Utah's national parks rank top 10 in visitor spending

Utah's national parks rank top 10 in visitor spending

(Chuck Wing/Deseret News)


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SALT LAKE CITY — Visitors to the country's national parks pumped nearly $16 billion into the economy in 2014, with Utah among the top 10 states for generating that infusion of cash.

A new report shows that park visitors spent about $730 million in Utah last year, funneling dollars for transportation, lodging, restaurants and camping expenses.

The spending sharply eclipsed 2013 figures — by $134 million — and is $116 million more than what was spent in 2012.

The numbers are from a new National Park Service report that includes an economic analysis that was peer reviewed by a pair of U.S. Geological Survey economists as well as an economist that works for the park service.

Utah ranks No. 7 among the 10 best revenue contributors, ahead of Washington, D.C., Florida and New York and nearly even with Wyoming in sixth place.

California grabbed first place honors among the states, with visitors spending $1.7 billion. Alaska and North Carolina rounded out the top three.

Aside from the direct spending, the analysis shows the expenditures in Utah supported 12,600 jobs, $377 million in labor income and, overall, contributed $1.1 billion to the state's economy.

As the economy continues to shrug off the effects of the Great Recession, tourism is making hefty gains for national parks.

At Bryce Canyon, visitation was up more than 9 percent in 2014 over the year before, a jump that park superintendent Lisa Eckert attributes in part to the state's "Mighty Five" campaign.


We appreciate the partnership and support of all our gateway communities, and are glad to be able to contribute to the economic health of our neighbors by supporting over 700 local jobs.

–Paul Roelandt


“The numbers show that our Mighty Five national parks and eight other national park units are bucket list destinations for people from all over the world," said Vicki Varela, managing director of the Utah Office of Tourism.

"We are lucky that Mother Nature played favorites with our iconic landscapes, creating an amazing quality of life for Utahns. And we turn it to our state’s economic advantage. Tourists spent $7.4 billion here last year, generating more than $1 billion in state and local tax revenues.”

Last year, Zion National Park broke records again, drawing 3.2 million visitors.

Park directors credit their partnership with local communities for helping to make the visitor experience a success.

"We could not serve all these visitors and provide such great experiences without local support,” said Paul Roelandt, Cedar Breaks superintendent. “In addition to the year-round educational and recreational opportunities available at the park, our visitors need places to stay, eat and shop. Some also need equipment and services that we cannot provide. We appreciate the partnership and support of all our gateway communities, and are glad to be able to contribute to the economic health of our neighbors by supporting over 700 local jobs.”

Spending from Arches National Park was up more than $26 million from 2013 to 2014, and Glen Canyon National Recreation Area had an increase of more than $36 million from its water-loving visitors, according to the report.

The numbers show that even the smaller parks are making significant economic contributions, with the historical Pipe Spring National Monument inside the Kaibab Paiute Indian Reservation in northern Arizona generating $3 million for the reservation, Kanab and Fredonia, Arizona.

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