Top 20 Visited National Park Sites in 2019

In 2019, the National Park Service welcomed 327,516,619 visitors to our 419 units. Do you know which states/parks hosted the most people? We broke down the Top 20 in this article, but you can see other highlights and graphs.

1. Golden Gate National Recreation Area (CA) – 15,002,227 people hiked, biked, walked, drove, and/or camped along the nearly 60 miles of mostly coastal areas north and south of San Francisco.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway (VA, NC) – 14,976,085 visitors took in the stunning views along the 469 miles of the parkway that meanders through the Appalachian Highlands.
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park (NC, TN) – 12,547,743 explored mountains, historic buildings, waterfalls, on wildflowers on foot, in cars, and on bikes.
4. Gateway National Recreation Area (NY, NJ) – 9,405,622 people visited this diverse urban park that spans 27,000 acres in New Jersey and New York.
5. Lincoln Memorial (DC) – 7,808,182 paid their respects to Pres. Abraham Lincoln at the memorial that was dedicated on May 30, 1922.
6. Lake Mead National Recreation Area (AZ, NV) – 7,499,049 bring their families to swim, boat, hike, cycle, camp and fish at America’s first and largest national recreation area each year.
7. George Washington Memorial Parkway (DC, MD, VA) – 7,487,265 traveled on this road designed for recreational driving that links special places in American history.
8. Natchez Trace Parkway (AL, MS, TN) – 6,296,041 people enjoyed not only a scenic drive but also hiking, biking, horseback riding, and camping along the 444-mile parkway.
9. Grand Canyon National Park (AZ) – 5,974,411 visitors took in the unique geologic colors of the canyon that is 277 river miles long, up to 18 miles wide, and one mile deep.
10. Gulf Islands National Seashore (FL, MS) – 5,600,240 people splashed and swam along 160 miles of the northern coast of the Gulf of Mexico.
11. Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historic Park (DC, MD, WV) – 5,116,787 discovered national, historical, and recreational treasures along the 184.5 miles of the C & O canal.
12. World War II Memorial (DC) – 4,831,327 came to recognize the ways Americans served, honor those who fell, and recognize the victory they achieved to restore freedom and end tyranny around the globe.
13. Rocky Mountain National Park (CO) – 4,670,053 visitors watched elk, hiked to mountain lakes, and drove on Trail Ridge Road, which crests at 12,000 feet in elevation.
14. Vietnam Veterans Memorial (DC) – 4,580,587 people paid their respect at the wall that chronologically lists the names of more than 58,000 Americans who gave their lives in service to their country.
15. Independence National Historic Park (PA) – 4,532,459 traveled to Philadelphia to see the Liberty Bell and Independence Hall.
16. Zion National Park(UT) – 4,488,268 people explored the wonders of Utah’s first national park.
17. Yosemite National Park (CA) – 4,422,861 visitors bask in the wonders of this area that has been set aside for protection since 1864.
18. Castle Clinton National Monument (NY) – 4,361,034 ventured to the southern tip of Manhattan Island to visit the monument.
19. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area (AZ, UT) – 4,330,563 came to enjoy the scenic vistas, geologic wonders, and a vast panorama of human history.
20. Statue of Liberty National Monument (NY) – 4,240,461 saw the gift of friendship from the French people, dedicated in on October 28, 1886.