New report describes economic impacts of national parks

A new National Park Service report shows that the 4.2 million visitors to national parks in Montana spent $397.3 million last year and supported 6,354 jobs in the state.

“This new report confirms that national park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service,” NPS Intermountain Region director Sue Masica said. “This reality makes parks tourism an important factor in Montana’s economy as well. It’s a result we all can support.”

Montana’s five national parks include Glacier National Park, part of Yellowstone National Park, Little Bighorn Battlefield National Monument, Grant-Kohrs Ranch National Historic Site, and Bighorn Canyon National Recreation Area.

The peer-reviewed NPS visitor-spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Thomas, Christopher Huber and Lynne Koontz.

 In 2012, about 170,000 more people visited Montana’s national parks than in 2013, spending more and supporting more jobs in the state. The authors say the 16-day government shutdown in October 2013 accounted for most of the national decline in park visitation in 2013. The economists also cited inflation adjustments for differences between visitation and visitor spending, jobs supported and the overall effect on the U.S. economy.

Most park visitor spending nationwide goes for lodging (30.3 percent), followed by food and beverages (27.3 percent), gas and oil (12.1 percent), and admissions and fees (10.3 percent). Souvenirs and other expenses accounted for the remaining 10 percent. The largest jobs categories supported by visitor spending nationwide were restaurants and bars (50,000 jobs) and lodging (38,000 jobs).

To read the report, visit online at www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/economics.cfm.