Exploring America’s Most Popular National Parks
The United States boasts an impressive network of 63 national parks that draw millions of visitors each year. This article delves into the current peak visitation trends and highlights some of the most frequented parks across the nation.
Record-Setting Visitation in 2024
In 2024, U.S. national parks recorded a remarkable 331.9 million visits, marking an increase of 6.36 million visits from the previous year. This uptick includes a total of 28 parks that achieved new visitation records.
Despite this notable surge, an internal memo from the National Park Service (NPS) advised against publicizing these impressive figures unless prompted by inquiries, according to The New York Times.
National Park Service Communication Strategies
The internal memo suggested that the NPS would refrain from issuing press releases or engaging in proactive communication about the visitation numbers, opting instead to provide information only upon request. A representative from the NPS stated, “the National Park Service shares important information with the public through a variety of channels…to ensure accessibility and transparency.”
Recent Changes and Challenges in the NPS
The news regarding visitation trends came amid organizational turmoil within the NPS, exacerbated by mass layoffs and subsequent rehiring efforts under the Trump administration, which aimed to significantly reduce federal staffing levels. On February 19, approximately 1,000 newly hired park employees, responsible for maintenance and visitor education, were dismissed. Following public backlash, at least 50 of these roles were reinstated.
Furthermore, the NPS announced plans to hire up to 7,700 seasonal workers in 2025, a notable increase from previous years, which reflects the agency’s efforts to meet rising visitor demand while maintaining operational efficiency.
Highest Visitation National Parks of 2024
The following national parks received the highest visitor numbers in 2024:
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park (North Carolina and Tennessee): 12.2 million visits
- Zion National Park (Utah): 4.9 million visits
- Grand Canyon National Park (Arizona): 4.9 million visits
- Yellowstone National Park (Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana): 4.7 million visits
- Rocky Mountain National Park (Colorado): 4.1 million visits
These figures highlight the strong appeal these natural landscapes hold for visitors from around the globe.
