National parks contributed $34.9 billion to the economy last year



Explore this gallery for our favorite off-the-beaten-path park sights. The National Park system is full of hidden gems and secret spots.

Explore this gallery for our favorite off-the-beaten-path park sights. The National Park system is full of hidden gems and secret spots. Photo: Courtesy National Park Service Photo: Courtesy National Park Service Image 1 of / 23 Caption Close National parks contributed $34.9 billion to the economy last year 1 / 23 Back to Gallery

Over 331 million people visited a national park in 2016, and they brought with them some serious spending power.

The National Park Service (NPS) just released its 2016 visitor spending effects report, which details the massive economic contributions of the parks and their visitors.

In total, national parks generated $34.9 billion in economic output during the last fiscal year. And because visitors need lodging, food, and maybe a drink or two at the local watering hole, their dollars reverberate far outside the bounds of the parks.

Within so-called gateway regions – communities surrounding parks – visitors spent an estimated $18.4 billion, creating 318,000 jobs, $12 billion in labor income, and $19.9 million in value added.

Story continues below

The fiscal future of NPS has been questioned this year, as President Donald Trump's 2017 budget proposal calls for a 12-percent cut – $1.5 billion – in the department's budget. In a show of solidarity on April 3, Trump donated the first three months of his salary – $78,333.32 – to NPS. According to Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, the funds will go towards maintenance projects on national battlefields.

Budget scuffles have not hindered visitors, eager to explore the natural wonders of the nation. In 2016, national parks saw a 7.7-percent increase in visits, breaking the 2015 record of 307.2 million recreational visits. The NPS centennial likely contributed to the spike.

As this week is National Park Week, it's a perfect time to celebrate the majesty of this country's wide-open spaces. Admission to national parks is free until April 24.

Find your nearest park with NPS's locator map.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Read Michelle Robertson’s latest stories and send her news tips at mrobertson@sfchronicle.com.