WYOMING — It was an extra-busy year for Wyoming’s state parks, according to a new report by Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources.
Visitation across state parks and historic sites totaled nearly 5.3 million in 2023, their second-largest year ever. About 54,000 more visitors were recorded in 2023 than in 2022. Last year was surpassed only by the pandemic-related boom in 2021.
“Wyoming’s outdoor recreation and tourism economies continue to play a critical role in the state’s economic vitality and quality of life of our residents and visitors,” Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation Manager Patrick Harrington said in a statement. “We are fortunate to live in a state that recognizes these benefits and that continues to inspire folks from around the world to experience and enjoy Wyoming’s great outdoors.”
In 2023, nine of the 15 state parks saw an increase in visitation, along with 13 of the 16 historic sites. Hot Springs Park was the most visited site overall, logging 1.5 million visitors. The Quebec 01 Missile Alert Facility, which opened in 2019 and is the newest of the state’s historic sites, saw a 37% increase in visitors last year.
In its report, State Parks and Cultural Resources attributed the steady rise in visitation to popular recreational and educational programming in the parks.
“These programs, ranging from hikes to bird and wildlife presentations to stargazing events, and many others, continue to draw both local and out-of-state visitors to the parks,” the office said in a statement.
