The national parks that could soon close in a federal government shutdown contribute billions of dollars to local economies, according to a new National Park Service assessment.
The park service concludes that in 2024 visitors spent $29 billion in communities near national parks. This spending provided an estimated $18.8 billion in labor income, with lodging and restaurants accounting for a major share of the total park-related economic activity.
“National parks deliver a clear economic return — supporting communities, driving tourism, and strengthening local economies in every state,” Kevin Lilly, the acting assistant Interior secretary for fish and wildlife and parks, said in a statement.
Lilly added that park visits deepen Americans’ connections to the nation’s history and heritage and help “sustain the communities and economy that benefit from these treasured places.”
