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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.

  • 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.
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