Governor Kathy Hochul announced that New York’s state parks, historic sites, campgrounds, and trails reached a record 88.3 million visits in 2024, marking a 5% increase over the previous year’s record. 

This surge reflects the state’s ongoing investment in outdoor recreation, from free swimming initiatives to celebrations marking the 100th anniversary of the state park system.

“This new attendance record is a result of our commitment to expanding opportunities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy safe, healthy recreation, whether it’s through swimming, hiking, camping, or gathering to take in our world-class vistas, beaches and waterfalls,” Governor Hochul said in a press release.

The increase in visits comes after a steady climb in attendance over the past two decades, with a 66% increase. The 2024 milestone marks the 12th consecutive year of growth, driven by several key initiatives.

“We are fortunate that our state parks offer a much-needed break from the addictive digital landscape many are exposed to, and with my ‘Unplug and Play’ strategy, we are going to make sure even more New Yorkers and future generations have access to phenomenal recreational facilities in their state parks and in their own communities,” Hochul added.

One of the significant contributors to the record-breaking attendance was the April 8 total solar eclipse, visible in parts of western New York, the Finger Lakes, and the Adirondacks. Governor Hochul was among 45,000 visitors who gathered at Niagara Falls State Park to view the celestial event, contributing to a surge in tourism from April 6-9.

In addition, Governor Hochul’s decision to remove swimming pool entry fees for the summer of 2024 helped boost visitation. By Labor Day, State Parks reported a 36% increase in pool attendance, with more than 542,000 visitors. 

Furthermore, 22 facilities offered free swimming lessons, tripling the number of available lessons from previous years, and over 2,000 students learned to swim.

State Parks Commissioner Pro Tempore Randy Simons expressed pride in the achievement, attributing it to the hard work of the parks team and the continued support for outdoor recreation. 

“State Parks is one of the most admired parks systems in the world, welcoming many millions more visitors than ever before to unplug and play! We look forward to working with partners around the state to keep the momentum going,” Simons said.

Senator José Serrano also lauded the record attendance, emphasizing the physical and mental health benefits of spending time in nature. He thanked Governor Hochul and Commissioner Simons for their commitment to enhancing access to outdoor spaces for New Yorkers. 

“I look forward to working together to help connect more people to the great outdoors in the coming years,” Serrano said.