<strong>Golden Gate National Recreation Area: </strong>The National Park Service recorded a record-breaking 331 million visits during its centennial year, and the top 10 most popular park sites all recorded more than five million visits each. California's Golden Gate National Recreation Area came in first place with more than 15.6 million visits. Hikers can spot these old redwood trees in Muir Woods, which is part of the Golden Gate park area.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area: The National Park Service recorded a record-breaking 331 million visits during its centennial year, and the top 10 most popular park sites all recorded more than five million visits each. California's Golden Gate National Recreation Area came in first place with more than 15.6 million visits. Hikers can spot these old redwood trees in Muir Woods, which is part of the Golden Gate park area.
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<strong>2. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina/Virginia:</strong> Blue Ridge Parkway meanders for 469 miles through two states, revealing gorgeous views of the Appalachian Highlands that vary incredibly by season. Autumn's changing foliage is evident in a sunrise view of the Linn Cove Viaduct at Milepost 304 in North Carolina.
2. Blue Ridge Parkway, North Carolina/Virginia: Blue Ridge Parkway meanders for 469 miles through two states, revealing gorgeous views of the Appalachian Highlands that vary incredibly by season. Autumn's changing foliage is evident in a sunrise view of the Linn Cove Viaduct at Milepost 304 in North Carolina.
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<strong>3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee:</strong> The most popular of the 59 headliner National Parks, Great Smoky Mountains straddles the mountains between two states, protecting a variety of animal and plant life. Enter the park's southern entrance near Cherokee, North Carolina, to enjoy the view from the Oconaluftee Overlook.
3. Great Smoky Mountains National Park, North Carolina/Tennessee: The most popular of the 59 headliner National Parks, Great Smoky Mountains straddles the mountains between two states, protecting a variety of animal and plant life. Enter the park's southern entrance near Cherokee, North Carolina, to enjoy the view from the Oconaluftee Overlook.
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<strong>4. George Washington Memorial Parkway, Washington, D.C./Virginia/Maryland: </strong>While the parkway is a commuting route for many working in the region, it's also a carefully planned "park and playground" near the nation's capital. Forts, wildlife preserves, gardens and memorials can be found along the route, including these springtime tulips and dogwood in McLean, Virginia.
4. George Washington Memorial Parkway, Washington, D.C./Virginia/Maryland: While the parkway is a commuting route for many working in the region, it's also a carefully planned "park and playground" near the nation's capital. Forts, wildlife preserves, gardens and memorials can be found along the route, including these springtime tulips and dogwood in McLean, Virginia.
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<strong>5. Gateway National Recreation Area, New York/New Jersey: </strong>Sunrise at Sandy Hook, on the New Jersey side, is worth waking up for. Gateway has three geographic units: Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and Jamaica Bay and Staten Island, both in New York City.
5. Gateway National Recreation Area, New York/New Jersey: Sunrise at Sandy Hook, on the New Jersey side, is worth waking up for. Gateway has three geographic units: Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and Jamaica Bay and Staten Island, both in New York City.
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<strong>6. Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.:</strong> President Abraham Lincoln's influence on the country was so vast, there are 16 sites associated with the 16th president's legacy. Construction of the Lincoln Memorial was completed in 1922.
6. Lincoln Memorial, Washington, D.C.: President Abraham Lincoln's influence on the country was so vast, there are 16 sites associated with the 16th president's legacy. Construction of the Lincoln Memorial was completed in 1922.
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<strong>7. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Arizona/Nevada. </strong>Lake Mead, observed here from the Hoover Dam, is one of the most popular spots to play in this 1.5 million acre park site that includes canyons, mountains, valleys and two lakes (the other is Lake Mohave). There are also nine wilderness areas to explore.
7. Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Arizona/Nevada. Lake Mead, observed here from the Hoover Dam, is one of the most popular spots to play in this 1.5 million acre park site that includes canyons, mountains, valleys and two lakes (the other is Lake Mohave). There are also nine wilderness areas to explore.
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<strong>8. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: </strong>The second most popular National Park, Grand Canyon was first protected as a national monument by then-President Theodore Roosevelt. Watching the sunrise at the park's North Rim is majestic.
8. Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona: The second most popular National Park, Grand Canyon was first protected as a national monument by then-President Theodore Roosevelt. Watching the sunrise at the park's North Rim is majestic.
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<strong>9. Natchez Trace Parkway, Alabama/Mississippi/Tennessee: </strong>The historic Old Trace trail was once the main road through the Old Southwest, going through Chickasaw and Choctaw lands to get from Natchez to Nashville. Commemorated by the Natchez Trace Parkway, the trail still exists in part today. This location is milepost 221.4.
9. Natchez Trace Parkway, Alabama/Mississippi/Tennessee: The historic Old Trace trail was once the main road through the Old Southwest, going through Chickasaw and Choctaw lands to get from Natchez to Nashville. Commemorated by the Natchez Trace Parkway, the trail still exists in part today. This location is milepost 221.4.
NPS
<strong>10. Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.: </strong> Designed by Maya Lin, the memorial lists the names of over 58,000 servicemen and women who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. Their names are listed chronologically by date of casualty.
10. Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Washington, D.C.: Designed by Maya Lin, the memorial lists the names of over 58,000 servicemen and women who lost their lives in the Vietnam War. Their names are listed chronologically by date of casualty.
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