According to the newly released 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects report from the National Park Service, America’s two most famous neighbors, Grand Teton and Yellowstone, brought in over 8.3 million visitors last year and combined for $1.52 billion in direct visitor spending, supporting more than 13,400 local jobs and fueling over $2 billion in total economic output across gateway communities in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.
Grand Teton National Park (GTNP)
- 2024 Visits: 3,628,222
- Visitor Spending: $807.6 million
- Jobs Supported: 6,861
- Labor Income: $329.1 million
- Value Added: $593.5 million
- Total Economic Output: $983.5 million
That’s right, nearly a billion dollars in activity stemming from people stopping to stare at the Tetons (and the occasional moose on the road). GTNP remains Wyoming’s single largest tourism driver, narrowly edging out Yellowstone in terms of per-visitor economic punch, with each visitor generating roughly $222 in local spending.
Yellowstone National Park (YNP)
- 2024 Visits: 4,744,353
- Visitor Spending: $709.7 million
- Jobs Supported: 6,563
- Labor Income: $322.3 million
- Value Added: $544.3 million
- Total Economic Output: $903.1 million
Yellowstone remains a monster, drawing nearly 4.75 million recreation visits and contributing just over $900 million in total output across its tri-state region. The park’s spending effects are split 51% in Montana and 49% in Wyoming.
Combined Impact
Together, Grand Teton and Yellowstone:
- Accounted for 8.37 million recreation visits
- Generated $1.52 billion in visitor spending
- Supported 13,424 jobs
- Produced a combined $1.9 billion in economic output
For context, Wyoming’s total National Park System spending impact (including smaller sites like Fossil Butte and Bighorn Canyon) was $1.216 billion statewide, supporting 11,823 jobs and $1.54 billion in output — meaning the two big parks alone are responsible for more than 95% of all NPS-related economic activity in Wyoming.
Why It Matters
The report highlights that in 2024, NPS visitors nationwide spent $29 billion, supporting 340,000 jobs across the U.S. gateway economies. Lodging and restaurants dominated spending categories, $11.1 billion and $5.7 billion, respectively, with Wyoming’s park gateway towns like Jackson, Cody, and West Yellowstone leading the charge.
So the next time you’re stuck behind a California SUV rental doing 35 mph through the Moose–Wilson Road, just remember, they might be helping pay for your favorite bartender’s rent.
