The allure of America's great outdoors is undeniable, as U.S. National Parks shattered records with a staggering 325.5 million visits in 2023, proving that more people than ever are seeking adventure from the misty peaks of the Great Smoky Mountains to the surreal dunes of White Sands.
Key Takeaways
- In 2023, U.S. National Parks recorded a record 325.5 million recreation visits
- Visitation to U.S. National Parks increased by 2% from 2022 to 2023, reaching 325.5 million visits
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park had 12.1 million visitors in 2023, the most visited park
- 62% of U.S. adults visited a National Park in their lifetime as of 2022 survey
- Millennials (25-40) comprise 35% of National Park visitors in 2023
- 53% of National Park visitors are male, 47% female based on 2022 data
- National Park visitor spending reached $44.8 billion in 2023
- Visitor spending supported 378,000 jobs in 2023 across U.S.
- National Parks generated $2.4 billion in federal taxes from spending in 2023
- 70% of visitors participated in hiking during 2022 surveys
- Camping occurred in 25% of National Park visits in 2023
- Wildlife viewing engaged 60% of visitors annually
- Great Smoky Mountains: 80% hiking participation
- Zion: Angels Landing permits 1,200/day max, 80% permit seekers
- Grand Canyon: Rim-to-Rim hikers 15,000 annually
National Parks set a new visitation record last year with over 325 million recreation visits.
Demographic Data
- 62% of U.S. adults visited a National Park in their lifetime as of 2022 survey
- Millennials (25-40) comprise 35% of National Park visitors in 2023
- 53% of National Park visitors are male, 47% female based on 2022 data
- Families with children under 18 make up 28% of park visitors annually
- Urban residents account for 70% of National Park visitors
- Visitors from California represent 15% of total National Park attendance
- International visitors dropped to 10% post-COVID from 25% pre-2020
- Baby Boomers (over 60) are 22% of visitors, down from 30% in 2010
- Hispanic/Latino visitors increased 20% from 2019 to 2023 to 12% total
- 45% of Black/African American adults visited a park in past year per 2022 poll
- First-time visitors make up 25% of annual National Park attendance
- Couples without children are 32% of visiting groups
- Visitors aged 18-24 rose to 18% in 2023 from 12% in 2015
- 60% of visitors have college education or higher
- Annual household income over $100k for 40% of park visitors
- Repeat visitors average 5+ lifetime visits per person
- Women-led groups are 25% of all visiting parties
- Veterans comprise 8% of National Park visitors annually
- LGBTQ+ visitors estimated at 10-15% based on 2023 surveys
- Rural residents are 15% of visitors, urban/suburban 85%
- Asian American visitors up 15% to 6% of total in 2023
- Disabled visitors represent 12% with accessibility needs
- Group size average 3.2 people per visit
- Overnight visitors 20%, day-use 80% of total
Demographic Data Interpretation
National Parks are increasingly the domain of educated, upper-middle-class urbanites, yet they're gradually becoming a more faithful portrait of America itself—as long as you don't need to stay overnight, bring the grandparents, or meet many foreigners.
Economic Impact
- National Park visitor spending reached $44.8 billion in 2023
- Visitor spending supported 378,000 jobs in 2023 across U.S.
- National Parks generated $2.4 billion in federal taxes from spending in 2023
- Lodging accounted for 35% of $44.8 billion visitor spending in 2023
- Recreation fees collected $300 million in 2023 from parks
- Great Smoky Mountains contributed $2.3 billion to local economy in 2022
- Gateway National Recreation Area spending $1.2 billion, 10,000 jobs in 2023
- Yellowstone visitor spending $500 million annually
- Parks near urban areas like Golden Gate generated $1.5 billion in 2023
- Concession sales in parks totaled $1.1 billion in 2023
- Visitor spending multiplier effect 1.8x in gateway communities
- NPS lands overall economic output $50 billion including parks in 2023
- Zion National Park spending $450 million, 5,200 jobs in 2023
- Grand Canyon tourism $1.0 billion economic impact yearly
- Rocky Mountain NP $400 million spending
- Acadia NP visitor spending $600 million in 2023
- Olympic NP economic contribution $350 million annually
- Yosemite lodging and food spending $300 million
- Grand Teton $450 million from visitors
- Glacier NP $250 million economic output
- Shenandoah $200 million spending impact
- Everglades $150 million from visitors yearly
- Hawaii Volcanoes $120 million economic effect
- Bryce Canyon $180 million spending
- Arches NP $200 million impact
- Mammoth Cave $140 million from tourism
- Crater Lake $90 million economic contribution
- Mount Rainier $160 million spending
- Badlands $80 million impact
- Joshua Tree $280 million from visitors
Economic Impact Interpretation
It seems America's favorite hiking trails are also the nation's most scenic economic engines, quietly funding everything from park ranger salaries to gateway town bar tabs with every overpriced souvenir and campfire s'more.
