State's national parks set attendance record

Despite controversy, California's nine parks - including Death Valley and Joshua Tree - drew nearly 12 million visits in 2025

- JACK DOLAN

ERIC THAYER Los Angeles Times JOHN MOISES, left, and Shawn Michael at the bottom of a waterfall at Yosemite National Park.

Despite morale-sapping staff layoffs, bizarre executive orders and a 43-day federal government shutdown last fall, the grandeur and serenity of national parks in California remain irresistible to outdoors lovers looking to unwind.

The nine national parks in the Golden State - including Yosemite, Death Valley and Joshua Tree-attracted nearly 12 million recreational visits in 2025, according to statistics from the National Park Service.

That's up more than 800,000 visits from 2024 and up more than 300,000 from the previous record set in 2019, according to the data, which stretch back to 1979.

Nationally, visits were high, at 323 million, but down a couple of percentage points from the record set in 2024, according to a park service press release.

"America's national parks continue to be places where people come to experience our country's history, landscapes and shared heritage," said Jessica Bowron, acting director of the agency.

"We are committed to keeping parks open, accessible and well-managed so visitors can safely enjoy these extraordinary places today and for generations to come," Bowron added.

President Trump's critics beg to differ.