A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that 797,346 visitors to Cumberland Gap National Historical Park in 2023 spent over $25.6 million in communities near the park. That spending supported 312 jobs in the local area and had a cumulative benefit to the local economy of over $27.8 million.

“I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “And I’m just as proud to see those visitors making positive impacts of their own, by supporting local economies and jobs in every state in the country.”

“Nearly 800,000 people from across the country and around the world visited Cumberland Gap National Historical Park last year and spent over $25 million in the local area,” said Superintendent Lisa Baldwin. “The park offers a wide range of experiences that appeal to nature enthusiasts, outdoor recreationists, and heritage travelers alike. We are proud to contribute to area tourism that supports hundreds of local jobs and brings millions in economic benefits to local communities. We hope to update our recreational fee structure so we can continue or even expand the programs and facilities we offer and bring even more tourism and economic benefits to the area.”

The National Park Service report, 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 billion in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. Restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.

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 Kentucky, Tennessee, or Virginia and how the National Park Service works with communities in those states to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to www.nps.gov/state/ky, www.nps.gov/state/tn, or www.nps.gov/state/va.

Cumberland Gap National Historical Park preserves the historic Cumberland Gap, a key point for crossing the Appalachians that became known as the First Gateway to the West. Located where Tennessee, Kentucky, and Virginia meet, the park’s 24,000 acres includes 85 miles of hiking trails, front and backcountry camping, a historic Appalachian settlement, cave and rock formations, and 14,000 acres of managed wilderness. The visitor center in Middlesboro, Kentucky, is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm daily. Entrance is free. For more information visit our website or Facebook page.