Explore Your National Parks
Editor’s note: This article was updated for the 2026 riding season to reflect current National Park Service information.
There are 63 national parks under the care of the U.S. National Park Service. The majority, a stunning 57%, are located in the western region of the country, while two are in U.S. territories. Regardless of location, each park beckons visitors with unique and breathtaking scenery, historically and geologically significant sites, and, above all, the chance to find peace and serenity in unspoiled landscapes.
Use the information below to conveniently find and explore parks in each of the regions where you would like to take a motorcycle sport touring ride. These insights, together with practical details in the article Guide to Motorcycling in the National Parks, will help you plan with confidence.
Use this companion guide covering park reservations, fees, weather and more to plan your national park ride. America’s national parks are ideal destinations for a sport touring adventure. Here’s what you need to know to get started planning. [read the article]
This article presents a complete list of national parks organized by region. Each park is listed with its overall visitor ranking, annual visitors in 2024, and the percentage of those visits that occurred between May and September. The figures are based on finalized 2024 National Park Service visitation data. Annual 2025 visitation data are not yet finalized by the National Park Service. For added convenience, each park can link directly to its corresponding page on the National Park Service website.
Western National Parks
The western United States boasts an array of breathtaking national parks, each with its own distinct allure and natural wonders. From the towering peaks of Rocky Mountain National Park to the otherworldly landscapes of Death Valley National Park, these protected areas offer unparalleled beauty and adventure. Yet amid their grandeur lie fascinating hidden gems. Yellowstone is home to the continent’s largest supervolcano, while Bryce Canyon features the world’s largest concentration of hoodoos, those odd-shaped pillars of rock that give the park its unmistakable character.
Midwest National Parks
The Midwest region of the United States features a diverse array of national parks rich with distinct and captivating experience. From the serene woodlands of Cuyahoga Valley National Park in Ohio to the rugged beauty of Badlands National Park in South Dakota, these parks showcase the natural wonders and cultural heritage of the heartland.
Little-known facts about Midwest national parks include the subterranean marvels of Wind Cave National Park, the ancient geologic formations of Indiana Dunes National Park, and the remote wilderness of Voyageurs National Park, where visitors can explore a vast network of interconnected waterways. And if exploring shipwrecks at Isle Royale NP in Lake Superior sounds interesting, make plans to sail or fly in – you can’t ride there.
| National Park | Visitor Rank | Annual Visitors | Percent in May-Sep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cuyahoga Valley NP, Ohio | 12 | 2,912,454 | 56% |
| Indiana Dunes NP, Indiana | 13 | 2,705,209 | 68% |
| Gateway Arch NP, Missouri | 14 | 2,563,052 | 60% |
| Badlands NP, South Dakota | 25 | 1,094,245 | 83% |
| Theodore Roosevelt NP, North Dakota | 31 | 732,951 | 86% |
| Wind Cave NP, South Dakota | 40 | 489,399 | 73% |
| Voyageurs NP, Minnesota | 53 | 199,030 | 92% |
| Isle Royale NP, Michigan | 58 | 28,806 | 99% |
Northeast & Southeast National Parks
National parks in the Northeast and Southeast offer a stunning array of natural beauty and unique landscapes. From the rugged coastlines of Acadia National Park in Maine to the mysterious depths of Mammoth Cave National Park in Kentucky, these parks boast their own distinct character.
The serene beauty of the Great Smoky Mountains straddling North Carolina and Tennessee contrasts with the vibrant ecosystems of Florida’s Everglades, Biscayne, and Dry Tortugas National Parks. Meanwhile, the historical significance of Hot Springs National Park in Arkansas, the breathtaking vistas of Shenandoah National Park in Virginia, the dense forests of Congaree National Park in South Carolina, and the wild rapids of New River Gorge National Park & Preserve in West Virginia offer diverse experiences for nature lovers and adventurers alike. And like Isle Royale on the Midwest, Dry Tortugas NP is only accessible by boat or seaplane.
