News Release
Date: September 4, 2024
Contact: IMR Public Affairs
DENVER, Colo. – The National Park Service (NPS) reports that 7.7 million visitors to Wyoming’s seven national parks spent $1.1 billion in the state in 2023. That spending resulted in 14,522 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $1.4 billion.
“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 NPS 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, visitors to national parks in Wyoming spent $1.1 billion and supported 14,522 jobs in local communities,” said NPS Regional Director Kate Hammond. “Whether it’s science, adventure, history or scenery, Wyoming’s national parks leave the more than 7.7 million visitors marveling. Investments into Wyoming national parks give back to communities and these visitors support the state’s economy.”
The National Park Service finds that visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. Nationwide, this spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 billion 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 enables users to explore visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for national, state, and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available at nps.gov.
To learn more about national parks in Wyoming and how the National Park Service works with Wyoming communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, visit nps.gov.
Last updated: September 6, 2024