National parks drawing record visits in 2025

national parks – The National Park Service logged 323 million visits in 2025, down from 331.9 million in 2024, yet 26 parks still hit all-time visitation records. The list spotlights standout destinations—Yellowstone, Acadia, Yosemite, Zion and more—plus the practical ways tra

For many travelers, the U.S. national parks are supposed to feel like a clean break from the rush. In 2025, the numbers proved the break didn’t kill the crowds—it just changed where they gathered.

The National Park Service reported 323 million visits in 2025, compared with 331.9 million in 2024. Even with that overall dip, 26 national parks reached all-time visitation records. The mix ranged from famous heavyweights such as California’s Redwood National and State Parks and Redwood’s neighbor. Sequoia National Park. to less-watched gems like Dry Tortugas National Park in Florida and Gates of the Arctic National Park in Alaska.

If you’re trying to plan a trip that either matches the hype or smartly sidesteps it. the sheer size of the National Park System helps: beyond the 63 national parks. there are historic battlefields. monuments. rivers. and parkways. Below are 20 national parks highlighted as favorites—and what makes each one worth marking on your calendar at least once (or twice).

Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone is built for people who want variety in one place. It’s home to over half of the world’s hydrothermal features and diverse wildlife. Travelers are pointed toward Rainbow-hued Grand Prismatic Spring, described as the third-largest hot spring in the world.

Getting there can be straightforward: Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) and Montana’s Yellowstone Airport (WYS) and Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) are listed as three of the closest airports. Yellowstone’s largely Wyoming geography stretches into Montana and Idaho. and the park’s 2.2 million acres are home to bison. mountain goats. and elk. with active geysers. steaming hot springs. and mountains. Campsites are available for a truly outdoors-focused weekend.

Acadia National Park

Acadia reads like a postcard you can hike through: granite cliffs, cobalt waters, and mist-shrouded beaches in Maine. The can’t-miss moment is a sunrise hike to the top of Cadillac Mountain, listed as the highest point on the North Atlantic Seaboard.

The closest airport is Hancock County-Bar Harbor Airport (BHB). with the route typically going through Boston Logan International Airport (BOS) first. then connecting onward. Acadia’s landscape blends rocky coastlines and windswept beaches with rugged, trail-laced woodlands. Depending on the season, Cadillac Mountain is often among the first places in the country to see sunlight at daybreak.

Shenandoah National Park

Shenandoah has a seasonal edge: time your trip in October or early November for fall foliage. Don’t miss the 105-mile-long Skyline Drive, known for its 75 overlooks and for an abundance of recreational activities.

For flights. travelers can use major Washington. D.C.-area airports. including Virginia’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). The nearly 200. 000-acre park in Virginia is ideal for scenic drives. including the Blue Ridge Parkway. which connects Shenandoah with the Great Smoky Mountains. and Skyline Drive. which bisects the park. Hikes along the Appalachian Trail are also highlighted.

White Sands National Park

If you want to feel like you’ve stepped onto another planet, White Sands delivers. The park’s sculpted wavelike gypsum sand dunes are described as sparkling in the sun, and sand sledding down towering dunes is singled out as the signature experience.

The closest airport is El Paso International Airport (ELP), located about 85 miles south of the park. White Sands’ 275-square-mile desert stretches across New Mexico’s Tularosa Basin. and the glistening white dunes are said to be visible from space. Nearby El Paso is noted as worth adding before or after your trek for its art scene.

Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton is listed as a popular Wyoming destination for outdoor action across seasons. The range of activities spans mountaineering, hiking, and kayaking in warmer months, and cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in cooler months.

A standout recommendation is hiking the 7-mile-long Jenny Lake Trail. For access, Wyoming’s Jackson Hole Airport (JAC) is described as located inside Grand Teton National Park—positioned as the obvious gateway for travelers from out of state.

The Teton Range is framed as striking alpine scenery, with hiking singled out as exceptional. The Snake River is also emphasized for fishing. Travelers are also encouraged to base themselves in Jackson Hole. where The Cloudveil. Autograph Collection and the Four Seasons Resort and Residences Jackson Hole are presented as options—using Marriott Bonvoy points at the Cloudveil or splurging at the Four Seasons.

Everglades National Park

The Florida Everglades are the largest subtropical wetland in the U.S., and the park is presented as a place to see it up close. The Anhinga Trail is highlighted as home to alligators, turtles, otters, herons, and exotic birds.

Everglades National Park is described as an easy drive southwest of Miami. making it practical to fly into Miami International Airport (MIA) or Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL). The park’s rare ecosystem supports elusive and endangered species including Florida panthers. American crocodiles. West Indian manatees. and leatherback turtles. It covers a staggering 1.5 million acres and is described as a slow-moving river blanketed in sawgrass. Booking an airboat tour is recommended to get close to what the park holds.

