New York’s state parks, historic sites, campgrounds, and trails hosted a record-breaking 77.1 million visits in 2019, according to a release from the governor’s office. Locally, visits to John Boyd Thacher State Park in the Helderbergs was up 13 percent.

Estimated attendance at sites across the state was up nearly three million visits from 2018, an increase of 4 percent. It reflects an overall increase of 33 percent — or more than 19 million visits annually — since 2011.

Last year, attendance at State Parks campgrounds also reached a record high of 688,369 nights, a 2.4-percent increase over the previous year’s record. Since 2011, total overnight stays at State Parks campgrounds have risen 26 percent.

Also since 2011, the number of campgrounds increased from 65 to 68, with total campsites available increasing from 8,379 to 8,555. The number of full-service cottages — which include amenities like power, kitchen, bath, beds, living room, and outdoor living space — jumped from 50 to 128, and cabins went from 791 to 830. In 2011, there were no yurts available at campgrounds, and now there are 18.

A study of the economic impacts of state parks by the not-for-profit group Parks & Trails New York, based on 2015-16 figures of 67 million visitors, found that drove about $4 billion in spending, supported about 45,000 jobs, and added $2.4 billion to the state's gross domestic product. The study found that every dollar in state spending for parks generated about $9 in sales.

The New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation oversees more than 250 parks, historic sites, recreational trails, golf courses, boat launches and more, which were visited by a record 77.1 million people last year. For more information on any of these recreation areas, call 518-474-0456 or visit www.parks.ny.gov, connect with us on Facebook, or follow on Instagram and Twitter