Park-Specific Metrics
- Great Smoky Mountains: 80% hiking participation
- Zion: Angels Landing permits 1,200/day max, 80% permit seekers
- Grand Canyon: Rim-to-Rim hikers 15,000 annually
- Rocky Mountain: Trail Ridge Road 400,000 vehicles/year
- Acadia: Cadillac Mountain sunrise reservations 3,000/day peak
- Olympic: Hurricane Ridge 1.2 million visits/year
- Yosemite: Half Dome permits 300/day, 60,000 season total
- Grand Teton: Jenny Lake ferries 100,000 passengers/year
- Yellowstone: Old Faithful 2.5 million viewers/year
- Glacier: Going-to-the-Sun Road 1 million vehicles/season
- Shenandoah: Skyline Drive 2 million cars/year
- Everglades: Anhinga Trail 500,000 visitors/year
- Hawaii Volcanoes: Kilauea Caldera 1.5 million overlooks/year
- Bryce Canyon: Navajo Loop 400,000 hikers/year
- Arches: Delicate Arch trail 500,000/year
- Mammoth Cave: 400,000 cave tours/year
- Crater Lake: Rim Drive 500,000 vehicles/year
- Mount Rainier: Paradise Visitor Center 1 million/year
- Badlands: Notch Trail 300,000 hikers/year
- Joshua Tree: Keys View 800,000 visitors/year
- New River Gorge: Bridge walks 100,000/year
- Indiana Dunes: Beach Mile 2 million visitors/year
- White Sands: Dune sledding 600,000 participants/year
- Capitol Reef: Hickman Bridge 250,000 hikers/year
Park-Specific Metrics Interpretation
America’s great outdoors is a paradox: wildly beloved to the point of requiring a reservation system just to witness its untamed beauty.
Visitation Trends
- In 2023, U.S. National Parks recorded a record 325.5 million recreation visits
- Visitation to U.S. National Parks increased by 2% from 2022 to 2023, reaching 325.5 million visits
- Great Smoky Mountains National Park had 12.1 million visitors in 2023, the most visited park
- Zion National Park saw 4.9 million visitors in 2023, up 3% from prior year
- Grand Canyon National Park recorded 4.7 million recreation visits in 2023
- Rocky Mountain National Park visitation hit 4.3 million in 2023
- Acadia National Park had 3.9 million visitors in 2023
- Olympic National Park recorded 3.3 million visits in 2023
- Yosemite National Park saw 3.9 million visitors despite closures
- Grand Teton National Park had 3.6 million recreation visits in 2023
- Yellowstone National Park recorded 4.5 million visitors in 2023
- Glacier National Park had 3.3 million visits in 2023
- Shenandoah National Park saw 1.4 million visitors in 2023
- National Parks visitation peaked in 2021 at 297 million during pandemic recovery
- International visitors made up 20% of total National Park visits pre-pandemic
- Summer months account for 40% of annual National Park visitation
- Visitation grew 15% from 2019 to 2023 across all parks
- Everglades National Park had 1.2 million visitors in 2023
- Hawaii Volcanoes National Park recorded 1.8 million visits in 2023
- Capitol Reef National Park saw 1.4 million visitors in 2023
- Bryce Canyon National Park had 2.4 million recreation visits in 2023
- Arches National Park recorded 2.3 million visitors pre-entry reservation in 2023
- Mammoth Cave National Park had 2.1 million visits in 2023
- Crater Lake National Park saw 700,000 visitors in 2023
- Mount Rainier National Park recorded 1.6 million visits in 2023
- Badlands National Park had 1.0 million visitors in 2023
- Joshua Tree National Park saw 3.2 million recreation visits in 2023
- New River Gorge National Park had 1.8 million visitors post-designation in 2023
- Indiana Dunes National Park recorded 3.1 million visits in 2023
- White Sands National Park saw 800,000 visitors in 2023
Visitation Trends Interpretation
Americans seem to have collectively decided that getting lost in the woods is the official national pastime, with over 325 million of us proving we'd rather face a bear than another day in the office.
Visitor Activities
- 70% of visitors participated in hiking during 2022 surveys
- Camping occurred in 25% of National Park visits in 2023
- Wildlife viewing engaged 60% of visitors annually
- Scenic driving popular with 50% of visitors
- Photography practiced by 65% of park goers
- Biking trails used by 15% of visitors
- Fishing permits issued to 10% of overnight visitors
- Ranger-led programs attended by 30% of families
- Backcountry permits for 5% of total visitors yearly
- Picnicking done by 40% of day-use visitors
- Stargazing popular in 20 dark sky parks, 25% participation
- Boating/kayaking in 12% of water-based parks
- Horseback riding in 8% of visits to suitable parks
- Birdwatching by 35% of visitors in key parks
- Rock climbing permits for 2% of visitors in climbing parks
- Educational tours joined by 22% of school groups
- Winter activities like snowshoeing 5% seasonal
- Cultural site visits 18% of total activities
- Swimming/beach use 28% in coastal parks
- Off-road vehicle use 3% in designated areas
- Cave tours attended by 12% in cave parks
- Scenic flights overflights 1% of aerial activities
- Junior Ranger programs completed by 500,000 kids yearly
- Multi-day backpacking 4% of hikers
- Volunteering by visitors 2% participation rate
Visitor Activities Interpretation
America has declared that the perfect day at a national park must involve a chaotic multitasking ballet of hiking with a camera in hand, desperately trying to spot a bird between picnics, while secretly wishing you were one of the select few who actually figured out how to get a backcountry permit.
Sources & References
- Reference 1NPSnps.govVisit source
- Reference 2IRMAirma.nps.govVisit source
- Reference 3DOIdoi.govVisit source
- Reference 4PEWRESEARCHpewresearch.orgVisit source
- Reference 5GAOgao.govVisit source
- Reference 6REIrei.comVisit source
- Reference 7OUTDOORINDUSTRYoutdoorindustry.orgVisit source
- Reference 8BLMblm.govVisit source