​Not every beautiful landscape with a large expanse of land and wildlife counts as a national park. National parks are protected areas established to conserve and preserve the cultural, historical, and natural heritage of a region. Whether you are driving through a vast savannah or hiking through tall redwoods, national parks typically offer a unique experience that emphasizes education, recreation, and preservation.

A defining feature of national parks is their legal protection. They are typically established through legal frameworks that ensure they are protected from activities that could compromise their ecological integrity. For instance, in the United States, the National Park Service Organic Act of 1916 established the National Park Service (NPS). This body was vested with the power to manage and preserve national parks across the country. This act mandates the NPS to preserve the scenery, wildlife, and historic and national treasures within these parks.

Although national parks are established with the intention of environmental conservation, they also provide public access for recreation and enjoyment. Visitors can engage in activities like wildlife viewing, educational programs, hiking, and camping. Such activities are carefully managed to reduce environmental impact and support sustainable tourism.

National parks were primarily established to conserve the natural ecosystem. They protect various flora and fauna, as well as their habitats, ensuring that these spaces retain their biodiversity. For instance, the Great Smoky Mountains in the United States are one of the most biodiverse national parks in the country, housing over 19,000 species of living organisms. These parks serve as a refuge for many endangered species and as a hub for environmental monitoring and research.

Managing national parks effectively is crucial to preserving their natural and cultural value. Park authorities create detailed management plans that outline goals for conservation, visitor access, infrastructure, and community involvement. To protect these special places, they often adopt sustainable practices, such as capping visitor numbers during peak seasons, promoting environmentally friendly tourism, and collaborating closely with local communities. These strategies help strike a balance between preserving the parks and allowing people to enjoy them responsibly.

In the United States, the National Park System comprises more than 400 sites, each managed with a focus on both protection and public enjoyment. These parks make significant contributions to both local and national economies by supporting tourism, generating employment opportunities, and providing valuable ecosystem services. For example, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park brings in substantial revenue for nearby towns. Beyond economics, parks play a vital role in supporting biodiversity, regulating climate, and providing clean water, all of which improve the quality of life for people and protect the environment for future generations.

Finally, national parks serve as outdoor classrooms where visitors can learn about both the natural world and cultural heritage. Many parks protect important historical sites, indigenous traditions, and archaeological treasures. Through interpretive programs, engaging visitor centers, and guided tours, these parks help you connect with the stories and landscapes that shape our shared history, deepening your appreciation and understanding of their value.

​Since the opening of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, the United States government has added 62 additional parks to the National Park System (NPS). In 2024, more Americans and tourists than ever visited at least one National Park System site. These sites include national monuments, memorials, battlefields, and other protected lands. Nearly 332 million visitors helped NPS achieve $55.6 billion in economic output, in addition to providing 415,400 jobs and $19.4 billion in labor income. While the NPS is more popular and profitable than ever, certain sites are frequented more than others.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park led the way in 2024 with 12.19 million visitors. Great Smoky Mountains is by far the nation's most popular park, attracting nearly three times as many visitors as the second-ranked park.

Zion National Park ranked second in terms of visitors at 4.94 million people. Located in Utah, Zion is unique as a park in that it presents visitors with the opportunity to see three unique ecosystems converging together: the Mojave Desert, the Colorado Plateau, and the Great Basin.

Zion was followed closely by Grand Canyon National Park, which drew 4.91 million visitors. The spectacle of the Grand Canyon has attracted sight-seers for over 470 years. Activities at the park range from burro rides down into the canyon to river rafting on the Colorado River.

Yellowstone National Park was one of six NPS sites with at least four million visitors in 2024. The nation's first national park is home to an array of wildlife, including multiple bear species, packs of wolves, American bison, cougars, and much more. Yellowstone visitors can also see Old Faithful, a cone geyser that has consistently erupted about 20 times per day since the park opened.

Other popular parks in 2024 included Rocky Mountain National Park, Yosemite National Park, and Acadia National Park. Glacier National Park rounded out the top 10 with about 3.21 million visitors.

It should be noted that several non-park NPS sites attract many visitors. Golden Gate National Recreation Area, for instance, brought in 17.18 million visitors in 2024. About 16.73 million people visited Blue Ridge Parkway, with Great Smoky Mountains ranking third overall. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial was the 10th most-visited NPS site overall in 2024, with 5.29 million visitors.

Not all national parks and NPS sites draw millions of visitors each year. In some cases, the remote nature of a park can impact the amount of Americans and tourists who frequent the location. Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve routinely ranks as the country's least-visited park. In 2024, the site attracted just over 11,900 visitors. North Cascades National Park, Kobuk Valley National Park, and Lake Clark National Park and Preserve were all visited by less than 20,000 people.

Very few parks can be considered "under-attended." Great Basin National Park in Nevada is the 10th least visited park in the country, and it attracted more than 152,000 visitors, which is equal to over 416 daily visitors.

All told, NPS patrons spent 1.4 billion hours at national park sites in 2024. While some sites fared better than others, 55 percent of parks enjoyed above-average visitation numbers even during the least productive periods of the year. Nearly 30 parks set visitation records in 2024.