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite is marketed to outdoors lovers for its landscapes and epic hiking. The don’t-miss moments include the granite monoliths of Half Dome and El Capitan, the 650-foot Bridalveil waterfall, and North America’s tallest waterfall, Yosemite Falls.

Getting there comes with a reality check: expect an hour or more in the car. The closest major airports are Fresno Yosemite International (FAT). Oakland San Francisco Bay Airport (OAK). and Sacramento International Airport (SMF). all in California. Yosemite is described as famous for granite monoliths, waterfalls, and glacier-carved valleys. To avoid crowds. the advice is to head into the high country or visit more popular recreation areas during the week. Organized backpacking trips through REI Adventures are also mentioned as a way to cover the permitting process.

Denali National Park & Preserve

For travelers chasing wilderness, Denali’s pitch is simple: best wilderness hikes, wildlife encounters, and dramatic landscapes. The don’t-miss item is an off-trail hike through the Toklat East Branch, with caribou and bears singled out as the wildlife to watch for.

The gateway listed is Fairbanks International Airport (FAI). Denali National Park & Preserve is described as untamed wilderness, home to the tallest peak in North America. It’s also framed as a place where travelers see moose, grizzly bears, caribou, Dall sheep, and wolves. The aurora borealis is mentioned as something to keep watch for.

Joshua Tree National Park

Joshua Tree’s appeal is tied to what you can’t miss visually. The park is known for sculpted rock formations and remnants of 5,000 years of human history. For visitors, incredible stargazing and, for climbers, colossal boulders to scale are highlighted.

Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) is listed as the closest airport. though many visitors come via Los Angeles or San Diego. The park sits at the intersection of the Mojave and Colorado deserts. Visitors are reminded that temperatures can soar during summer, so packing plenty of water is emphasized. Skull Rock and Arch Rock are named as two iconic geological formations.

Redwood National and State Parks

Redwoods are the point here: the park is presented as showing almost half of the world’s tallest trees along a 37-mile stretch of northernmost California coast. Tall Trees Grove is listed as the don’t-miss highlight.

The closest airport is California Redwood Coast-Humboldt County Airport (ACV). with direct flights from San Francisco International Airport (SFO). Los Angeles International Airport (LAX). and Denver International Airport (DEN). Even when arriving via larger airports, a drive is part of the experience.

The redwood forests are described as home to record-setting conifers including Hyperion, cited as 380 feet tall. Hiking trails are described as plentiful, and the piece urges readers that photos don’t truly capture the enormity.

Rocky Mountain National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park is framed as an easy choice for anyone chasing snowcapped peaks, glacier-carved meadows, and cascading waterfalls. The don’t-miss is Trail Ridge Road.

Denver International Airport (DEN) is listed as the closest major airport, with many flight options. The park is described as having jagged ridges and alpine terrain in Colorado, with more than 350 miles of hiking trails. Scenic roads make the area accessible. and the range of hikes is presented as something for every skill level and comfort.

Olympic National Park

Olympic National Park is described as rugged coasts, glaciated peaks, and emerald-green rainforests that are relatively untouched by humans. Hurricane Ridge is the don’t-miss viewpoint. along with the paved. 1.6-mile Hurricane Hill trail for 360-degree views of the Olympic Mountains and the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

For arrival, the guide points to Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) and a roughly 140-mile drive to the park. The park spans nearly 1 million acres and is described as encompassing old-growth rainforests. craggy windswept coastline with beaches. and scenic overlooks. Powerful rivers and rapids are noted as drawing confident paddlers, while the park’s cultural heritage is also highlighted.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Great Smoky Mountains is highlighted for old-growth forests and cascading waterfalls. The don’t-miss moment is the synchronous fireflies flashing across the park every summer—a surreal experience that requires a spot in the lottery.

On the Tennessee side. travelers can fly into Knoxville’s McGhee Tyson Airport (TYS). though Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT) is presented as offering the most connectivity. The park spans the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, and it’s described as among the most-visited national parks. Its fog-shrouded mountains are framed as a family favorite and among the oldest on Earth. with a recommendation to visit in fall for cozy fall foliage.

Zion National Park

Zion is described as a place that can make you feel like you’re on Mars, thanks to surreal red-rock landscapes and epic hiking and bike trails. Angels Landing is highlighted as one of the most scenic hiking trails in the country.

To get there. the guide suggests flying into Flagstaff Pulliam Airport (FLG) in Arizona or Las Vegas’ Harry Reid International Airport (LAS). then renting a car for the scenic drive to Zion. The description emphasizes slender slot canyons and sandstone cliffs as hallmarks. while also noting that accessible trails and footpaths make the park appropriate for the whole family.

Glacier National Park

Glacier is positioned for sculpted glaciers, crystalline alpine lakes, majestic forests, and abundant wildlife. The don’t-miss recommendation is the iconic 50-mile-long Going-to-the-Sun Road.

