News Release

2023 Visitor Spending Effects Report for Congaree Released

Date: September 4, 2024
Contact: Jon Manchester, 803-647-3964

HOPKINS, SC – A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that in 2023 a record number 250,114 visitors to Congaree National Park spent approximately $14,881,000 in communities near the park. That spending supported 173 jobs in the local area and contributed nearly $18,000,000 of total economic output to the local economy.

“I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “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.”

“In 2023 Congaree once again set a new park visitation record with over 250,000 annual visitors coming to experience what makes this park a truly unique and extraordinary landscape to explore.” said Superintendent Greg Hauburger. “I am thrilled that the park helps strengthen local economy, supporting almost $15 million of spending in our gateway communities.”  

The National Park Service report, 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. The restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.

An interactive tool is available to explore visitor spending, jobs, labor income, and total economic contribution by sector for national, state, and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available on the NPS website.To learn more about national parks in South Carolina and how the National Park Service works with South Carolina communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to the state’s NPS webpage: South Carolina (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).