WASHINGTON, D.C. — On March 5, the National Park Service reported a record 331.9 million recreation visits in calendar year 2024. 

This is an increase of 6.36 million recreation visits, or 2%, from 2023. 

The previous record was set in 2016 with 330,971,689 recreation visits.  

Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve had a decline in visits from 512,219 in 2023 to 437,661 in 2024, a 14.55 percent decrease 

Recreation visitor hours were 1.4 billion. 

There was a 2.6% increase from 2023 for overnight stays in concession and NPS operated facilities. Overnight stays at concession operated lodging alone were up 11.7%. 

Four hundred and four of the 433 National Park System units report visitor use.  

Four new parks began reporting in 2024.  

Twenty-eight parks, 7% of reporting parks, set a record for annual recreation visits.   

Visitors are spreading out their visits throughout the year. Fifty-five percent of parks experienced an above-average number of visits in February-June and October-December. Thirty-eight parks experienced visitation above the 10-year average in every month of the year.