National park visitors spent $1.6 billion in Utah last year

Delicate Arch at Arches National Park. Photo: Parker Malatesta

The National Park Service (NPS) released data this month showing that visitor spending in communities near national parks in 2021 generated $42.5 billion and supported 322,600 mostly local jobs.

15.8 million people visited national parks in Utah last year, which resulted in roughly $1.6 billion in spending. That’s the highest mark ever for the state, according to recent NPS reports. $1.2 billion was recorded in pre-Covid 2019.

Utah ranks behind only California and North Carolina for park-related economic activity.

Breakdown by park:

Zion National Park: $667 million

Glen Canyon National Recreation Area: $332 million

Arches: $237 million

Bryce Canyon: $195 million

Capitol Reef: $113 million

Canyonlands: $62.9 million

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“Nature is essential to the health, well-being and prosperity of every family and community in America, as well as to the local economies of gateway communities that support our national parks,” said Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland.

“As we continue to welcome families to our parks and public lands across the country, the Interior Department is committed to making investments in our lands and waters that will support tens of thousands of jobs, safeguard the environment, and help ensure that national parks and public lands are ready to meet the challenges of climate change and increased visitation.”