1985 National Park Visitors

US national park visitation, 1985.

In 1985, many of the United States' most celebrated national parks continued their reign as premier destinations for nature lovers and adventurers alike, with Great Smoky Mountains, Grand Canyon, Yellowstone, and Yosemite consistently ranking among the top in visitor numbers. Among these, **Great Smoky Mountains National Park** frequently topped the list, attracting millions to its misty peaks and ancient forests. Straddling the border of North Carolina and Tennessee, this sprawling park is renowned for its namesake 'smoky' haze, an atmospheric phenomenon caused by the moisture released by its dense vegetation. Its incredible biodiversity, including one of the world's finest examples of a temperate deciduous forest, provided habitat for an astonishing array of plant and animal life, making it a globally significant ecological preserve. Visitors in 1985 flocked to explore its extensive network of hiking trails, scenic auto tours like the Cades Cove Loop offering glimpses of historic structures and abundant wildlife, and to experience the vibrant fall foliage that transforms its rolling hills into a fiery spectacle.

Data Source: National Park Service Stats