The 10 Most-Loved Natural Sanctuaries in the United States

Imagine a place where millions of adventurous souls immerse themselves each year, getting lost in breathtaking landscapes, a biodiversity that connects you to the essential, and a natural beauty that envelops you. These are the national parks of the United States, true treasures that, in the last year alone (2024), saw more than 300 million visitors marvel at their magic. From the wild coast of Acadia in Maine to the god-sculpted canyons in Zion, Utah, every corner is a promise of wonder.

Consider this: since the National Park Service (NPS) began counting in 1904, these sanctuaries of towering mountains, untamed coastlines, and sky-touching deserts have witnessed over 16.4 billion smiles and astonished gazes. And 2024 was a record-breaking year that will leave you speechless. Did you know that Great Smoky Mountains National Park, embracing North Carolina and Tennessee, surpassed 12 million visits? It’s as if the whole world wanted to see its misty peaks! And nearly 3.2 million people were captivated by the giant valleys and icy peaks of Glacier National Park in Montana. A spectacle worthy of the gods!

It’s no wonder that people are drawn to this vastness, to this variety that many rightly call “America’s best idea.” Imagine: from the roar of the Atlantic to the calm of the Pacific (and yes, also in the wild lands of Alaska and Hawaii), the NPS cares for 85 million acres! That’s like having 150,000 miles of singing rivers and more than 21,000 miles of trails awaiting your footsteps. These 10 parks we present are the shining stars, yes, but they are just a small sample of the universe of wonders hidden within the 429 units of the NPS (including 63 national parks).

Get ready to meet the 10 giants, the national parks that conquered the most hearts in 2024. Ready for the journey?

1. 10. Glacier National Park

   In the Rocky Mountains of northern Montana, you’ll find a canvas painted by rivers of ice that, for more than two million years, sculpted its face. That’s why it’s called Glacier. In 2024, more than 3,208,755 souls were mesmerized by its mosaic of rock, ice, forest, and water! Prepare for spectacular views of distant glaciers, gem-like lakes, and trails that lead you to the soul of nature, like the magical Grinnell Lake.

2. 9. Grand Teton National Park

   The peaks of the Grand Teton… they are like granite fists that challenge the Wyoming sky! They rise almost 7,000 feet above the valley, creating some of the most audacious geological formations in the Rockies. In 2024, more than 3,628,222 adventurers came to admire its jewel-like lakes, blue glaciers, and those pinnacles that invite you to climb. A dream destination for mountaineers!

3. 8. Olympic National Park

   Imagine a place where the wild Pacific coast embraces glacier-capped mountains and an ancient rainforest… that’s Olympic National Park in Washington state! More than 3.7 million people got lost in its magic in 2024. Its 922,651 acres are a gift from nature, from dramatic beaches with unique rock formations (like Rialto Beach) to dense forests and breathtaking peaks.

4. 7. Acadia National Park

   Here in Maine, the sea and mountains meet at Acadia National Park, a place so special that it attracted 3,961,661 visitors in 2024. Much of the park is on Mount Desert Island, a corner that perfectly blends wild nature with charming coastal towns. With over 500 miles of trails, from leisurely strolls to strenuous challenges, Acadia awaits with open arms for you to explore and enjoy.

5. 6. Yosemite National Park

   John Muir said it best: “No temple made with human hands can compare with Yosemite.” And he was right. This temple of granite cliffs and towering waterfalls in California received 4,121,807 million visitors in 2024. Most fell in love with Yosemite Valley, a canyon one mile wide and seven miles long, first carved by a river and then magnified by glacial action. Did you know you can see the mysterious “moonbows” or lunar rainbows here?

6. 5. Rocky Mountain National Park

   If alpine views take your breath away, get ready for Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. More than 4.2 million visitors confirmed it in 2024. This park is a treasure with 150 lakes and 450 miles of streams, plus ecosystems ranging from vibrant wetlands to whispering pine forests and alpine tundra that touches the sky. You can follow the headwaters that become the mighty Colorado River… an immersive experience in the majesty of the mountains!

7. 4. Yellowstone National Park

   Welcome to the grandfather of all national parks, Yellowstone. In 2024, 4.7 million people marveled at this vast kingdom that stretches across Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. Its rugged peaks, roaring geysers (over 500, like the impressive Castle Geyser!), alpine lakes, deep forests, and a parade of wildlife will leave you speechless. The real stars here are the majestic bison, curious bears (including black bears), sheep, imposing elk, and mysterious wolves. It’s a live-action natural zoo!

8. 3. Grand Canyon National Park

   The Grand Canyon… its name alone evokes awe. In 2024, 4,919,163 million people approached this abyss that makes you feel minuscule, a mile deep and up to 18 miles wide in some places. How to explore it? On foot, on the back of a mule, or by challenging the waters of the mighty Colorado River by raft. Every sunrise over Marble Canyon, bordering the Navajo Nation, is a work of art that remains etched in the soul!

9. 2. Zion National Park

   Imagine a river, the Virgin, born in the Utah high plateau, carving its way fiercely through Zion Canyon towards the desert. The result is a landscape that defies logic: rock towers pointing to the sky, sandstone canyons that seem hand-carved, and cliffs that make you feel small. This natural marvel captivated 4,946,592 million people in 2024. It is a hiker’s paradise, especially in iconic sections like “The Narrows,” where you walk through the river. An unforgettable adventure!

10. 1. Great Smoky Mountains National Park

    And the king, the undisputed number one: Great Smoky Mountains National Park. More than 12 million visitors flocked here in 2024! Its peaks are always shrouded in a mystical haze, its valleys hide secret waterfalls… you can explore it all via a scenic road that hugs the mountain or by using the more than 800 miles of trails that invite you to get lost between North Carolina and Tennessee. And at night, its starry skies are as captivating as its daytime landscapes!