10 most visited national parks
10 most visited national parks
In 2010, more than 281 million people visited America's 58 national parks, according to the National Park Service. To celebrate National Park Week, scroll through our slideshow highlighting the natural beauty preserved within the 10 most visited parks -- as well as the hidden gems that draw the fewest visitors.
No. 1 most visited: 9.46 million people | Formed: June 15, 1934
Location: State 1 | State 2 | Nearest city
An isolated valley and hiking are the main attractions at Great Smoky Mountains National Park, which spans two states. The park, which is part of an impressive mountain range covers more than 520,000 acres
No. 2 Most Visited: 4.39 million people | Formed: Feb. 26, 1919
Location: State | Nearest town
Most visitors observe Grand Canyon National Park from its South Rim entrance. At more than 1.2 million acres , the park's main attraction -- the Grand Canyon -- is one of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World
No. 3 most visited: 3.9 million people | Formed: Oct. 1, 1890
Location: State | Nearest town
Roughly the size of this mid-Atlantic state, Yosemite National Park covers more than 761,000 acres. The park is famous for its mountain range, giant Sequoia groves and lava waterfalls mountains
No. 4 most visited: 3.64 million people | Formed: March 1, 1872
Location: State 1 | State 2 | State 3 | Nearest town
Spanning three states, Yellowstone National Park is more than 2.2 million acres and has one of the highest-altitude lakes in North America The oldest national park, it shelters a famous geyser and a native herd
No. 5 most visited: 2.96 million people | Formed: Jan. 26, 1915
Location: State | Nearest city
Spanning more than 265,000 acres, Rocky Mountain National Park shelters some of the most impressive mountain views in the nation The park also contains the Continental Divide
No. 6 most visited: 2.84 million people | Formed: June 29, 1938
Location: State | Nearest city
With mountains, rain forests and coastlines, Olympic National Park contains more than 922,000 acres The park shelters old-growth forests and region-specific herds.
No. 7 most visited: 2.669 million people | Formed: Feb. 26, 1919
Location: State | Nearest town
Named for the tallest peak in the mountain range, Grand Teton National Parkcovers more than 309,000 acres (see videos). A famous family donated its long-owned dude ranch for a park preserve (scroll through photos).
No. 8 most visited: 2.666 million people | Formed: Nov. 19, 1919
Location: State | Nearest town
Situated at the junction of a major plateau, watershed and desert, Zion National Park spans more than 146,000 acres Among the park's natural wonders is Zion Canyon, including a major hiking destination: the Narrows
No. 9 most visited: 2.5 million people | Formed: Feb. 26, 1919
Location: State | Nearest city
On the North Atlantic Coast, Acadia National Park spans more than 47,000 acres which includes the sixth largest island in the continental U.S. A wealthy philanthropist demonstrated his fondness for the park by creating numerous carriage trails.
No. 10 most visited: 2.49 million people | Formed: Oct. 11, 2000
Location: State | Nearest city | Other city
Situated between two urban areas, Cuyahoga Valley National Park preserves nearly 33,000 acres The park has an emphasis on rural living along an important river that became infamous for an environmental disaster .