The number of visits to the state's national parks is topping more than 60 million for the first time, generating as much as $21.35 billion in spending.

Energy and Environment Minister Matt Kean said the visitation figures to the 870 parks had increased by 16 per cent in 2018 from two years earlier.

Matt Kean, the NSW Energy and Environment Minister, at Bobbin Head in the Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park. The park was the third-most visited of the state's national parks in 2018. Credit:Janie Barrett

The pace, though, was slower than the 31 per cent expansion of visitation numbers between 2014 and 2016.

The government hopes $149.5 million worth of construction projects will foster further growth than the 60.23 million visits last year by renewing walking tracks, aiding access and improving the overall experience.