Glacier Park International Airport (FCA) in Kalispell, Montana, is listed as the main gateway. Travelers can also fly into Bozeman Yellowstone International Airport (BZN) or Missoula Montana Airport (MSO). The guide points to disappearing glaciers in Montana. noting that there are 26 named glaciers in the park. and it also mentions the world’s first Dark Sky Park that spans an international border. Wildlife is a major draw, and nearby Kalispell, Montana, is cited for quaint shops and restaurants in the downtown district.

Hawaii Volcanoes National Park

For a park centered on active geology, Hawaii Volcanoes National Park is highlighted for two of the Big Island’s active volcanoes, including the often snowcapped Mauna Loa. The don’t-miss experiences are the sulphuric pit of Halemaumau crater and the world’s longest lava tube, Kazumura.

Getting there is described as easy by car from Ellison Onizuka Kona International Airport at Keahole (KOA) and Hilo International Airport (ITO). The park is framed as shaped by Pele, the Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire. In 2018, it says Pele reshaped the park with Kilauea’s eruption. When it reopened after months of seismic activity. the molten cauldron of lava had disappeared—though the guide says the landscape remains stunning. including a new black sand beach and a crater that feels even more imposing.

Arches National Park

Arches is pitched as a feast for anyone drawn to delicate sandstone arches, deep gorges, rock catacombs, and open valleys. The don’t-miss is the 18-mile Scenic Drive and the park’s 2,000 fantastical formations.

For access. the guide says to fly into Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC) and drive about four hours. or fly into Colorado’s Grand Junction Regional Airport (GJT). which is approximately two hours away. The park is described as a Marslike red-rock dreamscape of arches, fins, and pinnacles. To avoid crowds, it suggests visiting neighboring Canyonlands National Park, which has many of the same features but fewer visitors.

Dry Tortugas National Park

Dry Tortugas is described as a snorkeling and diving destination in the Sunshine State, with clear waters, pristine beaches, and North America’s best snorkeling and diving. The don’t-miss is Fort Jefferson, a formidable 19th-century fort that looks like it’s adrift in the middle of the ocean.

Getting there is more complex: the guide says to fly into Key West International Airport (EYW) and take the high-speed Yankee Freedom III ferry. or fly to Miami International Airport (MIA) and drive to the ferry port. The park is composed of seven islands roughly 70 miles off the coast of Key West and is accessible only by seaplane or ferry. Despite its name, it says the park itself is more than 99% open water. Shipwrecks and reefs make it a dream for divers and snorkelers. while landlubbers can camp on the beach and explore Fort Jefferson. described as a massive. unfinished 19th-century fort guarding the harbor.

Big Bend National Park

Big Bend is pitched as a stargazing mecca with diverse ecosystems spanning desert, mountain, and river regions. The don’t-miss is a strenuous hike to the top of Emory Peak for 360-degree views of the Chisos Mountains.

The guide says Big Bend isn’t close to any major airport. so visitors should plan at least some road trip commitment—about a five-hour drive from El Paso and six hours from San Antonio. Signature features include dark. star-filled skies and sun-beaten desert. and it’s described as one of the best national parks in the Lower 48 for stargazing. The Rio Grande River is noted as a boon for adventurous kayakers and canoers. Another benefit highlighted is that it has the least light pollution of any national park in the contiguous U.S. The surrounding region was certified as the world’s largest International Dark Sky Reserve in 2022.

New River Gorge National Park & Preserve

Finally, New River Gorge is framed as adrenaline-first, with white water rafting, mountain biking, and the singular Bridge Walk. The don’t-miss is hiking the more than 2-mile Endless Wall Trail, ideally at sunset for the best views.

If you’re flying into West Virginia. the guide says most travelers come through West Virginia International Yeager Airport (CRW) near Charleston. then drive about two hours to the park. It’s commonly called “The New. ” and the park is described as known for exceptional white water rafting opportunities. advanced rock climbing routes along the sandstone cliffs. and the more than 3. 000-foot-long steel bridge that arches over the gorge. The Lower New is described as serving up big. warm-water Class 3. 4. and 5 rapids. while the Upper New offers gentler Class 1. 2. and 3 floats that work for families.

All of these parks sit inside the same national story: record highs for some places. steady demand for the rest. and a constant push for travelers to choose their timing wisely. With the National Park Service still logging hundreds of millions of visits even as totals shift. the question for your next trip isn’t whether the parks are popular—it’s how you want to meet that popularity.

US national parks 2025 National Park Service visits 2025 Yellowstone Acadia Shenandoah White Sands Grand Teton Everglades Yosemite Denali Joshua Tree Redwood Rocky Mountain Olympic Great Smoky Mountains Zion Glacier Hawaii Volcanoes Arches Dry Tortugas Big Bend New River Gorge