Updated 3 weeks ago

U.S. National Parks Statistics & Guide (2024)

Written by Catherine Lane , Edited by Deborah Foley , Fact-checked by Gianna Cappuccio

U.S. National Parks Statistics & Guide (2024)
Source: NPS photo by Alex Stillson

In this guide, you will find the latest statistics and data to help make planning your next national park trip a little easier. We outline:

  • A list of national parks (by state)

  • Best U.S. national parks according to social media

  • National park visitation statistics

  • Top considerations when visiting

  • Park preservation efforts (environmentally conscious programs)

  • Ways to help the parks


How many national parks are in the United States?

With 63 national parks and preserves spanning the U.S. and extended territories, there are plenty of places to explore. 

Thirty of the 50 states in the U.S. have a national park within its borders, including some with more than one. California ranks #1 for the most national parks, with nine, just ahead of Alaska, which has eight national parks.


List of national parks (by state)

State

Number of Parks

Parks

Alaska

8

Denali National Park and Preserve

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

Glacier Bay National Park and Preserve

Katmai National Park and Preserve

Kenai Fjords National Park

Kobuk Valley National Park

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Wrangell - St Elias National Park and Preserve

Arizona

3

Grand Canyon National Park

Petrified Forest National Park

Saguaro National Park

Arkansas

1

Hot Spring National Park

California

9

Channel Islands National Park

Death Valley National Park

Joshua Tree National Park

Lassen Volcanic National Park

Pinnacles National Park

Redwood National Park

Sequoia National Park

Kings Canyon National Park

Yosemite National Park

Colorado

4

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison National Park

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve

Mesa Verde National Park

Rocky Mountain National Park

Florida

3

Biscayne National Park

Dry Tortugas National Park

Everglades National Park

Hawaii

2

Haleakalā National Park,

Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

Idaho

1

Yellowstone National Park

Indiana

1

Indiana Dunes National Park

Kentucky

1

Mammoth Cave National Park

Maine

1

Acadia National Park

Michigan

1

Isle Royale National Park

Minnesota

1

Voyageurs National Park

Missouri

1

Gateway Arch National Park

Montana

2

Glacier National Park

Yellowstone National Park

Nevada

2

Death Valley National Park

Great Basin National Park

New Mexico

2

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

White Sands National Park

North Carolina

1

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

North Dakota

1

Theodore Roosevelt National Park

Ohio

1

Cuyahoga Valley National Park

Oregon

1

Crater Lake National Park

South Carolina

1

Congaree National Park

South Dakota

2

Badlands National Park

Wind Cave National Park

Tennessee

1

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Texas

2

Big Bend National Park,

Guadalupe Mountains National Park

Utah

5

Arches National Park

Bryce Canyon National Park

Canyonlands National Park

Capitol Reef National Park

Zion National Park

Virginia

1

Shenandoah National Park

Washington

3

Mount Rainier National Park

North Cascades National Park

Olympic National Park

West Virginia

1

New River Gorge National Park and Preserve

Wyoming

2

Grand Teton National Park

Yellowstone National Park

American Samoa

1

National Park of the American Samoa

Virgin Islands

1

Virgin Islands National Park

*Note: Some parks extend into multiple states


Best U.S. national parks according to social media

Social media is a great way to find inspiration for your next trip, especially if you’re looking for sweeping vistas. There are highly followed, photographed, and tagged natural wonders that can make excellent destinations. Here are the top 10 most followed national parks on Instagram.

1. Yosemite National Park

A view of the El Capitan vertical rock formation in Yosemite National Park

Source: NPS Photo / Don Wood

Instagram followers: 1.9 million

With some of the most iconic views in the country, like El Capitan and Yosemite Falls, it comes as no surprise that Yosemite is one of the most followed national parks. It’s known as one of the top climbing destinations in the country, and there is no shortage of natural beauty. Snag a picture under the towering sequoias or celebrate the accomplishment of completing the Half Dome hike. 

2. Yellowstone National Park

Aerial view of the Grand Prismatic hot spring in Yellowstone National Park.

Source: NPS / David Restivo

Instagram followers: 1.4 million

Known as the world’s first national park, visitors can experience some of the country’s most spectacular sites. With more geothermal activity than anywhere else in the U.S., you can take in the beauty of the Old Faithful geyser and the Grand Prismatic hot spring. Yellowstone is also a treasure trove of wildlife, like famous wolf packs and bison.

