JACKSON, Wyo. — Visitors to national parks spent a total of $26.4 billion in surrounding communities in 2023, according to a new report from the National Park Service (NPS).
The newly released Visitor Spending Effects report details spending in communities near national parks last year. In 2023, NPS saw a total of 325,498,646 recreation visits. The boost to local economies from tourism in the parks was estimated at 415,400 jobs, $19.4 billion in labor income and $32 billion in value added.
“Visitors to NPS sites spend money in local gateway regions, and these expenditures generate and support economic activity within these local economies,” read the report.
Lodging was the category that saw the most spending, at $9.9 billion, followed by restaurants, which saw $5.15 billion in dollars spent, and gas, on which area visitors spent $2.79 billion.
For communities around Yellowstone National Park, 4,501,382 recreation visits to the park produced $623.3 million spent, with a contribution of 8,561 jobs and $451.8 million in value added. For Grand Teton National Park (GTNP), 3,416,106 visits produced $738 million in spending in gateway communities, with 9,369 jobs added and a value add of $541.8 million.
“This report illustrates the significant economic benefits national parks provide to nearby communities and the U.S. economy, and the value of our work to safeguard these public lands in the wake of the climate crisis, upgrade visitor experiences and invest in park infrastructure and staff,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland in a statement.
The National Park System includes 429 areas covering more than 85 million acres. Of these, 400 received visitors in 2023.
The peer-reviewed spending report is compiled by NPS economists.
