Number of visitors to Yosemite National Park in the U.S. 2008-2023

In 2023, Yosemite National Park welcomed a total of 3.9 million visitors. This was an increase from the previous year when the park had 3.67 million visitors. However, the 2023 figure was still lower than the visitation rates experienced before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, when over four million visitors passed through Yosemite's gates between 2015 and 2019. 

Yosemite National Park

Yosemite National Park is a large national forest located in central California. It was founded in 1864 and boasts over 1,200 square miles of vast wilderness, glaciers and winter sports. The park is known for the famous El Capitan rock formation that is popular among climbers around the world. Yosemite is among the most visited national parks in the U.S. with other big names such as Great Smoky Mountains National Park and Zion National Park. Looking at attendance at park attractions and similar sites in the United States, national parks attracted the largest number of visitors in 2021.

Climbing and Hiking in the U.S.

Rock climbing and hiking is a popular past time at parks like Yosemite. Hiking and climbing have been increasing in popularity across the United States. In 2021, the number of people participating in hiking in the U.S. reached an all-time high of 57.81 million individuals. In 2021, running, jogging, and trail running was the only outdoor activity more popular than hiking in the U.S..