News Release

Palo Alto Battlefield NHP Visitor Spending

NPS Photo

News Release Date: September 6, 2024

Contact: Daniel Ibarra, [phone] ext. 324

A new National Park Service report shows that 160,450 visitors to Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park in 2023 spent $10.7 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 162 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $14.2 million.

“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.”

"Visitors come to Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park to explore the history of the U.S.-Mexican War and enjoy the park’s scenic trails and diverse wildlife. These visits also contribute to the local economies," said Acting Superintendent Joe Roberts. "We’re proud that Palo Alto Battlefield National Historical Park supports approximately 162 jobs and generates around $14.2 million in revenue benefit for nearby 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 Social Science website.

To learn more about national parks in Texas and how the National Park Service works with Texas communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to NPS Texas parks page.