Tourism to southern Idaho national parks contributes $23 million to local economy

News Release Date:
September 10, 2024

Contact:Jennifer Jones, 208-340-7188

ARCO, Idaho - A new National Park Service report shows that a combined total of nearly 400,000 visitors to Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve, City of Rocks National Reserve, Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument, and Minidoka National Historic Site in 2023 spent a combined total of nearly $20 million in communities near the parks. That spending supported a combined total of some 250 jobs in the local areas and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of nearly $23 million (see next page for the estimated contributions of each park).

"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."

"People visit the southern Idaho parks to see an otherworldly volcanic landscape, attempt challenging rock climbing routes, explore an area where prehistoric species once roamed, learn about a tragic chapter of American history and engage in all of the other experiences these special places have to offer," said Superintendent Wade Vagias. "Being good neighbors to surrounding communities is a top priority and we're pleased that these parks are providing significant economic benefits for them."

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 billion 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 website.

To learn more about national parks in Idaho and how the National Park Service works with Idaho communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/idaho

Estimated Economic Contributions by Park

Craters of the Moon National Monument & Preserve
Visitors - 258,000
Spending in local gateway regions - $10.3 million
Jobs supported - 136
Cumulative benefit to local economy - $12.1 million

City of Rocks National ReserveVisitors - 92,100
Spending in local gateway regions - $6.2 million
Jobs supported - 81
Cumulative benefit to local economy - $7.3 million

Hagerman Fossil Beds National Monument
Visitors - 33,400
Spending in local gateway regions - $2.2 million
Jobs supported - 31
Cumulative benefit to local economy - $3.1 million

Minidoka National Historic Site
Visitors - 9,060
Spending in local gateway regions - $181,000
Jobs supported - 3
Cumulative benefit to local economy - $195,000

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