10 most visited national parks
Great Smoky Mountains National Park
No. 1 most visited: 9.46 million people | Formed: June 15, 1934
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. 1 least visited: National Park of American Samoa | 2010 visitors: 3,006
Grand Canyon National Park
No. 2 Most Visited: 4.39 million people | Formed: Feb. 26, 1919
Location: see location | 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. 2 least visited: Kobuk Valley National Park | 2010 visitors: 3,164
Yosemite National Park
No. 3 most visited: 3.9 million people | Formed: Oct. 1, 1890
Location: see location | 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.
No. 3 least visited: Lake Clark National Park and Preserve | 2010 visitors: 9,931
Rocky Mountain National Park
No. 5 most visited: 2.96 million people | Formed: Jan. 26, 1915
Location: see location | 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. 5 least visited:Isle Royale National Park | 2010 visitors: 15,793
Olympic National Park
No. 6 most visited: 2.84 million people | Formed: June 29, 1938
Location: see location | 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. 6 least visited: North Cascades National Park | 2010 visitors: 24,659
Grand Teton National Park
No. 7 most visited: 2.669 million people | Formed: Feb. 26, 1919
Location: see location | Nearest town
Named for the tallest peak in the mountain range, Grand Teton National Park covers more than 309,000 acres. A famous family donated its long-owned dude ranch for a park preserve.
No. 7 least visited: Dry Tortugas National Park | 2010 visitors: 53,890
Zion National Park
No. 8 most visited: 2.666 million people | Formed: Nov. 19, 1919
Location: see location | 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. 8 least visited: Katmai National Park and Preserve | 2010 visitors: 55,172
Acadia National Park
No. 9 most visited: 2.5 million people | Formed: Feb. 26, 1919
Location: see location | 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. 9 least visited: Wrangell-St. Elias National Park | 2010 visitors: 73,170
Cuyahoga Valley National Park
No. 10 most visited: 2.49 million people | Formed: Oct. 11, 2000
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
No. 10 least visited: Great Basin National Park | 2010 visitors: 88,870.
Yellowstone National Park
No. 4 most visited: 3.64 million people | Formed: March 1, 1872
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. 4 least visited: Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve | 2010 visitors: 10,840
