BOULDER CITY, Nevada - A new National Park Service report shows that in 2014, nearly 7 million Lake Mead National Recreation Area visitors spent $290 million in communities near the park. That spending supported nearly 4,000 local jobs.
Lake Mead National Recreation Area is the sixth most visited unit of the National Park Service and ranked among the top 10 in visitor spending compared to the National Park Service’s 407 units. Since 2012, visitation at Lake Mead NRA has increased about 10 percent, and visitor spending has increased 15 percent.
“We are delighted to see this increase and to share the story of Lake Mead National Recreation Area and the experiences it provides to visitors from across the country and around the world," said Superintendent Patrick Gubbins.
“National park tourism is a significant driver in the national economy, returning $10 for every $1 invested in the National Park Service, and it’s a big factor in our local economy, as well. We appreciate the partnership and support of our neighbors and are glad to be able to give back by helping to sustain local communities," he said.
Nationwide, the report shows $15.7 billion of direct spending by 292.8 million park visitors in communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 277,000 jobs nationally; 235,600 of those jobs are found in these gateway communities. The cumulative benefit to the U.S. economy was $29.7 billion.
According to the 2014 report, most park visitor spending was for lodging (30.6 percent) followed by food and beverages (20.3 percent), gas and oil (11.9 percent), admissions and fees (10.2 percent) and souvenirs and other expenses (9.9 percent).
The peer-reviewed visitor spending analysis was conducted by U.S. Geological Survey economists Catherine Cullinane Thomas and Christopher Huber and National Park Service economist Lynne Koontz.
The report includes information for visitor spending at individual parks and by state. To download the report visit https://www.nature.nps.gov/socialscience/economics.cfm
To learn more about national parks in Nevada and Arizona and how the National Park Service works with local communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment and provide outdoor recreation, visit www.nps.gov/nv and www.nps.gov/az.
Visitor spending in units of the National Park System (2014)
Blue Ridge Parkway: $863 million
Great Smoky Mountains National Park: $806 million
Denali National Park and Preserve: $524 million
Grand Canyon National Park: $509 million
Grand Teton National Park: $489 million
Yellowstone National Park: $421 million
Yosemite National Park: $405 million
Golden Gate National Recreation Area: $357 million
Lake Mead National Recreation Area: $290 million
Olympic National Park: $264 million
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Source: U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service