3. Zion National Park

A view of Zion National Park's mountains at sunset.

Source: NPS / Jesse Nelson

Instagram followers: 1.0 million

It’s not hard to guess why Zion National Park is one of the most followed parks on Instagram. The park’s biggest attraction is The Narrows, a remarkable area of Zion Canyon, where the red sandstone has been eroded and smoothed by the Virgin River. It’s unlike anything you’ll find in most of the country, and its sights have landed it on many bucket lists. 

4. Glacier National Park

A view of Glacier National Park's wildflower meadow with mountains in the background

Source: NPS / David Restivo

Instagram followers: 935,000

Glacier National Park is quickly becoming a must-see spot for park enthusiasts. Carved from glaciers past, the landscape here is breathtaking. From the top of Mount Cleveland's nearly 10,500-foot peak to the bright blue lakes settled in the valleys, there are picture-worthy sites around every corner. Even the smallest things, like the rainbow-colored rocks at the bottom of Lake McDonald or the gorgeous wildflowers throughout the park, are sure to impress.

5. Grand Canyon National Park

Aerial view of Grand Canyon National Park.

Source: NPS / Michael Quinn

Instagram followers: 866,000

The Grand Canyon is an iconic American landmark, making it a pit stop for people passing through Arizona and a full-blown destination for others. The name isn’t lying — the beauty of the park is nothing short of grand. You can explore the magnitude from the canyon's outer rim or hike your way to the bottom to fully grasp the power of The Colorado River.

6. Grand Teton National Park

View of the Teton Mountains in Grand Teton National Park

Source: NPS courtesy of Robert J. Lilly

Instagram followers: 762,000

Grand Teton is another top spot for tourists looking for otherworldly views. Snow-capped mountains, the stunning 13,775-foot Grand Teton peak, and grazing buffalo are among the park's most photographed features. Located just 50 miles from Yellowstone, you can experience similar impressive sites with smaller crowds.

7. Rocky Mountain National Park

The Rocky Mountains with snow on the peaks.

Source: Photo by Mackenzie Reed

Instagram followers: 693,000

Located 35 miles outside of Fort Collins, Colorado, Rocky Mountain National Park gives visitors a chance to see the Continental Divide, the alpine tundra, and a vast forest of aspen trees. The park has both hiking trails and scenic drives, so you can choose how you want to take in the Rockies. If you opt to drive through, keep an eye on the road for crossing bull moose and elk!

8. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

View of Great Smoky Mountains with fall foliage.

Source: NPS

Instagram followers: 620,000

As one of the few national parks in the eastern portion of the United States, the Great Smoky Mountains is a spectacular place for people on that side of the country to experience a national park. If you’re looking for something truly inspiring, plan your visit for the fall and see the foliage from the Chimney Tops trail.

9. Joshua Tree National Park

A Joshua Tree with a mountain in the background with a blue sky.

Source: NPS

Instagram followers: 532,000

Joshua Tree National Park is unlike any other park on this list. The desert landscape has an almost Martian feel, and the Joshua trees and teddy bear cholla cacti truly make you feel like the main character in a sci-fi film. There are a number of unique hikes, like the Desert Queen Mine Trail, which allows you to experience the Mojave’s mining history, and the Fortynine Palms Oasis trail, which spits you out in a literal oasis complete with palm trees and a spring. 

10. Mount Rainier National Park

Mount Rainier's peak with evergreen trees in the foreground.

Source: NPS Photo

Instagram followers: 431,000

Mount Rainier National Park is just about as beautiful as it gets. Visitors frequently capture photos of Mount Rainier itself, an active volcano that last erupted roughly 500 years ago. You can see how the volcanic activity shaped the surrounding landscape, enjoy subalpine wildflower meadows, and see animals like the rare American marten, mountain goats, and bobcats.


National park visitation statistics

According to data from the National Parks Service, around 90 million people visit the U.S. National Parks for recreation each year. Between 2019 and 2023, the number of annual visitors fluctuated largely due to COVID-19 and natural weather conditions. 

In 2023, the total number of recreational visitors to the national parks was 92,392,227, up 4% from the previous year. In fact, some national parks have become so popular that reservation systems are required for entry or for top attractions in peak seasons. 

A bar graph showing annual national parks visitors per year from 2019 to 2023

Most visited national parks

According to National Park Service records, these five parks were the most visited national parks in 2023, accounting for 33.85% of all national park recreational attendance.

