SEQUOIA/KINGS CANYON NATIONAL PARK – As the federal government teeters on the edge of a shutdown, a new National Park Service report has revealed just how critical both Sequoia and Kings Canyon parks are to the local economy.
In 2024, more than 2 million visitors spent $192.5 million in nearby communities, which drove a total economic impact of $230.9 million. However, this revenue could be at risk if the parks are forced to close in light of a federal government shutdown expected to occur at 12:01 a.m. Oct. 1.
“People come to Sequoia and Kings Canyon to see the world’s largest trees and end up supporting local economies along the way,” said Superintendent Clay Jordan via statement. “We’re proud that these parks generate over $200 million in revenue to communities near the parks.”
The 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects report found that visitors spent $29 billion in communities near national parks. The combined spending supported restaurants, local hotels, gas stations, retail shops and other recreational services for towns near the parks, like Visalia, Exeter, Three Rivers, Sanger and Fresno.
This spending also provided $18.8 billion in labor income and $56.3 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $11.1 billion in economic output. Restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.7 billion in economic output.
With a record setting 2,008,962 visitors in 2024, both Sequoia and Kings Canyon National parks are not only providing surreal experiences for millions of visitors, but they are also serving as powerful economic engines.
However, in light of the potential shutdown of the federal government, the economic impact could decline as a shutdown could lead to closures of the parks.
The federal government’s budget runs until Sept. 30. If another budget measure is not approved by Congress, operations will come to a halt.
According to various reports, including Sept. 30 reporting from AP News, at the root of the shutdown is a partisan stalemate over funding to health care.
