California National Parks Set Attendance Record Despite Controversy

Visitation to California's national parks reached new highs in 2025, even as the parks faced staffing cuts and political interference.

Mar. 14, 2026 at 10:00am

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Despite morale-sapping staff layoffs, bizarre executive orders, and a federal government shutdown, California's national parks attracted nearly 12 million recreational visits in 2025, setting a new attendance record. Nationally, visits were high at 323 million, though down slightly from the previous year. The Trump administration has faced criticism for slashing the National Park Service workforce and attempting to scrub 'negative' or 'unpatriotic' content from park presentations and signage.

Why it matters

The enduring popularity of California's national parks underscores their importance as natural and cultural treasures, even as the parks face political challenges under the current administration. The record attendance highlights the parks' value to the public, but also raises concerns about the administration's efforts to reshape the parks' messaging and operations.

The details

The nine national parks in California - including Yosemite, Death Valley, and Joshua Tree - attracted nearly 12 million recreational visits in 2025, up from 11.2 million the previous year and surpassing the previous record set in 2019. Nationally, visits totaled 323 million, down slightly from 2024's record. However, the Trump administration has slashed the National Park Service workforce by nearly 25%, buying out or laying off hundreds of rangers, maintenance workers, scientists, and administrative staff. The administration has also ordered the park service to remove any content it deems 'negative,' 'unpatriotic,' or reflecting 'improper partisan ideology,' which has proven challenging at historic sites like Manzanar and Fort Sumter.

  • In 2025, California's national parks attracted nearly 12 million recreational visits.
  • In 2024, California's national parks attracted 11.2 million recreational visits.
  • The previous record for California national park visitation was set in 2019.

The players

National Park Service

The federal agency responsible for managing and protecting the United States' national parks and monuments.

President Trump

The current President of the United States, who has implemented policies that have impacted the operations and messaging of the National Park Service.

Emily Douce

The deputy vice president for government affairs at the National Parks Conservation Association, a nonprofit organization that advocates for the protection of national parks.

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What they’re saying

“This administration is actively erasing the history, science and culture that our national parks protect.”

— Emily Douce, Deputy Vice President for Government Affairs, National Parks Conservation Association

“The enduring popularity of America's national parks is not surprising. What's shocking is this administration's relentless attacks on these places and their caretakers, which threatens their future.”

— Emily Douce, Deputy Vice President for Government Affairs, National Parks Conservation Association

What’s next

The National Park Service is expected to release more detailed attendance data for individual parks in the coming weeks, providing further insight into visitation trends across California's national park system.

The takeaway

Despite political challenges and staffing cuts, California's national parks remain beloved destinations that continue to draw record numbers of visitors. However, the administration's efforts to reshape the parks' messaging and operations raise concerns about the long-term preservation of these natural and cultural treasures.