The National Park Service (NPS) recently released a report detailing the annual economic impact national parks had on the state and national levels. According to the report, visitor spending in communities surrounding national parks generated a record $55.6 billion in economic benefits and supported 415,400 jobs across the United States., which is up from $50.3 billion and 378,000 jobs in 2022.

 
Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland stated, "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."

In 2023, a total of 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in gateway communities near national parks. This spending not only supported jobs but also provided $19.4 billion in labor income. The lodging sector saw the highest contributions, with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs, followed by restaurants, which generated $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.

NPS Director Chuck Sams highlighted the dual impact of national parks, noting, "I'm so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year. And I'm just as proud to see those visitors making positive impacts of their own, by supporting local economies and jobs in every state in the country."
On the state level, California experienced the greatest economic impact from National Parks visitor spending of $3.7 billion and 63,000 supported jobs, followed by Florida with $2.8 billion and 46,000 jobs and North Carolina with $2.2 billion and 34,000 jobs.

https://www.nps.gov/nature/customcf/NPS_Data_Visualization/docs/NPS_2023_Visitor_Spending_Effects.pdf