Economic Contribution of Visitors to Selected North Carolina State Parks
Reservations Information
... details ±
North Carolina's state parks potentially contribute $289 million to local economies annually as well as $120 million to local residents' income, according to an intensive study researchers at N.C. State University conducted for the N.C. Division of Parks and Recreation.
Fourteen state parks examined in the yearlong study contributed at least $139 million annually when spending by tourists was combined with direct spending in the local communities by the parks. The study found that 'tourist' visitors to those parks spent an average of $23.56 a day to enjoy the outdoors. In addition, the parks' impact on local residents' income was estimated to be $56 million annually.