NPS Visitation Hit Record High in 2024
While the Current Administration Continues to Slash Jobs
The National Park Service (NPS) reported a record 331.9 million recreation visits in calendar year 2024, an increase of 6.36 million recreation visits from 2023.
“This is a clear indication of how much Americans love their national parks,” said Phil Francis, Chair of the Executive Council of the Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks. “It also further demonstrates how out of touch the current Administration is. Parks were already understaffed and underfunded. While park visitation continues to rise, the Administration has dismantled the NPS workforce – with a proposed mass reduction in force still underway.”
“In addition, this Administration has suspended normal spending authority and proposed canceling the leases on over 30 NPS buildings that house visitor centers, museums and other park facilities. These actions will make it nearly impossible for NPS employees to continue to do their jobs.
Our national parks just experienced the busiest year in history. Yet NPS employees, who should be on hand to help serve and protect these millions of visitors, are under attack. Our parks, visitors, and local economies -who rely on visitor spending – will suffer. This Administration is crippling our public lands and threatening the future of our national parks.”
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The Coalition to Protect America’s National Parks represents over 3,700 current, former, and retired employees and volunteers of the National Park Service, with over 50,000 collective years of stewardship of America’s most precious natural and cultural resources. Recognized as the Voices of Experience, the Coalition educates, speaks, and acts for the preservation and protection of the National Park System, and mission-related programs of the National Park Service. More information can be found at https://protectnps.org