REPORT: Little River Canyon is the 6th most visited National Park canyon in the U.S.

A new report ranked Little River Canyon as the 6th most visited canyon in the U.S. based on total visitor data from the National Park Service.

The study was conducted by tour provider Antelope Canyon.

In addition to its 6th place ranking, Little River Canyon National Preserve is the only canyon east of the Mississippi River on the study’s list.

The top ten National Park canyons (with total visitors) include:

1. Grand Canyon National Park — 4,940,173 visitors
2. Glen Canyon National Recreation Area — 4,750,964 visitors
3. Bryce Canyon National Park — 2,906,221 visitors
4. Canyon de Chelly National Monument — 954,758 visitors
5. Canyonlands National Park — 818,492 visitors
6. Little River Canyon National Preserve — 763,209 visitors
7. Kings Canyon National Park — 724,694 visitors
8. Black Canyon of the Gunnison National Park — 335,862 visitors
9. Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area — 226,715 visitors
10. Walnut Canyon National Monument — 187,685 visitors

Little River Canyon has tripled attendance in a decade

Attendance at the 14,000 acre National Preserve has seen remarkable growth over the past decade. 

In 2013, the NPS counted 185,477 visitors. The numbers steadily rose to 649,986 during 2019 — the pre-COVID year. 

During the COVID years, the park attracted over 800,000 nature lovers.

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