NEW YORK (WENY) -- New York released the park visitation numbers for state parks in 2023, and a local park fell just outside of the top 10. Watkins Glen State Park came in at 11 for the whole state with just under 1.4 million visitors, up from roughly 1.2 million in 2023. 

“This new attendance record is a result of our commitment to expanding opportunities for residents and visitors alike to enjoy safe, healthy recreation, whether it’s through swimming, hiking, camping, or gathering to take in our world-class vistas, beaches and waterfalls,” said Governor Kathy Hochul in a prepared statement. 

Other local state parks that saw big jumps include Taughanock Falls in Tompkins County, which went from roughly 700,000 visitors in 2023 to roughly 795,000 visitors for 2024. Newtown Battlefield in Chemung County went up 13,000 visitors to roughly 68,000 visitors for 2024. In Steuben County, Stony Brook State Park went from roughly 52,000 visitors in 2023 to just under 120,000 people in 2024. 

“We are fortunate that our state parks offer a much-needed break from the addictive digital landscape many are exposed to, and with my “Unplug and Play” strategy, we are going to make sure even more New Yorkers and future generations have access to phenomenal recreational facilities in their state parks and in their own communities,” said Hochul in a prepared statement.

The most visited park in the State was Jones Beach in Long Island with roughly 9.5 million visitors. According to the Governor's Office, 2024 statewide attendance was up for a 12th straight year, hitting roughly 88.3 million people, beating the 2023 record by roughly 4 million.