Tourists to California's 28 national parks, which range from the fog-laced redwoods in the north to the desert expanses in the south, spent a striking $3.2 billion in 2023. This financial boost has supported nearly 40,000 jobs and contributed a cumulative $5.1 billion to the state's economic vitality, according to recent numbers from the National Park Service.
The impact is more than just monetary; with more than 300 million visitors annually nationwide, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams expressed his pride in the dual influence of the parks, stating, "I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year," as per the National Park Service. However, he was equally enthused to see those visitors making positive impacts by supporting local economies and jobs in every state in the country. California's share of those numbers is significant, with the state's park tourism bolstering an already dynamic state economy.
The largesse of the California parks is matched by their variety, drawing adventurers and leisure-seekers alike to experience myriad natural, historical, and cultural offerings. David Szymanski, regional director for the National Park Service’s Pacific West parks, invites explorers to explore as many parks here as you can and the equally diverse and welcoming communities around them, further illustrating the symbiotic relationship between the parks and the surrounding areas. California's plethora of national parks serve as treasured sanctuaries of wilderness and history and as engines for the local economies they own.
Nationally, communities near national parks have also enjoyed considerable economic perks from tourism, with visitor spending amounting to $26.4 billion. According to the National Park Service's findings, this influx of cash has provided a lifeline, fostering 415,400 jobs and generating $55.6 billion in economic output across the country. The lodging sector topped this economic uptick with a $9.9 billion contribution, and not to be outdone, restaurants saw a tasty $5.2 billion in economic output. Visitors looking to extend their trips also provide a boon to the businesses that accommodate and feed them.
