The National Park Service reports that 10.5 million visitors to national parks in Tennessee spent $1.4 billion in the state in 2023. That spending resulted in 20,021 jobs and had a cumulative benefit to the state economy of $2.2 billion.
“I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said. “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.”
“In 2023, visitors to national parks in Tennessee spent $1.4 billion and supported 20,021 jobs in local communities,” said Mark Foust, regional director for Southeast parks. “Parks reflect the diversity of our country's shared heritage and offer unique experiences, for learning, recreation, inspiration, and fun. Visitors come to parks for a variety of experiences and their spending supports the economies of gateway communities.”
There are 13 national parks in Tennessee. The National Park Service finds that visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. Nationwide, 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 enables users to explore visitor spending, jobs, labor income, value added, and output effects by sector for national, state, and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available at nps.gov.
To learn more about national parks in Tennessee and how the National Park Service works with Tennessee communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, visit nps.gov.