America’s National Parks Ranked: From Crowd Magnets to Hidden Gems
National parks in America offer every kind of escape; some overflow with eager visitors, while others stay under the radar. We’ve ranked them all and shown where the crowds gather and where solitude reigns as of 2024.
Great Smoky Mountains National Park (12,191,834 visits)
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It’s no mystery why this place pulls in more people than any other park in America each year. Easy access, free admission, and photogenic views around every bend keep crowds pouring in. Think of misty mountains, waterfalls, and fireflies that glow on schedule.
Zion National Park (4,946,592 visits)
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Hiking skinny cliffs with sheer drops sounds like fun to nearly 5 million people a year. Zion is famous for The Narrows, Angel’s Landing, and red rock drama. Shuttle-only access helps, but summer crowds still pack the canyon wall-to-wall. If you hate lines, come in winter when things quiet down.
Grand Canyon National Park (4,919,163 visits)
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Everyone wants to see that giant hole in the ground, and no one can blame them. Sunrise and sunset bring traffic jams to the rims, while mule trains and rafting trips keep the adventure flowing below. Grand Canyon views deliver big drama, even if you’re sharing them with busloads of strangers.
Yellowstone National Park (4,744,353 visits)
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Between geysers, bison, and the occasional bear presence, there’s never a dull moment here. Yellowstone’s fame as the first national park on Earth keeps the visitor count sky-high. Summer’s a circus, but drop by in fall to catch elk bugling, fewer cars, and Old Faithful right on schedule.
Rocky Mountain National Park (4,154,349 visits)
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Many out here are chasing altitude, alpine lakes, and elk sightings, which explains the endless line at the Bear Lake trailhead. Easy drives from Denver make it popular with weekenders and Instagrammers alike. Timed-entry reservations now help limit the chaos, but expect crowds when the aspens turn gold.
Yosemite National Park (4,121,807 visits)
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Yosemite’s granite walls and waterfalls draw the masses like nowhere else in California. Half Dome and El Capitan stay busy with climbers while valley roads crawl with rental cars. Book campsites early—we’re talking months. Off-season magic happens when snow dusts the cliffs and crowds thin out.
Acadia National Park (3,961,661 visits)
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Leaf peepers, lobster rolls, and Cadillac Mountain sunrises keep people coming back to Maine’s busiest park. Acadia’s coastal hikes are short, sweet, and photogenic. Summer is packed, fall is slammed, and parking lots fill fast. Biking the Carriage Roads is a smarter, quieter way to explore without circling endlessly for a spot.
Olympic National Park (3,717,267 visits)
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Olympic National Park packs a rare mix: mossy rainforest, icy mountain trails, and beaches that feel miles away from the rest of Washington. Summer crowds fill the Hoh Rain Forest and Hurricane Ridge, but the further west you go, the quieter it gets. Out there, you’ll walk under dripping trees and hardly see anyone else.
Grand Teton National Park (3,628,222 visits)
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Those jagged peaks steal the show, and the throng follows. Grand Teton fills up fast thanks to its postcard-perfect views, easy wildlife sightings, and proximity to Yellowstone. The Snake River’s popular with floaters, and Jenny Lake stays swarmed.
Glacier National Park (3,208,755 visits)
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Glacier National Park fills fast each summer, especially near Going-to-the-Sun Road, where drivers and hikers line up for the views. The main spots get crowded early, parking is scarce, and the season is brief. To avoid the rush, visit the north end or quieter corners like Two Medicine and Many Glacier.
Indiana Dunes National Park (3,197,000 visits)
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Close to Chicago and packed with sandy beaches, this park’s recent “national” status boosted visits fast. Summer crowds love swimming, birding, and dune-hiking right on Lake Michigan. Despite urban neighbors and highways nearby, it’s peaceful if you wander the silent inland trails beyond the crowded waterfront.
Joshua Tree National Park (3,165,400 visits)
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Joshua Tree stands out for its odd, twisted trees and scattered boulders that seem made for climbing. When the weather cools, visitors pour in—everyone from seasoned climbers to folks chasing night skies. Springtime brings a rush for wildflowers.
Cuyahoga Valley National Park (2,942,100 visits)
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This park surprises many; it’s in Ohio, and yes, it’s that busy. Easy trails, waterfalls, and a scenic railroad bring big masses, especially locals. It’s more of a backyard escape than a wilderness adventure, but Brandywine Falls and the Towpath Trail keep people coming back. Ride the Towpath Trail for the historic Ohio & Erie Canal route.
Bryce Canyon National Park (2,621,000 visits)
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Visitors flock here to stare at thousands of orange rock spires called hoodoos, and sunrise is the busiest time. Bryce remains less hectic than Zion but still draws plenty of tour buses. The Rim Trail is crammed, but you’ll find peace and steeper paths once you drop below the edge.
