According to a new report from the National Park Service, tourism to Joshua Tree National Park in 2024 had a cumulative benefit of $214 million to the local economy. The report showed that the more than 2.9 million visitors to Joshua Tree spent $179 million in communities near the park in 2024.
“People come to Joshua Tree National Park to recreate and enjoy being in nature, to learn about the history of the area, and perhaps even see a tortoise. While visiting, they also end up supporting the US and local economies during their visits. We’re proud to be such an important part of the local economy and simply could not do what we do without the awesome support of our gateway communities and park partners.” – Superintendent Jane Rodgers.
The report, titled 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, found that $29 billion was spent by visitors in communities near national parks. That spending provided $18.8 billion in labor income and $56.3 billion in economic output. The lodging sector contributed the most with $11.1 billion in economic output, while restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.7 billion in economic output.
For a more interactive look and the full report on visitor spending, labor income, and total economic contribution by sector for national, state, and local economies, head here.