Park

Location

Annual visitors

Past 5 years combined

Great Smoky Mountains National Park

Gatlinburg, TN

13,297,647

64,040,291

Grand Canyon National Park

Grand Canyon, AZ

4,733,705

22,869,992

Zion National Park

Springdale, UT

4,623,238

22,435,012

Yellowstone National Park

NW Wyoming, WY

4,501,382

20,478,460

Rocky Mountain National Park

Grand Lake, CO

4,115,837

20,826,361

Only about a dozen national parks are east of the Mississippi, making Great Smoky one of the easiest stops for East Coasters checking off their national parks bucket list.

Least visited national parks

Graphic showing that three of the five least visited national parks are in Alaska, with a map pointing to the approximate location of each.

The five least visited national parks accumulated 86,489 recreational visitors in 2023. These five parks were also the least visited in 2022. However, attendance increased by 16.86% from 2022 to 2023.

With parks spanning 32 states and territories, it may come as a surprise that three of the top five least visited parks are in Alaska. But Alaska’s a tricky place to get to, so it’s no wonder its parks don’t have as many visitors.

Park

Location

Annual visitors

Past 5 years combined

Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve

Bettles, AK

11,045

41,254

National Park of the American Samoa

Pago Pago, AS

12,135

87,342

Lake Clark National Park and Preserve

Port Alsworth, AK

16,728

75,298

Kobuk Valley National Park

Kotzebue, AK

17, 616

73,032

Isle Royale National Park

Houghton, MI

28,135

113,166

National Park of the American Samoa has seen a sharp decline in visitors in recent years. The number of visitors is down 395% from 2019, when it saw 60,000 visitors. Visitation numbers likely fell during the COVID-19 pandemic and haven’t fully recovered.

Best time to visit the national parks

A majority of the national parks have busy seasons, with only a few being crowded all year round. Many factors affect these trends, including:

  • Geographical location

  • Weather

  • Seasonal closures

  • Sightseeing opportunities

Graph showing the percentage of national parks that are busy during each season of the year.

You may want to consider visiting the parks at the beginning or end of the busy seasons to make the most of your trip. This allows you the best opportunity to experience the natural wonders while minimizing the crowds.

This table shows the seasons in which each national park sees the most visitors. 

Graphic showing the most crowded seasons for each national park. The majority of parks are busiest in the summer months, while just a few are crowded in winter

Top considerations for planning your trip

There are many things to consider when planning any trip, but there are even more when it comes to the great outdoors. 

Weather

A majority of the parks are open all year round, with just six having limitations or seasonal closings. The weather can be extremely unpredictable from day to day and sometimes even hour to hour. Hurricanes, wildfires, flash floods, and earthquakes are just some examples of natural disasters that can affect closures. In order to prepare ahead of time, these are our recommendations:

  • Check the forecast: Check the weather and park information before your travel.

  • Look at historical weather information: Is it the rainy season? Are they prone to drought when you’re visiting? 

  • Be ready for anything: Have backup plans in case the weather doesn’t cooperate or an emergency closure throws a wrench in your plans.

Safety

National parks are meant to preserve nature’s beauty and ecosystem. While this makes for excellent views and fun hikes, it’s not all fun and games. Parks can be dangerous, especially if you’re not an experienced outdoorsperson. Safety should be your top priority in the parks — here are some tips to make your trip go as smoothly as possible. 

  • Alerts: The National Parks Service website provides current alerts and daily updates for each park.

  • Regulations: Some hikes, attractions, and sites require a permit. Make sure you have all the necessary documentation before you arrive at your destination.

  • Where to find help: Park rangers are your first source of help while in the parks. Take note of the locations of ranger stations before you embark on a hike. 

  • Understand your limits: Listen, we all know the views at the top of the tallest mountains are the best. But that doesn’t mean you should enter your “Free Solo” era. Don’t attempt hikes or attractions that are beyond your physical limits, and be prepared with walking sticks, water, and anything else that might make your time in the parks more comfortable. 

Communication and availability

Nature is the perfect place to “get away from it all.” While this is often the goal when going to a national park, it’s important to realize that there may be times when you won’t have cell service. Most parks emphasize that cell service is limited, and some have no cell service at all. 

