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Ninety Six, SC – The National Park Service announced that 400 national parks reported a total of 325.5 million visits in 2023, an increase of 13 million or 4% over 2022. At Ninety Six National Historic Site, record visitation coincided with the Park’s efforts to offer more variety in programming and special events while increasing partnerships and outreach efforts.
The 1,022-acre home of the Star Fort continued traditional interpretation and education efforts while also taking advantage of the site’s abundant natural and recreational resources.
“We were intentional about offering a variety of ways for people to experience the park,” explained Superintendent Joshua Manley. “Reasons for visiting the site vary, as do learning styles and interests.”
Volunteers and living historians played a huge role in the park’s success. They helped bring back the Autumn Candlelight Tour for a second consecutive year along with putting on two annual events. Others supported new history and science summer camps that provided STEAM learning opportunities and fun for students. Some led bird watching programs and spider walks.
The site also embraced being a destination for those seeking outdoor and recreation opportunities. Multiple local high school cross country races were hosted at the park. A community picnic and hike day introduced visitors to the site’s 10+ miles of trails.
Numerous partners stepped up to support the return of the Star Fort Pond Fishing Rodeo after nearly a decade-long absence, and an inaugural fishing clinic at the 27-acre fishing lake. Other partners helped put on events such as Fall Art in the Park.
These and more efforts contributed to a record 118,207 visitors in 2023.
National Park Service visitation reports
Visitation figures and trends guide how the National Park Service manages parks to ensure the best experience possible for park visitors. The NPS Visitor Statistics Dashboard provides recreational visit statistics for every park in the US for 2023 and also for previous years, dating back to 1979 for some parks. There are 428 parks in the National Park System, and 400 parks counted visitors in 2023. For the first time, there are now parks reporting their visitation numbers from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and four US territories. Five national parks began reporting in 2023, and this is the first year a park from Delaware is included.
About the National Park Service: More than 20,000 National Park Service employees care for America's 429 national parks and work with communities across the nation to help preserve local history and create close-to-home recreational opportunities. Learn more at www.nps.gov, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
Last updated: February 23, 2024