Explore Your National Parks

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 to revel in unique and breathtaking scenery, explore historically and geologically significant sites, and above all, find peace and serenity while wandering through 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 details in the article Riding the National Parks in 2024, will help you plan with confidence.

For more information about planning a ride in the national parks
please see the article Riding the National Parks in 2024.

This article presents a complete list of national parks organized by region.  Each park is listed with its overall visitor ranking, average number of annual visitors, and the percentage who visit between May and September.  The data are from the National Park Service and reflect visits in 2022 and 2023, the most recent data available.  For added convenience, each park directly links to the 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 NP to the otherworldly landscapes of Death Valley NP, these protected areas offer unparalleled beauty and adventure. Yet amidst their grandeur lie fascinating hidden gems. For example, Yellowstone is home to the largest supervolcano on the continent. And Bryce Canyon features the largest collection of hoodoos (odd-shaped pillars of rock) in the world.

National Park	Visitor Rank	Annual Visitors	Percent May-Sep
Zion NP, Utah	3	4,657,828	55%
Rocky Mountain NP, Colorado	4	4,208,131	71%
Yellowstone NP, Idaho, Montana & Wyoming	6	3,895,812	87%
Yosemite NP, California	7	3,782,310	63%
Joshua Tree NP, California	8	3,164,349	28%
Grand Teton NP, Wyoming	9	3,111,665	82%
Glacier NP, Montana	10	2,921,037	91%
Olympic NP, Washington	13	2,690,238	68%
Bryce Canyon NP, Utah	15	2,407,965	68%
Mount Rainier NP, Washington	18	1,648,345	83%
Hawaii Volcanoes NP, Hawaii	19	1,600,628	44%
Arches NP, Utah	21	1,471,349	56%
Capitol Reef NP, Utah	22	1,248,235	61%
Death Valley NP, California & Nevada	23	1,114,247	33%
Sequoia NP, California	24	1,066,883	66%
Haleakala NP, Hawaii	28	939,454	43%
Canyonlands NP, Utah	29	789,735	55%
Kings Canyon NP, California	33	642,026	73%
Glacier Bay NP & PRES, Alaska	35	624,709	87%
Crater Lake NP, Oregon	37	543,618	80%
Great Sand Dunes NP & PRES, Colorado	40	502,824	76%
Mesa Verde NP, Colorado	41	502,492	74%
Denali NP & PRES, Alaska	42	463,142	96%
Redwood NP, California	43	433,753	61%
Lassen Volcanic NP, California	44	432,635	79%
Kenai Fjords NP, Alaska	46	388,734	98%
Black Canyon of the Gunnison NP, Colorado	47	327,163	69%
Channel Islands NP, California	48	325,996	50%
Pinnacles NP, California	49	308,122	41%
Great Basin NP, Nevada	54	142,690	74%
Wrangell-St. Elias NP & PRES, Alaska	56	71,771	98%
North Cascades NP, Washington	57	35,253	92%
Katmai NP & PRES, Alaska	58	33,836	99%
Lake Clark NP & PRES, Alaska	60	17,458	99%
Kobuk Valley NP, Alaska	61	17,271	48%
Gates of the Arctic NP & PRES, Alaska	62	10,251	100%

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 May-Sep
Cuyahoga Valley NP, Ohio	11	2,886,686	60%
Indiana Dunes NP, Indiana	12	2,800,036	71%
Gateway Arch NP, Missouri	16	2,020,805	61%
Badlands NP, South Dakota	25	1,026,605	84%
Theodore Roosevelt NP, North Dakota	31	707,771	88%
Wind Cave NP, South Dakota	36	599,939	78%
Voyageurs NP, Minnesota	53	221,130	87%
Isle Royale NP, Michigan	59	27,210	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 May-Sep
Great Smoky Mountains NP, North Carolina & Tennessee	1	13,117,640	53%
Acadia NP, Maine	5	3,925,075	80%
Hot Springs NP, Arkansas	14	2,574,550	43%
New River Gorge NP & PRES, West Virginia	17	1,650,373	66%
Shenandoah NP, Virginia	20	1,512,654	54%
Everglades NP, Florida	26	982,691	34%
Mammoth Cave NP, Kentucky	32	658,799	57%
Biscayne NP, Florida	34	636,133	43%
Congaree NP, South Carolina	51	227,318	40%
Dry Tortugas NP, Florida	55	81,387	45%

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 May-Sep
Grand Canyon NP, Arizona	2	4,732,903	53%
Saguaro NP, Arizona	27	959,550	24%
White Sands NP, New Mexico	30	717,112	40%
Petrified Forest NP, Arizona	38	512,850	50%
Big Bend NP, Texas	39	511,618	23%
Carlsbad Caverns NP, New Mexico	45	392,527	45%
Guadalupe Mountains NP, Texas	52	223,664	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 May-Sep
Virgin Islands NP, Virgin Islands	50	270,219	32%
National Park of American Samoa, American Samoa	63	7,011	32%

Additional Resources

The article Riding the National Parks in 2024 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 in 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.