MOHAVE COUNTY – Arizona State Parks and Trails continue to provide value for residents and visitors to the Grand Canyon State, according to a recently published study of the economic contribution and impacts of Arizona’s state parks for fiscal year 2020.
Overall, total spending by all visitors to Arizona’s state park is estimated to be $332 million, including spending in and within 50 miles of parks. For the state, through visitor spending in local economies, Arizona’s state parks supported an estimated 4,200 jobs statewide and contributed $272 million to the Gross State Product.
In Mohave County, where parks had the largest economic impact, the parks contributed $83 million in sales along with 945 jobs.
“Arizona’s state parks are second to none,” said Governor Doug Ducey. “In addition to their unbeatable views, recreational activities, and family-friendly opportunities, they have a significant impact on our state economy. People from all across the globe travel to Arizona to enjoy our state parks, resulting in increased economic activity and more jobs for Arizonans.”
The study was conducted in collaboration with the University of Arizona’s Regional Economic Analysis Program and shows that since FY2014, total expenditures by non-local visitors increased over 20%, equaling higher spending overall in the state. The study measures two types of economic effects: county economic impacts and state economic contributions. Both measures are rooted in visitor spending.
Since 2014, there has been a significant increase in overall visits to the parks, along with increased hours of availability and the addition of more park properties. This has increased visitor spending and increased the impact and contribution to the economy of the state. Residents and visitors to the state continue to choose to explore the great outdoors and the incredible beauty, diversity, and opportunity that our parks provide. The full report can be read at AZStateParks.com/publications.
During the COVID-19 crisis, Governor Ducey named Arizona State Parks as an essential state service and helped keep the parks open for people to recreate and enjoy the outdoors in a safe, healthy way. This study shows that in 2020, people spent more time in parks as compared to the pre-pandemic baseline.
Arizona State Parks and Trails ran a contest in early 2021, asking visitors to write about how the parks helped them during the pandemic. The responses indicated that more people got outside to explore, escape, and be healthy and were grateful for the many opportunities at parks throughout the state.
Dave Hawkins