Public Wi-Fi is available at just over half the parks, mostly limited to areas such as Guest Services. That’s why it’s important to check in with family or friends at the start and end of your day to ensure your safety. If you won’t have the cell service to do so, make sure that you have a designated “safety person” who knows your plans, including things like what trails you’ll be on, where you’re camping, and when you expect to be back in service range.

You should also consider having a paper map of the park in case you don’t have service or if your cell phone dies. You can always bring a portable solar phone charger to easily charge your phone with sunlight no matter where you are, but a physical map is handy and easy to bring along as well. 

Transportation accommodations

Many visitors travel by vehicle and opt for overnight access to experience the parks after dark.

Vehicle access

There may be some restrictions on the vehicles you can use at the parks. Believe it or not, not all parks have RV access. Many do, but there may be restrictions or requirements. 

Other parks have shuttles to help reduce traffic within the parks. Zion even uses zero-emission buses for its shuttle services!

Most of the parks have drive-through access for personal vehicles, but you won’t truly experience the park through your car windows. You’ll want to get outside to make the most of your trip.

Designated camping access

Some national parks have in-park accommodations, like the stunning Old Faithful Lodge in Yellowstone. Often, though, if you want to sleep in the national parks, that means camping. 

Aside from all the standard camping gear, like a sleeping bag, tents, and somewhere to lock up and keep food away from wildlife, you may be considering how to power your devices or your RV when you’re in the park. 

Many like the convenience of a generator when camping and many national parks allow them. However, some require a permit before you can use one. You can also choose a solar generator, which can be charged before you get to the park, and continue to charge it with portable solar panels. No noise, no fuel, no problem! 

Here are some of our top picks for the best solar generators

Fuel and EV charging at national parks

It is extremely important to make sure your vehicle has enough fuel to travel to and from the park, especially if you just want to drive by some of the scenic views. 

While most parks provide information about gas stations nearby, it’s a little harder to find out how many electric vehicle charging stations there are near national parks. As EV popularity continues to grow in the U.S., it is becoming increasingly important to understand what charging options are available for your park vacation. 

The table below shows the number of registered charging stations within a 5-mile radius and a 25-mile radius of each park.

Park

5 Mile Radius

25 Mile Radius

Acadia

10

40+

Arches

5+

5+

Badlands

0

2

Big Bend

0

0

Biscayne

1

420+

Black Canyon Of The Gunnison

0

20+

Bryce Canyon

1

1

Canyonlands

0

0

Capitol Reef

0

2

Carlsbad Caverns

0

2

Channel Islands

50

190+

Congaree

0

65+

Crater Lake

1

3

Cuyahoga Valley

5+

250+

Death Valley

3

3

Denali

1

5

Dry Tortugas

20+

20+

Everglades

2

55+

Gates Of The Arctic

0

0

Gateway Arch

55+

245+

Glacier

1

15+

Glacier Bay

0

0

Grand Canyon

5+

10+

Grand Teton

1

25+

Great Basin

2

3

Great Sand Dunes

0

3

Great Smoky Mountains

5

60+

Guadalupe Mountains

0

0

Haleakalā

0

50+

Hawai'i Volcanoes

0

25

Hot Springs

10+

25+

Indiana Dunes

5+

45+

Isle Royale

3

4

Joshua Tree

0

20+

Katmai

0

0

Kenai Fjords

2

2

Kings Canyon

1

10+

Kobuk Valley

0

0

Lake Clark

0

0

Lassen Volcanic

1

2

Mammoth Cave

0

15+

Mesa Verde

0

5

Mount Rainier

2

15+

National Park of the American Samoa

0

0

New River Gorge

0

5+

North Cascades

3

4

Olympic

15

25+

Petrified Forest

0

5+

Pinnacles

1

20+

Redwood

1

5

Rocky Mountain

15+

35+

Saguaro

1

100+

Sequoia

1

10+

Shenandoah

5+

55+

Theodore Roosevelt

0

0

Virgin Islands

0

0

Voyageurs

0

0

White Sands

0

4

Wind Cave

0

10+

Wrangell - St Elias

1

1

Yellowstone

0

2

Yosemite

50+

50+

Zion

10+

20+

What's the most EV-friendly national park? Gateway Arch National Park in St. Louis has the most EV charging stations in a 5-mile radius of any national park. This isn't surprising, as it's right in the middle of a city! Yosemite is a close second, with at least 50 charging stations within 5 miles.


National park sustainability efforts and programs

National parks were created to protect America’s greatest ecological wonders and allow people to enjoy them. While land preservation is a key effort in keeping our planet healthy, even national parks have an environmental impact.

