Published May 14, 2025
How many people visit the Gateway National Recreation Area each year?
Each year, 8-9 million people visit the Gateway National Recreation Area.
- In 2019, there were 9,405,622 visitors. Because of the pandemic, numbers reduced to 8,404,728 in 2020.
- In 2022, there were 8,728,291, a 4% increase from 2020.
- In 2024, there were 8,929,035, a 2.6% increase from 2023 (8,705,329) but 5.1% lower than in 2019 (pre-pandemic).
How much do people spend at the Gateway National Recreation Area each year?
Visitors to the Gateway NRA contribute over $250 million annually to the local economy.
- In 2019, $254.95 million (highest recorded revenue).
- In 2020, $229.25 million (because of the pandemic).
- In 2022, $259.27 million.
- In 2023, $262.45 million. A 1.2% increase from 2022 and 2.8% increase from 2019.
Gateway National Recreation Area Visitations in 2025
1,225,460 visitors were reported to visit from January to March 2025.
| Number of Visitors at the Gateway National Recreation Area (2025) | |
|---|---|
| Month | Recreational Visit |
| Jan | 461.88 K |
| Feb | 386.89 K |
| Mar | 376.70 K |
Source · This data is preliminary and subject to change.
How many people visited the Gateway National Recreation Area in 2024?
- In 2024, 8,929,035 visitors were reported at the Gateway NRA, a 2.6% increase from 2023 and 5.1% decrease from 2019 (pre-pandemic).
How many people visit the Gateway National Recreation Area per day?
- The Gateway NRA receives 23,800 visitors daily. More are expected to come during the summer holidays.
How much does it cost to visit the Gateway National Recreation Area?
- The Gateway National Recreation Area does not charge an entrance fee. Visitors may have to obtain permits or book in advance for certain activities and camping arrangements.
When is Gateway National Recreation Area’s peak season?
Gateway NRA’s peak season is Summer.
- The busiest time is from June to August.
- July and August are the highest visitation months. The park receives over 1 million visitors per month.
- The peak season is because of warm weather and summer vacation. High visitation often extends into May and September.
What are the best months for visiting the Gateway National Recreation Area?
April, May, September and October. For many, these are the best months to visit because the weather is mild and there are fewer visitors than in the summer (peak season).
How popular is the Gateway National Recreation Area?
- Gateway NRA was ranked the 4th most visited national park site in the USA in 2024.
- It is also the most visited urban national recreation area in the U.S.
| Top 10 Most Visited Parks in 2024 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Rank | Park | Recreation Visitors |
| 1 | Golden Gate NRA | 17,187,508 |
| 2 | Blue Ridge PKWY | 16,733,639 |
| 3 | Great Smoky Mountains NP | 12,191,834 |
| 4 | Gateway NRA | 8,929,035 |
| 5 | Lincoln Memorial | 8,479,349 |
| 6 | Gulf Islands NS | 7,801,176 |
| 7 | Natchez Trace PKWY | 7,364,833 |
| 8 | George Washington MEM PKWY | 6,782,717 |
| 9 | Lake Mead NRA | 6,412,854 |
| 10 | Vietnam Veterans MEM | 5,295,711 |
Why do people visit the Gateway National Recreation Area?
Popular attractions in the area include:
- Sandy Hook, NJ – Beaches, lighthouse and Fort Hancock.
- Floyd Bennett Field, NY – Historic aviation site and camping.
- Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, NY – Hiking and birdwatching.
- Breezy Point, NY – Popular beach and fishing spot.
Other Resources
- Blue Ridge Parkway Tourism Statistics
- Castle Clinton National Monument Tourism Statistics
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Tourism Statistics
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park Tourism Statistics
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Tourism Statistics
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Tourism Statistics
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Tourism Statistics
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area Tourism Statistics
- Independence National Historical Park Tourism Statistics
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Tourism Statistics
- Natchez Trace Parkway Tourism Statistics
- World War II Memorial Tourism Statistics
Gateway National Recreation Area Camping Statistics
- 2,891 Tent campers stayed overnight at the Gateway National Recreation Area in 2024. Other types of camping were not recorded.
- Learn more about Global Camping Statistics here
What are the most common causes of visitor deaths at the Gateway NRA?
Between 2007 and August 2024, 77 deaths were recorded at the Gateway National Recreation Area. The most common were due to:
- Drowning: 24 deaths.
- Suicide: 17 deaths.
- Undetermined: 11 deaths.
- Medical (during activity): 8 deaths.
- Medical (not during activity): 5 deaths.
- Motor Vehicle Crashes: 3 deaths.
- Poisoning: 3 deaths.
- Medical (unknown cause): 2 deaths.
- Other causes: 2 deaths.
- Environmental factors: 1 death.
- Homicide: 1 death.
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References
- National Park Visitation Statistics · irma.nps.gov
