The 8 Most Visited Parks In The USA

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There are many beautiful parks just waiting to be explored all across the USA. You can stay at National Forestry areas, state parks, and BLM areas, and they, on average, cost less than $20 a night for camping.

You will enjoy the fresh air and see trees, lakes, streams, and it is often just as beautiful as a National Park.

Let's introduce you to the most popular parks in the United States. They may be National parks, state parks, National Forestry areas, or the Bureau of Land Management areas.

Each park offers the opportunity to get away from the hustle and bustle of everyday urban life. It's a great way to connect or reconnect with nature.

Blue Ridge Parkway

In 1935 work on the Blue Ridge Parkway was started. Today, the parkway runs between Virginia to Cherokee, North Carolina. Along the way, you will enjoy the beautiful scenery as you take a leisurely drive with a maximum speed limit of 45mph.

Big trucks are not permitted because the entire route is dedicated to leisure trips. In 2020 the Blue Ridge Parkway attracted 14.1 million visitors.

There are many ways to enjoy the parkway. Even during the middle of winter when the road is closed because of ice or snow.

The road is not reopened until it is safe to do so, of course, and the unplowed roadway becomes a giant playground that is open to pedestrians and skiers.

Featured Attraction
When the road is open in the months with more gentle weather, taking a leisurely two-day RV trip along the Blue Ridge Parkway is a memorable event.

Starting in Roanoke, take a leisurely drive with stops at the many viewpoints, and you should reach Floyd by the early evening, where you can pull into the Chantilly Farm Campground.

In the morning, continue your journey, and when you reach milepost 213, you will find the Blue Ridge Music Center. Maybe you will catch a concert or enjoy the "Roots of American Music" exhibition.

After you leave, just another ten miles to Galax, Virginia, where you can spend the night at the Cool Breeze campground.

Golden Gate National Recreation Area

The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is a protected piece of land covering 82,057 acres surrounding San Francisco Bay.

The land was once occupied by the US Army. Today it is managed by the National Park Service. It is one of the largest urban parks worldwide, and in 2020 it attracted more than 12.4 million visitors.

The park is not one complete piece of land but is a series of smaller areas that stretch from the south of San Mateo County to the north of Marin County.

Featured Attraction
Tennessee Valley is located on the Marin Headlands. The Tennessee Valley Trail is a mostly flat route of 1.7 miles and takes you from the parking area and leads you to the beach.

You can enjoy the beach and explore the cove, which is surrounded by rock cliffs. At low tide, you can see the engine from the SS Tennessee shipwreck. Be careful not to get cut off by the tide.

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Great Smoky Mountains National Park

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park straddles the many ridges that separate North Carolina and Tennessee. It has an international reputation for the diversity of its animal life and vegetation.

The diversity of the natural area attracts many visitors each year. In 2020 it attracted 12.1 million visitors. There is so much to do and see at this National Park which, features 850 miles of hiking trails to explore.

Featured Attraction
Alum Cave Trail is a moderate hiking trail frequently used throughout the year. A round trip to the bluff is a 4.6-mile trip. More adventurous hikers may wish to use it on route to the summit of Mount LeConte.

While you walk this trail, you discover many different rock types, including Arch Rock and Alum Cove Bluffs.

Gateway National Recreation Area

Gateway National Recreation center is a 26,607-acre U.S. National Recreation Area in New York City and New Jersey.

Another Great urban park that in 2020 attracted 8.4 million visitors. It is a large and diverse park that offers green areas, beaches, wildlife, and outdoor activities. Whatever time of year there are things to do.

Featured Attraction
You can launch privately owned paddle-powered boats from various sites around the park. The best places are Floyd Bennett Fields seaplane ramp, Kayak launch at North Channel Bridge, and Horshoe Cove in Sandy Hook.

Boating is enjoyable in the park because the waters are relatively calm. Note: you should not enter the salt marshes or land on any islands in Jamaica Bay.

Lake Mead National Recreation Area

Lake Mead is the first and largest national recreation area that spans Northwestern Arizona and Southeastern Nevada. There are facilities for boating, fishing, and swimming. It is also an ideal place to go hiking. In 2020 more than 8 million visitors took advantage of this facility.

Featured Attraction
The Ghost Town of St. Thomas, Nevada, is contained within the Lake Mead National Recreation Area. It was abandoned as the waters of Lake Mead submerged the town in the 1930s. However, the water level of Lake Mead dropped in the 2000s, and the village reappeared once more.

Mormon settlers, led by Thomas Smith, founded the town in 1865. The National Park Service manages the historic site.

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Cameras And Accessories to capture the moment

These cameras and accessories will help you capture those memorable moments at these National Parks.

George Washington Memorial Parkway

Mount Vernon Memorial Highway, the first section of the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP), opened in 1932. The last section of the GWMP park opened in 1968 after many delays.

In 2020 6.1 million visitors traveled the parkway, which was also designated an "All American Road."

Featured Attraction
Mount Vernon Plantation was the plantation owned by George Washington, the first president of the United States. It is located near the end of the parkway.

Natchez Trace Parkway

Natchez Trace Parkway is yet another parkway stretching 444 miles between Nashville, Tennessee, and Natchez, Mississippi. A route traveled by 6.1 million visitors who enjoyed a leisurely drive.

Featured Attraction
The Natchez Trace Parkway has bicycle-only campgrounds. The most popular time to make this cycle ride is spring and fall, as summer can be too hot for a comfortable ride. Do not rush this route. Explore it slowly as you follow the parkway.

Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park

In 2020, more than 4.9 million visitors enjoyed this park. This made it the eighth-most busy park in the USA. The park is located in the State of Maryland and the District of Columbia.

Featured Attraction
A popular sight in this park is the Paw Paw tunnel, which is located near the 157-158 mile section of the parkway. It is a tunnel that took the canal underground for 3,118 feet.

You can walk through the tunnel, but it is not lit so you will need a good flashlight. The tunnel is carved six miles off the route boats had to take.

Which is your favorite USA Park?