RockyMap Most Visited National Park Trails: 2026 Data
Most Visited National Park Trails: 2026 Data
The National Park Service recorded over 323 million recreation visits in 2025, a slight decline from 2024’s all-time record of 331.9 million. A 43-day partial government shutdown in October and November 2025 likely contributed to the decrease. Despite the dip, parks remain enormously popular, and certain trails within those parks absorb visitor volumes that create genuine crowding challenges.
This guide ranks the most visited parks and their signature trails using the latest 2025 data released in early 2026, and provides practical guidance on timing your visits to avoid the worst congestion.
2025 Visitation Rankings
Most Visited National Park Sites (Overall)
| Rank | Site | 2025 Visitors | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Blue Ridge Parkway | 16.5M | Parkway |
| 2 | Golden Gate NRA | 15.7M | Recreation Area |
| 3 | Great Smoky Mountains NP | 11.5M | National Park |
| 4 | Gateway NRA (NYC) | ~9.5M | Recreation Area |
| 5 | Natchez Trace Parkway | ~6.5M | Parkway |
Most Visited National Parks
| Rank | National Park | 2025 Visitors | State |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Great Smoky Mountains | 11,527,939 | TN/NC |
| 2 | Zion | ~4.1M | UT |
| 3 | Yellowstone | ~4.0M | WY |
| 4 | Grand Canyon | ~4.4M | AZ |
| 5 | Yosemite | ~4.3M | CA |
| 6 | Rocky Mountain | ~3.8M | CO |
| 7 | Acadia | ~3.5M | ME |
| 8 | Grand Teton | ~3.3M | WY |
| 9 | Olympic | ~3.2M | WA |
| 10 | Glacier | ~3.0M | MT |
Notable: The Appalachian Trail was included in the NPS ranking for the first time, recording 6.2 million visits on NPS-managed sections alone.
Busiest Trails by Park
Great Smoky Mountains
Laurel Falls Trail — Approximately 1.5 million annual hikers make this 2.6-mile paved trail to an 80-foot waterfall the busiest single trail in the national park system. On peak summer weekends, parking fills by 8 AM and the trail resembles an urban sidewalk.
Alternatives: Ramsey Cascades (8 miles, moderate) offers a similar waterfall payoff with a fraction of the foot traffic.
Zion
Angels Landing — The permit system introduced in 2022 limits trail access to roughly 200 hikers per day, down from the pre-permit daily averages exceeding 1,000. The lottery system means planning ahead is essential. The Observation Point trail provides comparable views without the permit requirement or chain-assisted exposure.
Grand Canyon
Bright Angel Trail — The most accessible rim-to-canyon trail, starting directly from Grand Canyon Village. Peak-day traffic can reach 2,000+ hikers. The South Kaibab Trail starting from the Kaibab Trailhead is slightly less crowded and offers better views, though it has no water stations. Our Grand Canyon day hikes guide compares all South Rim options.
Yellowstone
Old Faithful area boardwalks — More walking paths than hiking trails, these boardwalks see the park’s highest foot traffic. For actual trail hiking, the Grand Prismatic Overlook Trail and Fairy Falls Trail see moderate crowds that thin significantly beyond the first mile.
Yosemite
Yosemite Falls Trail and Mist Trail — Both trailheads in Yosemite Valley see enormous daily traffic. The Mist Trail to Vernal Fall is the most hiked route in the park. Permits are required for the Half Dome cables (May–October) and reached through a lottery system. Our Yosemite Valley guide covers alternatives.
Crowding Patterns and Timing
By Month
| Month | Crowding Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| January–February | Very Low | Many high-elevation trails closed by snow |
| March–April | Low to Moderate | Desert parks (Zion, Grand Canyon) begin peak season |
| May–June | High | Most popular month for many parks |
| July–August | Highest | Schools out, peak family travel |
| September–October | Moderate to High | Excellent conditions, fall foliage |
| November–December | Low | Shoulder season, reduced services |
By Day of Week
Saturday and Sunday see 40 to 60% more trail traffic than weekdays at most parks. Tuesday through Thursday are consistently the least crowded days. If your schedule allows midweek hiking, the difference in trail experience is significant.