Hot Springs National Park (2,229,000 visits)
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Hot Springs National Park sits right inside the city, where old bathhouses line Central Avenue and locals still come to fill jugs with mineral water. Step off the street, and you’re on wooded trails that climb into the hills. It’s a blend of small-town routine and quiet green space, with history tucked into every block.
Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve (11,907 visits)
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This is serious wilderness with no roads, no trails, and no visitor centers. Most people who make it here arrive by bush plane and bring survival skills. Gates of the Arctic offers true solitude, towering peaks, and endless tundra. You won’t find crowds, but you might find caribou or a grizzly.
North Cascades National Park (16,485 visits)
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Despite jaw-dropping peaks and over 300 glaciers, this park stays off most travelers’ radars. The few roads and even fewer services keep the North Cascades feeling rugged and remote. Backpackers love it, but casual visitors rarely bother. If you want empty trails with big views, this is your place.
Kobuk Valley National Park (17,233 visits)
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It has sand dunes, yet hardly anyone visits to see them. Kobuk Valley stays quiet thanks to zero roads and limited access. Visitors usually fly in to witness migrating caribou or the surreal Arctic sand. It’s remote, wild, and practically guarantees you won’t bump into another tourist.
Lake Clark National Park and Preserve (18,505 visits)
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Lake Clark feels like the edge of the map. There are no roads, just floatplanes landing on turquoise water. Salmon crowd the rivers, bears prowl the banks, and volcanoes shape the horizon. Visitors are rare, but those who arrive find miles of wild land and deep quiet that only Alaska can offer.
National Park of American Samoa (22,567 visits)
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This is the most far-flung U.S. national park owing to tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and Samoan culture. It’s 6,000 miles from California and barely sees tourists. Those who make it are rewarded with lush hikes, quiet beaches, and a park experience unlike anywhere on the mainland. Bring bug spray and snorkels.
Isle Royale National Park (28,806 visits)
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Accessible only by boat or seaplane, this remote island park in Lake Superior keeps the many away naturally. Most visitors come for days, not hours, to hike, paddle, or spot wolves and moose. No roads, no cars, no problem; Isle Royale is wilderness, the slow way.
Katmai National Park and Preserve (36,230 visits)
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Here’s where bears outnumber visitors. People fly in mainly to watch volcanoes and the giant brown bears fishing at Brooks Falls—a bucket-list moment for many. Beyond the animals, Katmai’s volcanic landscapes and empty backcountry remain practically untouched. Pack your camera and a solid pair of boots.
Wrangell-St. Elias National Park and Preserve (81,670 visits)
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Even after being the largest park in the U.S., it’s rarely visited. This Alaskan giant delivers on epic scenery and true isolation. Glaciers sprawl, mountains soar, and tiny planes bring people into the heart of it all. It’s a place for those who measure vacations in miles, not amenities.
Dry Tortugas National Park (84,873 visits)
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Seventy miles past Key West, boats and seaplanes land by a massive old fort ringed with clear water. On shore, the walls hold stories from another era. People snorkel over reefs, watch birds skim the waves, or just walk the sun-baked brick. Out here, the mainland feels far away, and time slows down.
Great Basin National Park (152,068 visits)
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Ancient pines stand watch over empty trails and wide Nevada skies. Here, caves cut through limestone, and dark nights are filled with stars. You won’t find crowds or noise—just silence, old trees, and the kind of wild you almost forget still exists.
Congaree National Park (215,181 visits)
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Congaree is thick with giant trees and slow-moving water, the air always heavy and green. Most people walk the raised path or slip a canoe into the flooded forest. Bugs thrive here, and so do old secrets. When fireflies fill the trees in late spring, a few lucky visitors stand still and watch the woods light up.
Guadalupe Mountains National Park (243,291 visits)
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Hikers willing to work for views head here for Texas’s highest peak and rugged desert beauty. The Guadalupe Mountains don’t hand out scenery easily—it demands effort and water bottles. Fall colors surprise people who expect only cactus. Skip summer’s heat, and you’ll likely have trails to yourself.
Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park (297,248 visits)
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Black Canyon doesn’t pull big crowds, but those who show up get a wild view: cliffs that drop fast and shadows that never leave the walls. The river at the bottom thunders day and night. Most folks drive the rim for the sights, but a few climbers take on those sheer, unforgiving faces.
Pinnacles National Park (348,857 visits)
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California’s newest national park stays relatively mellow thanks to its off-the-beaten-path vibe. Pinnacles lures hikers, climbers, and condor watchers with rocky spires and caves. Spring wildflowers brighten things up, while summer heat keeps crowds down. Split into east and west sides, there’s no road connecting them.
Voyageurs National Park (363,419 visits)
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If you don’t have a boat, you’re missing half the fun. Voyageurs spread across water and forest, drawing paddlers, anglers, and houseboaters. Its remote lakes shine brightest in summer under northern lights or glassy sunrises. Wildlife sightings include loons, moose, and the occasional black bear swimming between islands.