News Release

Golden Gate National Recreation Area Remains the Most-Visited Site in the National Park System

Date: February 28, 2020

Aerial view of fog swept Golden Gate Bridge and Marin Headlands

Robert Campbell

SAN FRANCISCO – In 2019, more than 23.5 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. Visitation to the 419 national parks in 2019 exceeded 300 million recreation visits for the fifth consecutive year. The 327.5 million total is the third highest since record keeping began in 1904. 

Golden Gate National Recreation Area hosted over 15 million visitors. Golden Gate National Recreation Area remained the most-visited site in the National Park System ahead of the Blue Ridge Parkway.  

2019 by the numbers: 

• Golden Gate National Recreation Area 15,002,227 

• Muir Woods National Monument 812,073 

• Fort Point National Historic Site 1,421,349 

• Point Reyes National Seashore 2,265,301 

• San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park 4,016,598 

"We are thrilled to provide an exceptional national park experience to our communities and visitors from all around the world," said Charles Strickfaden, Communications Director for Golden Gate National Recreation Area."Our talented National Park Service staff, concessionaires, non-profit partners and community businesses are committed to providing a wide range of services for visitors from all over the world.” 

"Your Bay Area parks, including our sister parks at Point Reyes National Seashore and San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park, provide recreation, relaxation, and inspiration for Bay Area residents and international visitors alike. We thank our communities for their support in 2019.” 

For an in-depth look at 2019 visitation statistics, including individual park figures, please visit the National Park Service Social Science website.  

In 2018, national park visitor spending contributed more than $40 billion to the U.S. economy. Locally, this spending supported 12,658 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 2019 report on the economic benefits from visitor spending is expected later this spring. 

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.