State Parks reports 4.2 million visitors in 2025; Sand Harbor reservations adjusted to favor local access
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Summary
Deputy Administrator Jonathan Brunges told the committee Nevada State Parks welcomed an estimated 4.2 million visitors in 2025 and reported $62 million in direct state-dollar visitor impact. He described Sand Harbor's reservation windows and a planned 'day-before' release to improve local access and reduce highway safety risks.
The Nevada Division of State Parks provided an economic and operational update, telling legislators that parks received about 4.2 million visitors in 2025 and that visitor spending produced distinct, park-specific economic effects in smaller counties.
"In 2025, we welcomed 4,200,000 visitors into our state parks," Deputy Administrator Jonathan Brunges said, adding that about 54% of statewide visitation were nonresidents and that visitation to border parks is often 70–75% out-of-state visitors. Brunges said the division's economic partner computed roughly $62 million in "new state dollars"—that is, spending attributable to a park visit rather than broader trip expenditures.
A major operational focus was Sand Harbor’s reservation system. Brunges explained the release cadence—blocks open at 90, 30, and 7 days out—and said the division will add a final 'day-before' release to help locals secure spots. He said the system reduces dangerous highway queuing that previously occurred when visitors arrived very early to hold places in line. The division also maintains a first-come, first-served window at 10:30 a.m. if reserved patrons do not arrive, and continues to accommodate library day passes and shuttle/parking options for locals.
Brunges also described accessibility investments (ADA trails and a tracked chair program) and volunteer stewardship projects funded in part by private grants and MGM Resorts volunteer days. He invited follow-up questions about reservation data and library-day-pass usage.
Why it matters: parks visitation and reservation policy influence local economies, public safety on access corridors and equity of access for residents versus tourists. The planned day-before release is a direct operational change intended to increase local access without changing statutory tax or fee structures.
Next steps: State Parks will implement the day-before release, shorten the reservation season window to peak months, and continue to monitor no-show rates and the effect on local user access.