National Parks Reports 323 Million Visits in 2025, 26 Parks Set New Visitation Records

WASHINGTON — The National Park Service recorded more than 323 million recreation visits across its sites in 2025, including more than 13 million overnight stays, with 26 parks setting new visitation records.

The agency reported the numbers despite a 43-day partial federal government shutdown during the year, the longest in U.S. history. Park officials said they worked to keep parks open and accessible whenever possible so visitors could continue to experience national park sites.

National Park Service officials said visitation data helps the agency manage parks, improve visitor experiences and protect natural and cultural resources. The agency tracks recreation visits annually and publishes the information through its Visitation Statistics Dashboard, which includes park visitation data dating back to 1979 for some locations.

The National Park system includes at least one site in every state and offers a wide range of recreational and educational opportunities. Detailed visitation data for individual parks is available through the National Park Service Social Science website.

The agency said it is also preparing to welcome millions of visitors as the United States approaches the 250th anniversary of American Independence.

Visitor Use by the Numbers  

• 323,014,305 recreation visits (406 parks report visitation figures) 
• 1,386,749,187 recreation visitor hours 
• 13,016,577 overnight stays 
• 26 parks set visitation records 

Top 10 – All Sites in the National Park System                    

1. Blue Ridge PKWY 16,533,753 
2. Golden Gate NRA 15,748,676 
3. Great Smoky Mountains NP 11,527,939 
4. Natchez Trace PKWY 7,994,783 
5. Lincoln MEM 7,743,295 
6. Gateway NRA 7,696,939 
7. Gulf Islands NS 7,576,923 
8. George Washington MEM PKWY 6,732,932 
9. Appalachian NST 6,215,118 
10. Lake Mead NRA 6,135,586 

Top 10 – National Parks 

1. Great Smoky Mountains NP 11,527,939 
2. Zion NP 4,984,525 
3. Yellowstone NP 4,762,988 
4. Grand Canyon NP 4,430,653 
5. Yosemite NP 4,278,413 
6. Rocky Mountain NP 4,171,431 
7. Acadia NP 4,079,318 
8. Grand Teton NP 3,800,648 
9. Olympic NP 3,584,187 
10. Glacier NP 3,136,557 

2025 Visitation At-A-Glance

• The National Park Service reported 323 million recreation visits in calendar year 2025.
  • This is a decrease of 8.85 million recreation visits, or 2.7%, from the record year in 2024. 
• 406 of the 433 National Park System units report visitor use. 
• Two new parks began reporting in 2024. 
• Recreation visitor hours were 1.39 billion; a decrease of 0.7% from 2024. 
• There was a 2.4% decrease from 2024 for overnight stays.  26 parks, 6% of reporting parks, set a record for annual recreation visits. 

• Categories:  
• National Parks