The National Park Service just shared visitor data from last year.
If you ask the National Park Service ( NPS),parks across the UShad a really good year in 2023 . So much so that some of them even broke tribulation book .
But let ’s zoom out first . Considering the larger picture , the NPS allege in an official statement that “ 400national parksreported a total of 325.5 million recreation visits in 2023 , ” which is equal to a 4 % spike compared to 2022 visitation turn . If that does n’t seem like a lot , convert that percentage into numbers — in 2023 , national parks had13 million extra visitorsover 2022 .
Which parks were the most popular last year ? The US definitely hasplenty of optionswhen it fall to outside activity and exploration . Whether you want to immerse yourself in nature or attain some of the country ’s most iconic landmark , our home parkshave catch your back . These parks turn out on top in 2023 :
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This trial data point can avail us ( and you ) decide where to plan your next hike , whether you ’re looking for a communal vibe or a more secluded and isolated experience . With over 13 million visits last class , the Great Smoky Mountainsremain undefeated when it come to the most visitor of any national park . TheGrand Canyoncame in second thanks to its iconic red landscape painting , though it came quite a bit short of the Great Smoky Mountains ' popularity . Third on the leaning wasZion National Park . Located in Utah , it ’s a great park to visit both in thewinterand summer season , and it bid a variety show of trail to hike up with gorgeous views and great terrain .
Beyond the top three , Yellowstone jump four piazza from its 2022 ranking of 7th to fourth , and the Grand Teton and Olympic parks both conjoin the top 10 after miss the cut last year .
And which park were the least visited ? If you ’re see to be forth from everything and everyone for a spell , you might want to stay aside from the most frequented unity and hit up these parks or else . These 10 park were at the bottom of the leaning for 2023 :
While the success is shared in damage of visit number , some of theseparksdeserve an extra pat on the back this class . Of the 400 mentioned , 20 of them actually reveal tribulation records in 2023 .
“ From Kaloko Honokōhau National Historic Park in Hawai’i to Congaree National Park in South Carolina , parks are attract more visitors each year to pick up about our shared history , ” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said in an prescribed statement . “ Our national parks tell our apportion American story . I ’m happy visitors are finding hidden gem , exploring in the off - season and finding new ways to have a great time in our home parks . ”
The following national park web site ( admit monuments , recreation areas , historic common , and historic sites ) broke tribulation phonograph record in 2023 :
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