National Park Service directs staff not to publicize 2024 visitation data

National Park Service directs staff not to publicize newly released 2024 visitation data, despite setting new visitation record by almost 1 million visits

Final 2024 visitation data from all 433 sites across the National Park Service (NPS) was published on March 5, 2025. However, in a departure from the norm, the NPS issued internal guidance including a statement that it will not be issuing a press release or conducting any public communications about the data. The NPS directed individual park units to “not issue a press release or other proactive communications, including social media posts” about the data either.

Park sites recorded over 331 million recreation visits in 2024, a new all-time high by about one million visits. The previous high was set in 2016, the NPS centennial year. 36 NPS sites recorded their highest-ever visitation last year.

At the same time, 1,000 probationary employees were fired last month and have not been reinstated, despite a federal court ruling finding the firings illegal. At least 700 employees have taken the deferred resignation (“fork”) to option. Phase 1 Reduction in Force plans are due on March 13, despite the NPS being critically understaffed even before the recent cuts.

This leaves national parks critically understaffed as they approach the busiest time of year, despite being more popular than ever.

Organizers do not represent the National Park Service or Department of the Interior. Views and attitudes expressed in this News Release do not reflect views and attitudes of the National Park Service or Department of the Interior.