More New Zealanders than ever are expected to head into the great outdoors this summer

The Government's targeting an extra 3.5 million dollars into popular sites - to help the Department of Conservation keep toilets, tracks, huts and campsites up to scratch.

Bookings for most DOC Great Walks are up 23 per cent - 93 per cent of them from Kiwis.

Conservation Minister Kiri Allan says the numbers won't make up for the loss of international visitors.

But she says the money will support people, regions and rural communities through the crisis.