Great Smoky Mountains Natl. Park — According to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, it had 13 million visits in 2023—the second highest ever recorded.
The number of visits to the national park was up 3% from the previous year, however, it was still only second to 2021 which had 13.3 million visitors. The park has recorded an average of 12 million visitors over the last 10 years.
"This year’s data shows that Great Smoky Mountains National Park continues to resonate with millions of visitors,” GSMNP Superintendent Cassius Cash said. “People come here to build deeper connections with the park, seek adventures, and make new discoveries.”
In 2023, a parking tag system for the Smokies was introduced—charging visitors for the first time to leave their cars.
400 out of 428 national parks from all 50 states recorded visitors this year, with a total of 325.5 million visits to all parks in the United States.