2017 National Park Visitors

2017: Record visitation at U.S. National Parks.

In 2017, the United States' national parks system continued to draw millions, with iconic destinations like Zion, Yosemite, Yellowstone, and the Grand Canyon consistently ranking among the most visited. However, the undisputed champion in terms of visitation remained Great Smoky Mountains National Park, welcoming over 11 million visitors that year. Nestled along the border of Tennessee and North Carolina, this majestic park is celebrated for its ancient mountains, cloaked in dense, verdant forests that often shimmer with a characteristic blue haze, giving the "Smoky" its name. It boasts incredible biodiversity, housing more than 17,000 documented species, including a rich array of plant life, black bears, and elk, making it a critical ecological sanctuary. Visitors in 2017 flocked to its vast network of hiking trails, including sections of the Appalachian Trail, scenic drives like Newfound Gap Road offering breathtaking panoramas, and historic structures in areas like Cades Cove that preserve Appalachian culture. Its accessibility, combined with its serene beauty and diverse offerings from waterfall hikes to wildlife viewing, solidified its status as America's most beloved natural treasure.

Data Source: National Park Service Stats