Published May 14, 2025
How many people visit the Golden Gate National Recreation Area each year?
Over 15 million visitors come to Golden Gate National Recreation Area annually. It is one of the most visited sites in the US National Park System.
- 17,187,508 visitors in 2024, up 9.9% from 15,638,911 in 2022.
- 14,953,882 visitors in 2023, down 4.4% from 2022.
- 15,002,227 visitors in 2019 (pre-pandemic), 12,400,045 in 2020 (during the pandemic), and 13,712,614 in 2021.
How many people visit the Golden Gate Bridge each year?
Every year, over 10 million people visit the Golden Gate Bridge.
- At the end of June 2024, Southbound traffic data showed 16.7 million crossings for the Golden Gate Bridge.
- Note: This is total traffic, including locals and repeat crossings.
- 23.7 million visitors were recorded in San Francisco in 2024, many of whom visited the Golden Gate Bridge.
Golden Gate National Recreation Area Visitor Spending
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area contributes $1 billion in annual tourism revenue for the local economy.
- In 2023, visitors spent $1.51 billion, a 37.4% increase from $1.10 billion in 2022.
- Visitors spent $1.04 billion in 2019 pre-pandemic. Because of the pandemic, revenue fell to $684 million in 2020 then recovered to $862 million in 2021.
Number of Visitors at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 2025
- From January to March of 2025, 3.31 million people visited the Golden Gate National Recreation Area.
| Number of Visitors at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area (2025) | |
|---|---|
| Month | Recreational Visit |
| Jan | 1.06 M |
| Feb | 1.01 M |
| Mar | 1.24 M |
Source · This data is preliminary and subject to change.
How many people visited the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 2024?
- 17,187,508 people visited the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 2024, a 15.0% increase from 2023 and 14.6% more than 2019.
How many people visit the Golden Gate National Recreation Area per day?
- Over 40,000 people visit the Golden Gate National Recreation Area daily.
How much does it cost to visit the Golden Gate National Recreation Area?
- Visiting the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is free, but some activities and accommodations (like camping or guided tours) may have fees.
When is the Golden Gate National Recreation Area’s peak season?
The peak season at Golden Gate National Recreation Area is late spring, summer, and early fall.
- May through October is when you’ll see the most visitors, with over 1.5 to 1.8 million visitors.
- Good weather for outdoor activities is the main reason for the crowds.
When is the best time to visit the Golden Gate National Recreation Area?
- Spring (March-May): Fewer crowds, mild weather, wildflowers blooming.
- Summer (June-August): Warm weather, high visitation, perfect for outdoor activities.
- Fall (September-November): Mild temperatures, fewer crowds than summer.
- Winter (December-February): Cool, coastal views, smaller crowds.
How popular is the Golden Gate National Recreation Area?
- Golden Gate National Recreation Area is one of the most visited national recreation areas in the US.
- In 2024, it was the #1 most visited park site in the US with 17,187,508 visitors.
Learn more about Parks listed by State here.
| 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 Golden Gate National Recreation Area?
The Golden Gate National Recreation Area is famous for beautiful coast views, historic sites and outdoor fun.
Popular spots are:
- Golden Gate Bridge – Scenic views.
- Alcatraz Island – Guided tours.
- Muir Woods National Monument – Redwoods.
- Marin Headlands – Hiking and coast views.
- Baker Beach – Photography and picnicking.
Camping Statistics for the Golden Gate National Recreation Area in 2024
In 2024, the most common types of camping at the Golden Gate National Recreation Area were:
- Concessionaire Lodging (61,530 campers).
- Tent Camping (4,760 campers).
- Backcountry Camping (1,390 campers).
Other Resources
- Blue Ridge Parkway Tourism Statistics
- Cape Cod National Seashore Tourism Statistics
- Castle Clinton National Monument Tourism Statistics
- Chattahoochee River National Recreation Area Tourism Statistics
- Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area Tourism Statistics
- Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial Tourism Statistics
- George Washington Memorial Parkway Tourism Statistics
- Glen Canyon National Recreation Area Tourism Statistics
- Gulf Islands National Seashore Tourism Statistics
- Independence National Historical Park Tourism Statistics
- Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Tourism Statistics
- Natchez Trace Parkway Tourism Statistics
What are the most common causes of visitor deaths at Golden Gate NRA?
A total of 162 deaths have been recorded in the Golden Gate National Recreation Area from 2007 to August 2024. The leading causes of death in the park are:
- Undetermined causes: 47 cases
- Suicide: 46 cases
- Drowning: 27 cases
- Falls: 12 cases
- Motor vehicle crashes: 6 cases
- Other transportation accidents: 6 cases
- Poisoning: 6 cases
- Medical emergencies (not during physical activity): 4 cases
- Medical emergencies (unknown cause): 4 cases
- Environmental factors: 2 cases
- Medical emergencies (during physical activity): 2 cases
Safety Tips While Visiting the Golden Gate National Recreation Area
Remember to:
- Stay on trails to avoid falls and cliffs.
- Check the weather before you go, fog and wind can reduce visibility.
- Be careful near water as currents are strong and swimming is not recommended.
- Follow park rules so you have a safe and enjoyable visit.
- Inform someone of your plans if hiking alone and carry a charged phone.
RV rental in the USA
- San Francisco RV rental
- RV rental in Alaska
- Atlanta RV rental
- RV rental in California
- RV rental in Colorado
- RV rental in Denver
- Los Angeles RV rental
- New York RV rental
- RV rental in Pittsburgh
- Seattle RV rental
References
- National Park Visitation Statistics · irma.nps.gov