By Time of Day
Most hikers arrive between 9 AM and 11 AM. Starting at or before sunrise provides two to three hours of relative solitude on even the busiest trails. Late afternoon (after 3 PM) also offers reduced crowds but carries the risk of running out of daylight.
Reservation and Permit Systems in 2026
The growing visitor numbers have pushed several parks to implement timed entry and trail-specific permits.
| Park / Trail | System | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mountain NP | Timed entry | Required May–October, $2/vehicle |
| Zion (Angels Landing) | Lottery permit | Seasonal + day-before lottery |
| Glacier (Going-to-Sun) | Vehicle reservation | Required June–September |
| Yosemite | Peak weekend day-use | Required select weekends |
| Shenandoah (Old Rag) | Day-use ticket | Required year-round, $1/person |
| Half Dome (Yosemite) | Cable permit | Pre-season lottery + daily |
| Haleakala (sunrise) | Reservation | Required for sunrise driving |
AAA and travel industry groups are forecasting increased domestic travel in 2026 as the US approaches its 250th anniversary, which may push park visitation back toward or beyond the 2024 record. Our National Parks Best Trails Guide includes current permit details for each major park.
Strategies for Avoiding Crowds
Start early. Arrive at the trailhead before 7 AM during peak season. This strategy works everywhere and requires no permits, reservations, or special planning.
Hike midweek. Tuesday through Thursday trail traffic drops by 40 to 60% at most parks.
Choose alternative trails. Every crowded signature trail has a less-visited alternative within the same park that provides comparable scenery. The alternatives are often better hikes with fewer people — they just lack the name recognition.
Visit in shoulder season. September through mid-October provides the best combination of good weather, reduced crowds, and seasonal displays (fall colors in eastern parks, rut season for elk in Rocky Mountain NP).
Consider lesser-known parks. Great Basin, Black Canyon of the Gunnison, Capitol Reef, Lassen Volcanic, and North Cascades all offer outstanding hiking with a fraction of the visitor traffic. See our trail guides for Capitol Reef and other uncrowded parks.
Apply for permits early. For lottery-based permits (Angels Landing, Half Dome), apply on the first available date. Seasonal lotteries for 2026 open months in advance.
2026 Outlook
Travel industry forecasts predict increased park visitation in 2026, driven by the US semiquincentennial celebrations and continued strong domestic travel demand. Parks that already strain under current volumes — Zion, Yosemite, Rocky Mountain — may see expanded reservation systems. Hikers who plan ahead and build flexibility into their schedules will have better experiences than those who arrive hoping for the best.
The Hiking FAQ addresses additional questions about park planning, permits, and trail selection.
Key Takeaways
- Great Smoky Mountains remains the most visited park with 11.5 million visitors in 2025, followed by Zion, Yellowstone, and Grand Canyon
- Permit and reservation systems now govern access at several major parks and popular trails
- Early starts (before 7 AM), midweek visits, and shoulder season travel dramatically reduce crowding
- Alternative trails within the same park often provide equal or better experiences with far fewer people
- 2026 visitation is expected to increase — plan and reserve early
Next Steps
- Find specific trail recommendations in the National Parks Best Trails Guide
- Calculate trail difficulty for trip planning with the Trail Difficulty Calculator
- Gear up with Best Hiking Boots 2026 and Best Daypacks 2026
- Get started with Hiking for Beginners 2026
- Pack properly with the Day Hike Checklist
Visitation data sourced from the National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics Dashboard. 2025 figures are official NPS data released in early 2026. 2026 projections are industry estimates and subject to change.
Sources
- NPS Recorded More Than 323 Million Recreation Visits in 2025 — National Parks Traveler — accessed March 27, 2026
- Top 10 Most Visited National Parks in 2025 — Axios — accessed March 27, 2026
- Visitation Numbers — National Park Service — accessed March 27, 2026