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2mo ago

National Park Service Logs Record 331.9 Million Visits in 2024

Despite the milestone, staff cuts and a directive to downplay the achievement have raised concerns about the agency's future.

A National Park Service park ranger assists a driver while helping direct traffic from backing up into the adjacent community at an entrance to Joshua Tree National Park on Feb. 19, 2025, in Joshua Tree, Calif.
The sun sets in Newfound Gap at the Tennessee-North Carolina line. The area is part of the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and is known for having much cooler temperatures than surrounding lowlands.
A National Park Service internal memo leaked and was published online by a group that calls themselves the Resistance Rangers.
Famous Golden Gate Bridge view from the hidden and secluded rocky Marshall's Beach at sunset in San Francisco, California

Overview

  • The National Park Service recorded 331.9 million recreational visits in 2024, surpassing the previous record set in 2016.
  • Golden Gate National Recreation Area became the most visited site with 17.18 million visits, overtaking Blue Ridge Parkway, which faced closures due to Hurricane Helene.
  • Among traditional national parks, Great Smoky Mountains National Park remained the most visited with 12.19 million visitors, followed by Zion and Grand Canyon.
  • Staffing challenges have escalated, with 1,000 employees fired, over 700 resigning, and seasonal job offers being reinstated after initial cuts.
  • An internal memo instructed parks not to proactively publicize the record-breaking figures, breaking from past practices of celebrating visitation milestones.