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Great Smoky Mountains Tops 2025 National Park Visits

3/19/2026

38 6 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park recorded 11,527,939 visits in 2025, the most of any park.
Zion National Park had 4,984,525 visits in 2025, making it the second-most-visited park.
Yellowstone National Park ranked third with 4,762,988 visits in 2025.
The National Park System recorded 323 million visits in 2025, down from 331.8 million in 2024, partly due to a government shutdown.

History

Historical Context

Established on August 25, 1916, the National Park Service (NPS) was created to manage and protect national parks, beginning with Yellowstone, the first national park in 1872. By 2025, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park led visitation with over 11 million visits, reflecting a growing public interest in conservation and outdoor recreation, despite a decline from 331 million total visits in 2024 due to staffing cuts and government actions.

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Story summary

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park recorded 11,527,939 visits in 2025, the most of any park.
Zion National Park had 4,984,525 visits in 2025, making it the second-most-visited park.
Yellowstone National Park ranked third with 4,762,988 visits in 2025.
The National Park System recorded 323 million visits in 2025, down from 331.8 million in 2024, partly due to a government shutdown.

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