Which U.S. national park has been the most visited national park since 1944?

Great Smoky Mountains National Park has been the most visited U.S. national park since 1944.

The park straddles North Carolina and Tennessee along the crest of the Great Smoky Mountains. Its popularity comes from its accessible location near major population centers, scenic mountain roads, hiking trails, historic buildings, waterfalls, and year-round public access.

Unlike parks that charge an entrance fee, Great Smoky Mountains National Park has historically offered free entry. The park also protects exceptionally diverse forests and wildlife, including black bears, salamanders, and more than 1,600 species of flowering plants.

Visitor rankings can vary from year to year, but the long-running historical distinction dates to 1944. High annual visitation does not mean the park is the largest; it is far smaller than Alaska’s Wrangell–St. Elias National Park.