According to data from the National Park Service, 183 million kilowatt-hours of electricity are consumed by park service buildings annually. To put that in perspective, the average American home uses about 11,000 kilowatt-hours per year. About 80 million pounds of solid waste are generated in the parks, and close to 4 million gallons of fuel are used by NPS vehicles. 

These are significant numbers and are a main driver for the development of the Green Parks Plan, which establishes programs to make the National Parks Service more sustainable. A number of other initiatives are in place to help reduce park waste and greenhouse gas emissions and work toward a cleaner future.

Climate Friendly Parks Program

The Climate Friendly Parks Program provides resources and support to help parks address the environmental impacts of climate change. Participating parks measure their emissions, educate employees and visitors about climate change, and develop strategies to make operations and facilities more sustainable.  

To join the program, parks must meet four milestones: an application, a GreenHouse Gas inventory, a workshop, and an action plan. Currently, there are over 140 member parks, from popular parks like Zion to smaller ones like the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area. 

Reducing Energy program

The National Parks Foundation is the official nonprofit partner of the National Park Service. The Foundation offers a variety of park programs to help make the parks the best that they can be, from making destinations more accessible to all Americans to providing support for future and current NPS employees.

One such program is the Reducing Energy program. National parks are estimated to release the same amount of greenhouse gas emissions as 20,000 American homes. The program aims to help parks invest in renewable energy and energy efficiency upgrades for buildings, transition to electric vehicle fleets, and education surrounding energy usage. 

The program has already completed projects such as solar panel installations at ranger stations and visitor centers and electric and zero-emission vehicle transitions. 

Renewing our National Parks partnership

The Department of Energy’s Federal Energy Management Program partnered with the National Parks Service to help deploy renewable energy projects across the national parks. Many of these projects were installed decades ago, with some of the oldest completed in 1994. 

Notable installations include an 18 kW solar panel installation at Yellowstone’s Bechler Ranger Station, a 42 kW solar plus storage system at the Hole-in-the-Wall Visitor Center at Mojave National Preserve, and a solar hot water system at comfort stations throughout Chickasaw National Recreation Area in Oklahoma. 


Ways you can help the parks

1. Volunteer and advocacy work

Volunteering is the most direct way to be involved with the National Park Service. Many parks and national recreation areas have volunteer opportunities, including being a park educator, maintaining trails and buildings, or working in park libraries and archives to preserve history. 

You may not even realize that there are National Park Service opportunities near you. National recreation areas and monuments are scattered throughout the country and are excellent places to connect with your community. 

If there aren’t any parks nearby, there are still plenty of opportunities to help. There are virtual opportunities you may be eligible for either directly through the NPS or organizations like the National Park Foundation. You can also use the parks as creative inspiration for artwork or other advocacy campaigns that preserve the history and story of the parks.

2. Pack it in, pack it out

You want a national park to leave an impact on you — not the other way around. Be mindful of your surroundings, and don’t leave trash behind. And if you notice litter that’s not your own, take it with you, too! Even the smallest action on your part plays a vital role in preserving and protecting. 

Also, be sure to recycle when you can. Park visitors generate a significant amount of waste, so any amount that can be recycled is beneficial and can help the parks meet their climate-friendly goals. 

3. Switching to clean and efficient alternatives in your everyday life

Not all of us are within driving distance of a National Park or have the time to spend hours volunteering. Believe it or not, there are habits and upgrades you can make in your daily life that will benefit national parks and your local environment!

We can all use less energy, not just from an environmental perspective but also from a financial one. Upgrading to energy-efficient appliances and practicing energy conservation habits can greatly reduce electricity use and lower one's carbon footprint. 

To really make a dent, you can switch to an electric vehicle or install solar panels on your roof. Solar panels generate completely clean energy, meaning you’ll automatically reduce your greenhouse gas emissions. Switching to renewable energy sources like solar is better for the planet and the parks! 

Start helping the planet today by switching to solar panels
Written by Catherine Lane Solar Industry Expert

Catherine has been researching and reporting on the solar industry for five years and is the Written Content Manager at SolarReviews. She leads a dynamic team in producing informative and engaging content on residential solar to help homeowners make informed decisions about investing in solar panels. Catherine’s expertise has garnered attention from leading industry publications, with her work being featured in Solar Today Magazine and Solar ...

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