GLEN JEAN, W.Va. — The National Park Service says a new report indicates the three National Park Service units in southern West Virginia saw another dramatic increase during 2024.
According to a Park Service press release the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, Bluestone National Scenic River, and Gauley River National Recreation Area had 2,080,330 visitors in 2024. Those visitors spent more than $108.3 Million dollars in the surrounding counties during their stay. Officials say that’s a 12-percent increase in spending over 2023.
“Our visitation has increased steadily since redesignation,” said Acting Superintendent Eric LaPrice. “Alongside the rise in visitation, we’ve witnessed a parallel surge in spending across gateway communities surrounding all three national park sites.”
The National Park Service report, 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that visitors spent $29 billion in communities near national parks. This spending provided $18.8 billion in labor income and $56.3 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $11.1 billion in economic output. Restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.7 billion in economic output.