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If it seems as though national parks are getting more crowded, it's more than just an illusion.

The National Park Service released unofficial figures Thursday saying that more than 305 million people visited in 2015, eclipsing the all-time visitation record set in 2014.

Those numbers could go even higher in 2016 due to major interest in the parks due to the centennial celebration of the forming of the park service.

"The increasing popularity of our national parks comes as we are actively reaching out to new audiences and inviting them to explore the depth and breadth of the national park system," said National Park Service director Jonathan B. Jarvis. "The 409 parks we care for preserve natural, cultural and historic landscapes across 84 million acres in all 50 states, the District of Columbia and U.S. Territories, and they tell stories that reflect the great diversity of our nation." 

Jarvis said the record visitation tests the capacity of the park system. He said managers are adjusting to make sure they have sufficient staff to provide interpretive programs, answer visitor questions, respond to emergencies and to keep restrooms, campgrounds and other facilities clean.

Park officials tell visitors to plan their trips to avoid peak crowds by visiting the most popular parks in spring and fall or by visiting early in the morning or later in the day. Visitors can also take advantage of shuttles and walking trails at some parks.

The agency plans to take advantage of a nine percent funding increase passed by Congress to account for expected visitation increases.

According to a park service release, the NPS recorded more than 305 million visits in 2015, an increase of 12 million vista and more than four percent over 2014. About 365 of the 409 parks in the system record visitation numbers. Individual park figures will be released in February.