News Release
Photo by NPS
Subscribe
 |
What is RSS
|
SAN FRANCISCO—In 2020, more than 17.7 million visitors visited Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Point Reyes National Seashore, and San Francisco Maritime National Historic Park.
Across the country, more than 237 million people visited national parks last year. Visitation at most parks decreased when compared to 2019 figures, likely as a result of temporary park closures and restrictions first implemented in early 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Golden Gate NRA saw more than 12.4 million visitors in 2020. The park is the second most-visited site in the National Park System behind Blue Ridge Parkway which received more than 14.1 million visitors.
Golden Gate NRA is managed alongside two other park units: Muir Woods National Monument and Fort Point National Historic Site. While most areas of Golden Gate NRA remained open throughout 2020, these two units were temporarily closed early in the year.
Muir Woods NM reopened in June 2020. Fort Point NHS is expected to reopen in mid-March alongside Alcatraz Island, another popular Bay Area destination which is part of Golden Gate NRA.
2020 by the numbers:
-
Golden Gate National Recreation Area — 12,400,045
-
Muir Woods National Monument — 324,232
-
Fort Point National Historic Site — 884,538
-
Point Reyes National Seashore — 2,252,424
-
San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park — 1,936,101
“Visits to parks and open spaces this past year have demonstrated how important nature and the outdoors are in ensuring our physical and mental well-being," said Laura E. Joss, Superintendent for Golden Gate National Recreation Area. "Our dedicated staff and partners have worked hard to provide outdoor opportunities that refresh and invigorate everyone. We are all proud to provide these experiences for our Bay Area communities during this difficult time."
For an in-depth look at 2020 visitation statistics, please visit the National Park Service Social Science website. For national summaries and individual park figures, please visit the National Park Service Visitor Use Statistics website.
In 2019, national park visitor spending contributed more than $41.7 billion to the U.S. economy. In the communities surrounding Golden Gate NRA, Muir Woods NM, and Fort Point NHS, this spending supported 12,513 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $1.6 billion, according to last year’s National Park Service Visitor Spending Effects report. The 2020 report on the economic benefits from visitor spending is expected later this year.
To learn more about national parks in California and how the National Park Service works with California communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/california.
Visit our websites for more information about Golden Gate National Recreation Area, Muir Woods National Monument, Fort Point National Historic Site, Point Reyes National Seashore, or San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.
Last updated: February 26, 2021