WEST GLACIER, Mont. [September 29, 2025] – A new National Park Service report shows that in 2024, 3.2 million park visitors spent an estimated $458 million in local gateway regions while visiting Glacier National Park. These expenditures supported a total of 5,190 jobs, $217 million in labor income, $359 million in value added, and $656 million in economic output in local gateway economies surrounding Glacier National Park.
“The communities around Glacier are our partners in providing visitors with information that helps them enjoy the park safely and responsibly – so that we may all continue to experience the wonder of this wild and scenic landscape for generations to come. The park contributes back to Western Montana through visitor spending that supports jobs and creates revenue. We’re grateful to work with community partners on a sustainable future for our parks and communities.” said Glacier National Park Superintendent Dave Roemer.
Spending by national park visitors is a major contribution to local, regional and U.S. economies, supporting a vibrant tourism industry. The National Park Service report, 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that 332 million visitors spent $29 billion in gateway communities within 60 miles of a national park. This spending supported 340,000 jobs, provided $18.8 billion in labor income and $56.3 billion benefit to the U.S. economy in 2024. The lodging sector saw the highest direct economic benefits, with national park tourism contributing $11.1 billion to this sector nationally. The restaurants sector saw the next greatest economic benefit from national park tourism, with $5.7 billion contributed to this sector nationally.
An interactive tool is available to explore visitor spending, jobs, labor income, and total economic contribution by sector for national, state and local economies. Users can also view year-by-year trend data. The interactive tool and report are available on the NPS website.
To learn more about national parks in Montana and how the National Park Service works with Montana communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/montana.
Source: Glacier National Park
Photo: Logan Pass Parking Lot
NPS / Jacob W. Frank
