Wyoming State Parks Surpass 5 Million Visitors in 2025, Setting New Records

Wyoming State Parks welcomed more than 5 million visitors in 2025, marking a 5% increase over the previous year and the highest visitation level since the pandemic-era recreation surge of 2020-21, the agency announced Tuesday.

The system-wide total of 5,048,419 visitors reaffirms Wyoming’s standing as a premier destination for outdoor recreation, history and culture, according to a state parks release.

Hot Springs State Park led the way with over 1.2 million visitors. Curt Gowdy State Park recorded nearly 600,000 visits—the second-highest total in that park’s history.

“Surpassing five million visitors is a testament to the vital role our parks, historic sites, and recreation areas play in Wyoming’s communities,” said Dave Glenn, director of Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources. “Whether it is local families escaping for a weekend at Glendo or international travelers stopping at Buffalo Bill on their way to Yellowstone, these sites are essential to our state’s quality of life and economic resilience.”

Wyoming residents accounted for 53% of all reserved nights. Out-of-state visitors, particularly from Colorado’s Front Range and travelers bound for national parks, also contributed significantly to system revenue and operations.

The agency highlighted its expanding educational efforts. In 2025, state parks offered 552 interpretive programs, special events and outreach activities—including 329 interpretive programs, 176 events and 47 community tabling efforts. Staff led 169 field trips for 11,780 students across Wyoming, collaborating with more than 50 partner organizations on topics ranging from birding and wildflower hikes to history demonstrations, geology talks and kayak programs.

The interpretive services program, launched in 2021 with a single position, has grown to include five year-round Interpretive Rangers and a corps of seasonal interpreters. Dozens of other park staff—superintendents, maintenance technicians, fee collectors, law enforcement and volunteers—also contribute to education efforts.