option. Both are often crowded with other hikers, but are some of the best hikes in the U.S. and well worth it.

There isn't any large town near Zion, but there are some great places to stay around and within the national park. You can find bed and breakfasts, modern luxurious tiny homes, glamping, and more. There are also a few good restaurants and coffee shops.

The Grand Canyon is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the world, so it's no wonder that its national park is one of the best in the country. It's also one of the busiest. The Grand Canyon National Park is located in Arizona, and over 4,900,000 people visited in 2024. Although data from 2025 hasn't been released yet, it's expected that it will still rank among the national parks with the most visitors in the U.S.

The Grand Canyon was carved by the mighty Colorado River. The average depth of the canyon is about one mile. From rim to rim the distance ranges from about 600 feet to about 18 miles. The views are absolutely awe-inspiring, and visiting is an unforgettable experience. Most tourists who visit the Grand Canyon explore the popular trails along the rim, but if you're up for a challenge, you can hike down into the canyon where there are far fewer people. If you wanted to be a 'one percenter' on your trip to the Grand Canyon, you'd have to hike through the canyon from rim to rim. Although the Grand Canyon has been a popular tourist destination for decades, it's actually been inhabited by Indigenous people for thousands of years.

The park spans over a million acres, and backcountry camping permits are available for extra adventurous travelers. You can also opt to stay in beautiful lodging within and just outside the park. The Grand Canyon is within driving distance of Phoenix and Las Vegas, which both have major airports. It's also possible to visit without needing a car if you opt to take the train. Once you arrive at the park, there's a shuttle service that's free to all visitors.

Along with being one of the most visited and most beautiful national parks in America, Yellowstone holds the distinction of being the U.S.' oldest national park. It was originally established in 1872 by President Ulysses S. Grant. Yellowstone National Park is located in the western part of the U.S. Most of the park falls within the state of Wyoming, but there are also sections in Montana and Idaho. The park is massive, covering around 2.2 million acres of pristine wilderness.

In 2024, well over four million people visited Yellowstone National Park. Even though it's one of the most visited parks, it's totally possible to carve out a little slice of the natural beauty for yourself due to its massive size. Visitors love checking out the huge geysers and geothermal springs. Old Faithful is one of the most popular. The boiling hot water heated by the volcanically active earth is fascinating. Mineral deposits create cascading sculpture-like formations, and the thermal springs are rainbow-colored due to bacteria. You might feel as though you've stumbled onto a different planet.

There are large expanses of grasslands, meadows, and rocky tundra. Wildlife is abundant. Grizzly bears, wolves, bison, and a variety of impressive species can all be viewed within the park. As soon as you venture off the beaten path, you'll leave the crowds behind and find yourself immersed in one of America's last true wilderness landscapes.

Rocky Mountain National Park is located in the state of Colorado. It's less than a two-hour drive from the bustling city of Denver, one of America's fastest growing cities and a popular tourist destination for people who love live music and art. Rocky Mountain National Park is also close to some of the most popular ski resorts in America. In 2024, over four million people visited the park. Although you can visit year-round, some roads are closed during winter due to heavy snowfall occurring at extremely high altitudes.

One of the most popular times to visit Rocky Mountain National Park is during wildflower season, which occurs during the spring and summer. Different flowers grow at different elevations and are absolutely stunning. Rare high-altitude wildflowers grow on rocky peaks where almost nothing else can survive, and their existence is a reminder of nature's resilience.

Hikers love visiting Rocky Mountain National Park, and there are more than 350 miles of trails to explore. As one would expect, some of the most popular trails to the most beautiful views are very crowded during peak tourist season. You shouldn't skip them, but make sure to carve out time to visit less popular spots as well. Due to the crowds, Rocky Mountain National Park has a timed entry system, and you'll need to book an entry time on the National Park Service website before you visit. Scenic drives with beautiful views, and hikes where you can view the majestic Continental Divide are just a few reasons it's one of the most visited parks in the U.S. Watch out for altitude sickness and drink plenty of water.

In order to formulate our list of the best U.S. national parks that had the most visitors, we relied on visitor data from 2024. It's unclear which national park will hold the title of most visited in 2025, as data won't be available until later in 2026, but it's anticipated that Smoky Mountain National Park will claim the title again, as its visitor count has soared above all other parks for the past few years. The parks we included are all among the most visited year after year, but our list is in no particular order. If you're looking for fewer crowds, check out our list of five most underrated national parks out west.