Record Attendance at Wisconsin's State Parks

Wednesday, January 6th, 2021 -- 8:02 AM

(WMTV) Wisconsinites looking to recreate and re-energize flocked to the outdoors at record rates in 2020.

The Wisconsin Department Of Natural Resources says an estimated 20,600,000 people visited Wisconsin State Park System properties in 2020, an increase of three million people from 2019.

“People looking for some outlets and places to get out and recreate and kind of a rebirth and re-energizing of people to get outdoors,” says Chris Pedretti, Business Operations Section Chief with the WI Department of Natural Resources.

Sales of annual passes increased by 40% in 2020, likely because day-passes weren’t available for purchase.  Camping also increased by about 6% overall. It’s a smaller jump comparatively, because campsites had to be closed for a few months.

However, the months that campsites were open they were busier than ever.  State park officials have not yet decided what exactly will be done with the additional revenue.

“The additional revenue is great, but we also are self-funded and you know we need that revenue to keep our operations going. There’s a lot of areas throughout the parks, infrastructure and different things that need, you know, attention,” says Pedretti.

It’s already looking like the hike in visitors will continue this year. “We’re seeing an increase in camping reservations for next year. People can reserve 11 months in advance. We’ve also seen a significant increase in our advance pass sales for 2021. Those passes went on sale December 1st for 2021 and our sales figures have been blowing last year’s numbers out of the water so far,” says Pedretti.

The most visited park of 2020 was Devil’s Lake State Park.

Feel free to contact us with questions and/or comments.