Let’s plan your adventure!
An overview of national parks
In 2023 alone, about 325.5 million recreation visits were made to national parks. This is just a small fraction of the more than 16 billion visits to national parks since the U.S. National Park Service (NPS) began collecting visitation data in 1904. So who are the superstars of the national park system? And what makes them so special?
There are a total of 63 national parks from 31 states and two U.S. territories. They are divided into the
The most visited national parks
The top 10 most popular national parks of 2023 cumulatively had around 92 million visitors. The Intermountain region is the most popular by far, also having the most amount of parks at 19.
following regions: Pacific West, Intermountain, Midwest, Southeast, and Northeast. For the purposes of this publication, parks located in Alaska, Hawaii, and U.S. territories will be categorized into the Non-contiguous U.S. region. National parks across the United States encompass a remarkable diversity of ecosystems, ranging from lush rainforests and alpine meadows to arid deserts and coastal wetlands, each with its unique set of plants, animals, and geological features.
However, the honor of most popular park comes from the Southeast region, which goes to Great Smoky Mountains national park.
Watching the seasons pass
National parks experience different levels of visitation throughout the year, categorized into peak season, shoulder season, and off-season. Peak season typically aligns with favorable weather and school vacations, resulting in higher crowds and busier trails. Shoulder season, found at the edges of peak periods, offers a balance between good weather and fewer visitors. Off-season, generally marked by cooler weather or less accessible conditions, sees the fewest visitors, providing a quieter experience at the cost of limited services.
Must visit parks from every region
Yosemite Grand Canyon
California
» Visitors: 3,897,070
» Trails: 800 miles
» Avg. stay: 13 hours
» Acreage: 747,956
» Entrance fee: $35
» Features: Waterfalls, granite cliffs, giant sequoia groves
Unsurpisingly,
»
»
Badlands Acadia Great Smoky Mts. Hawai’i Volcanoes
Hawai’i
» Visitors: 1,620,294
» Trails: 150 miles
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» Acreage: 335,229
» Entrance fee: $30
» Features: Two active
National parks by date established
1. Yellowstone, WY
2. Sequoia, CA
3. Yosemite, CA
4. Mount Rainier, WA
5. Crater Lake, OR
6. Wind Cave, SD
7. Mesa Verde, CO
8. Glacier, MT
9. Rocky Mountain, CO
10. Hawai’i Volcanoes, HI
11. Lassen Volcanic, CA
12. Denali, AK
13. Acadia, ME
14. Grand Canyon, AZ
15. Zion, UT
16. Hot Springs, AR
17. Bryce Canyon, UT
18. Grand Teton, WY
19. Carlsbad Caverns, NM
20. Everglades, FL
21. Great Smoky Mountains, TN/NC
22. Shenandoah, VA
23. Olympic, WA
24. Kings Canyon, CA
25. Isle Royale, MI
26. Mammoth Cave, KY
27. Big Bend, TX
28. Virgin Islands
29. Haleakalā, HI
30. Petri ed Forest, AZ
31. Canyonlands, UT
32. North Cascades, WA
33. Redwood, CA
34. Arches, UT
35. Capitol Reef, UT
36. Guadalupe Mountains, TX
37. Voyageurs, MN
38. Badlands, SD
39. Theodore Roosevelt, ND
40. Channel Islands, CA
41. Biscayne, FL
42. Gates of the Arctic, AK
43. Glacier Bay, AK
44. Katmai, AK
45. Kenai Fjords, AK
46. Kobuk Valley, AK
47. Lake Clark, AK
48. Wrangell-St. Elias, AK
49. Great Basin, NV
50. American Samoa
51. Dry Tortugas, FL
52. Saguaro, AZ
53. Death Valley, CA
54. Joshua Tree, CA
55. Black Canyon, CO
56. Cuyahoga Valley, OH
57. Congaree, SC
58. Great Sand Dunes, CO
59. Pinnacles, CA
60. Gateway Arch, MO
61. Indiana Dunes, IN
62. White Sands, NM
63. New River Gorge, WV
Not sure what to pack in your bag? Here are some essentials
Before heading out to a national park, it’s important to be prepared! Make sure to pack these essentials to keep yourself safe and comfortable during your park visit.
Emergency shelter or blanket to protect you from severe weather.
Durable bag with plenty of storage.
Hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen for sun protection.
First Aid Kit for medical emergencies.
Flashlight, lanterns, or headlamps for lighting—be sure to pack extra batteries.
Matches or lighters for creating a heat source—familiarize yourself with re use regulations at your park of choice.
Have a map, compass, and GPS system on hand and plan your route before your trip.
Make sure to stay hydrated! Outdoor activity can easily lead to dehydration, especially in hot weather.
Pack trail snacks that are easy to digest, like trail mix and granola bars, to keep yourself energized.
Get a park pass!
The majority of parks require passes for entry. Some highdemand locations may also need a timed entry or parking reservation during peak season to help control crowds. Additionally, some parks have special permits for activities such as backcountry camping, fishing, or climbing. It’s a
Standard/annual pass
If you’re only planning on visiting one park, a standard or annual pass for a specific park may be the best option. Prices vary by park.
Free park days
» January 15: Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr.
» April 20: First day of National Park Week
» June 19: Juneteenth
» August 4: Anniversary of the Great American Outdoors Act
» September 28: National Public Lands Day
» November 11: Veterans Day
good idea to research a park’s specific requirements before your trip to ensure you have the necessary passes and permits, helping make your visit smooth and hassle-free. Learn more at NPS.gov.
America the Beautiful
For $80, you get an entire year of access to all national parks, monuments, forests, and more. This is an excellent option if you’re looking to visit a handful of parks in a year.
Park Service
Free passes
There are also many free pass options. See if you qualify!
» NPS Access Pass: U.S. citizens or permanent residents with permanent disabilities
» Every Kid Outdoors Program: Fourth grade students
» Military Passes: Active duty military and veterans, as well as their dependants
» Volunteer Pass: Volunteers with 250 service hours
Senior discount
U.S. citizens or permanent residents over the age of 62 qualify for a discounted America the Beautiful pass at $20 annually. They also qualify for a lifetime pass for $80.
The National Park System has six days in the year where they offer free admission to everyone! Mark these entrance fee-free days in your calendar.