GSMNP Most Visited Park in 2015
Of all the national parks in the United States the Great Smoky Mountains National Park was the most visited national park in 2015. The Smokies beat out the second place park, the Grand Canyon National Park in Nevada, with the GSMNP having twice the number of visitors as the number 2 park. For the first time ever the GSMNP had over 10.7 million visitors in one year. Park officials think the jump in the number of visitors was in part due to lower gas prices, a warm winter and their national campaign to promote the national parks leading up to the National Park Service’s 2016 Centennial Celebration. Over all across the United States visitors to all 409 national parks were up by almost 5%.
GSMNP Most Visited National Park in 2015
Although not a national park but a part of the National Park System, the Blue Ridge Parkway was the most visited attraction last year. Over 15 million visitors took to the Blue Ridge Parkway last year to enjoy the scenic views and leisurely ride. A better than usual fall foliage season last autumn and a warm December brought out the tourist on the 469 mile long parkway in Virginia and North Carolina.
Here is a list of the Top 10 most visited national parks for 2015
#1 Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina and Tennessee
#2 Grand Canyon National Park in Arizona
#3 Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado
#4 Yosemite National Park in California
#5 Yellowstone National Park in Wyoming, Montana and Idaho
#6 Zion National Park in Utah
#7 Olympic National Park in Washington
#8 Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming
#9 Acadia National Park in Maine
#10 Glacier National Park in Montana
On August 25, 2016 the National Park Service turns 100 years old! This whole year the park service in honor of the Centennial Celebration will be having special events. Find a national park nearby or visit one you have never been to and enjoy all that nature has to offer! There will be many special events being held at all the 409 national parks that are in the national park system. Help celebrate the 100 years of service of our beautiful national parks.
