The best US national parks you should visit at least once (or twice) – Image for illustrative purposes only (Image credits: Unsplash)
Despite a modest national decline in park visits during 2025, twenty-six individual sites set new attendance highs. The National Park Service tallied 323 million total visits that year, down from 331.9 million in 2024. Several well-known destinations and a handful of remote outposts drove the gains, signaling that certain landscapes continue to draw travelers even as overall numbers eased.
Western Icons With Fresh Peaks
California’s Redwood and Sequoia national parks both posted record numbers. Their ancient groves and towering sequoias offer scale that few other places match. Visitors who arrive early or mid-week often find quieter trails and better wildlife sightings. Planning matters more than ever at these sites. Advance reservations for popular campgrounds and shuttle services help avoid long waits at entrance stations. Nearby gateway communities have expanded lodging options, yet demand still spikes during summer and fall foliage seasons.
Remote Alaska and Florida Outliers
Gates of the Arctic in Alaska and Dry Tortugas in Florida also reached new highs. Both require extra effort to reach, yet the payoff is solitude and scenery that feel untouched. Gates of the Arctic offers vast tundra and river corridors rarely seen by large groups. Dry Tortugas delivers clear water, historic fort ruins, and some of the best snorkeling in the continental United States. Travelers to these parks typically combine visits with regional trips. Flights into Fairbanks or Key West followed by ferry or bush-plane legs add cost and time, but they also limit daily crowds. Those who secure permits or ferry tickets well ahead report the most seamless experiences.
Eastern and Southern Standouts
Acadia, Shenandoah, and Great Smoky Mountains national parks each welcomed more visitors than ever before. Acadia’s granite coastline and Cadillac Mountain sunrise draws remain signature draws. Shenandoah’s Skyline Drive and fall color pull drivers from the mid-Atlantic corridor. The Smokies continue to attract families with easy access to old-growth forests and synchronous firefly displays. These parks sit within a day’s drive of major population centers, which explains part of their sustained appeal. Rangers now emphasize shoulder-season travel and dispersed hiking to spread impact. Local outfitters have added guided options that help newcomers navigate permit systems and trail conditions safely.
Practical Steps for Record-Year Travel
The pattern across record-setting parks points to one consistent lesson: preparation reduces frustration. Checking current reservation rules, monitoring weather, and packing extra water remain basic but effective steps. Many sites now post real-time crowd data on their websites, allowing last-minute adjustments. Travelers who spread visits across spring and fall shoulder periods often encounter milder weather and fewer bottlenecks. Those who focus on lesser-known corners within each park, such as high-country trails or side canyons, frequently describe more memorable encounters with the landscape itself. The records show strong interest; thoughtful timing turns that interest into rewarding trips.