| National Park | Visitor Rank | Annual Visitors | Percent in May-Sep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Great Smoky Mountains NP, North Carolina & Tennessee | 1 | 12,191,834 | 51% |
| Acadia NP, Maine | 7 | 3,961,661 | 80% |
| Hot Springs NP, Arkansas | 16 | 2,461,812 | 47% |
| New River Gorge NP & PRES, West Virginia | 17 | 1,811,937 | 64% |
| Shenandoah NP, Virginia | 18 | 1,720,211 | 50% |
| Mammoth Cave NP, Kentucky | 28 | 747,042 | 54% |
| Everglades NP, Florida | 29 | 741,983 | 35% |
| Biscayne NP, Florida | 38 | 512,213 | 48% |
| Congaree NP, South Carolina | 51 | 242,049 | 39% |
| Dry Tortugas NP, Florida | 55 | 84,873 | 42% |
Southwest National Parks
The Southwest region, rideable pretty much year-round, has a collection of national parks that are as diverse as they are awe-inspiring. From the vast, majestic expanse of the Grand Canyon in Arizona to the surreal landscapes of White Sands in New Mexico, these parks encapsulate the rugged beauty and stark contrasts of the Southwest.
Visitors can explore the towering cacti of Saguaro National Park, which can be as many as 200 years old, ancient petrified forests in Arizona with the largest concentration of petrified wood in the world, the remote wilderness of Big Bend in Texas, the underground marvels of Carlsbad Caverns, and the mountainous terrain of the Guadalupe Mountains. All presenting distinct ecosystems, geological features, and opportunities for adventure, making the Southwest a premier destination for sport touring riders.
| National Park | Visitor Rank | Annual Visitors | Percent in May-Sep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Canyon NP, Arizona | 3 | 4,919,163 | 52% |
| Saguaro NP, Arizona | 26 | 946,369 | 25% |
| White Sands NP, New Mexico | 33 | 702,236 | 37% |
| Big Bend NP, Texas | 36 | 561,458 | 20% |
| Petrified Forest NP, Arizona | 37 | 559,254 | 51% |
| Carlsbad Caverns NP, New Mexico | 43 | 460,474 | 47% |
| Guadalupe Mountains NP, Texas | 52 | 226,134 | 29% |
National Parks in US Territories
And finally, we close with the two little know national parks found in territories of the United States. These parks may be a stretch for sport touring enthusiasts, nevertheless we listed them for completeness.
The Virgin Islands and American Samoa each host a national park offering visitors a glimpse into the rich biodiversity and cultural heritage of these scenic regions. Virgin Islands National Park, nestled in the serene Caribbean and covering 60% of the island of St. John, promises lush landscapes and historical insights, while the National Park of American Samoa, a haven in the South Pacific, offers a rare opportunity to experience untouched tropical ecosystems and Samoan culture.
These parks are not just natural wonders but also guardians of the islands’ histories and traditions.
| National Park | Visitor Rank | Annual Visitors | Percent in May-Sep |
|---|---|---|---|
| Virgin Islands NP, Virgin Islands | 45 | 423,029 | 36% |
| National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa | 59 | 22,567 | 35% |
Additional Resources
The article Guide to Motorcycling in the National Parks offers additional useful information to help plan a ride in and around any of the national parks. It’s a great resource to get started.
The National Park Service also offers a wealth of information about each national park, as well as the many national monuments, historic sites, and preserves. Use the links in the region tables above to jump directly to a specific park on the National Park Service website where you will find current updates on weather, road conditions, and any scheduled special events that might impact your travel plans.
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by Staff Writers
The American Sport Touring writing team represents a diverse group of passionate sport touring motorcycle riders and industry experts dedicated to delivering insightful, well-researched content. Our contributors, both within the organization and guest writers, bring deep firsthand experience with sport touring motorcycles, gear and accessories, and destination discovery and route planning. No matter the assignment, each upholds the American Sport Touring commitment to high-quality, informative, and trustworthy content.
