"National parks are the best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best rather than our worst." — Wallace Stegner
In the United States, we are blessed with an extensive system of protected parks, historical landmarks, and cultural areas. The diverse majesty of America is preserved by the National Park Service, which was established on Aug. 25, 1916. How many people visit national parks each year? According to the National Park Service, national parks received 297,115,406 recreational visits in 2021, adding up to an impressive 1,356,657,749 visitor hours! So what is the #1 national park in terms of most visitors? The team at AAA State of Play created this chart to celebrate the most visited national parks in the U.S.:
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The most visited National Park System location is the Blue Ridge Parkway, which received 15,948,148 visitors in 2021.
The Blue Ridge Parkway spans 469 miles through 29 North Carolina and Virginia counties, connecting Shenandoah National Park to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
The scenic, relaxing drive stretches from Rockfish Gap, Virginia, to Cherokee, North Carolina. With so many breathtaking mountain vistas, pastoral landscapes, and a rich diversity of flora and fauna, you may wonder where the best part of the Blue Ridge Parkway is. Of course, that’s subjective, but there are an abundance of official resources that can help you plan a gorgeous, fulfilling Blue Ridge Parkway visit. Per year, Great Smoky Mountains National Park receives around 14 million visitors, many seeking the magnificent panoramic views of Clingmans Dome, which can be accessed from the Blue Ridge Parkway.
Every season offers unique beauty and recreation to enjoy, but the changing leaves make Blue Ridge Parkway a dazzling delight to visit in the fall.
Here are the most visited national parks in order of annual visits in 2021:
Blue Ridge Parkway: 15,948,148
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 14,161,548
Golden Gate National Recreation Area: 13,712,614
Gateway National Recreation Area: 9,060,807
Lake Mead National Recreation Area: 7,603,474
George Washington Memorial Parkway: 6,821,179
Natchez Trace Parkway: 6,401,346
Lincoln Memorial: 5,792,331
Gulf Islands National Seashore: 5,458,816
Zion National Park: 5,039,835
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park: 5,005,217
Yellowstone National Park: 4,860,242
Grand Canyon National Park: 4,532,677
Rocky Mountain National Park: 4,434,848
Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area: 4,069,098
Acadia National Park: 4,069,098
Cape Cod National Seashore: 4,017,239
Grand Teton National Park: 3,885,230
World War II Memorial: 3,727,167
Vietnam Veterans Memorial: 3,636,033
Yosemite National Park: 3,287,595
Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area: 3,256,151
Cape Hatteras National Seashore: 3,206,056
Indiana Dunes National Park: 3,177,210
Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: 3,144,318
The number of Golden Gate Bridge visitors per year reached 13,712,614 in 2021. Located in San Francisco, the Golden Gate Bridge is acclaimed as one of the world’s most beautiful and iconic bridges.
In 2021, the number of annual Yellowstone visitors reached 4,860,242.
Yellowstone’s 2.2 million acres are mostly situated within Wyoming, but the park spreads into Montana and Idaho as well.
Yellowstone is legendary for its active geysers, world-renowned bison herds that have lived here continuously since prehistoric times, and magnificent canyons.
The number of Acadia National Park yearly visitors reached 4,069,098 in 2021. Located on the coast of Maine, Acadia National Park is known for its rugged beaches, granite peaks, thick woodlands, and abundant wildlife. It is home to Cadillac Mountain, the highest point on the North Atlantic seaboard and the first place to view the sunrise in America from Oct. 7 to March 6.
The number of Grand Canyon visitors reached 4,532,677 in 2021. Located in Arizona, the Grand Canyon is a mile-deep geological marvel that consists of layered bands of red rock that reveal millions of years of Earth’s history. The entire park is bigger than the state of Rhode Island!
While it requires some planning, there are countless benefits to visiting and exploring these places with children. We hope we have inspired you to experience the vast, dynamic outdoor splendor of America!
| Site and Number of Recreational Visits |
| 1. Blue Ridge Parkway 15,948,148 Virginia/North Carolina |
| 2. Great Smoky Mountains National Park 14,161,548 North Carolina/Tennessee |
| 3. Golden Gate National Recreation Area 13,712,614 San Francisco, California |
| 4. Gateway National Recreation Area 9,060,807 New York/New Jersey |
| 5. Lake Mead National Recreation Area 7,603,474 Arizona/Nevada |
| 6. George Washington Memorial Parkway 6,821,179 Washington, D.C. |
| 7. Natchez Trace Parkway 6,401,346 Tennessee/Mississippi |
| 8. Lincoln Memorial 5,792,331 Washington, D.C. |
| 9. Gulf Islands National Seashore 5,458,816 Mississippi/Florida |
| 10. Zion National Park 5,039,835 Utah |
| 11. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park 5,005,217 District of Columbia/Maryland |
| 12. Yellowstone National Park 4,860,242 Wyoming/Montana/Idaho |
| 13. Grand Canyon National Park 4,532,677 Arizona |
| 14. Rocky Mountain National Park 4,434,848 Colorado |
| 15. Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area 4,340,902 New Jersey/Pennsylvania |
| 16. Acadia National Park 4,069,098 Maine |
| 17. Cape Cod National Seashore 4,017,239 Massachusetts |
| 18. Grand Teton National Park 3,885,230 Wyoming |
| 19. World War II Memorial 3,727,167 Washington, D.C. |
| 20. Vietnam Veterans Memorial 3,636,033 Washington, D.C. |
| 21. Yosemite National Park 3,287,595 California |
| 22. Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area 3,256,151 Georgia |
| 23. Cape Hatteras National Seashore 3,206,056 North Carolina |
| 24. Indiana Dunes National Park 3,177,210 Indiana |
| 25. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area 3,144,318 Utah/Arizona |
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Find more about the author: Kim Hart
