Economic impacts nearly double at Harpers Ferry park over a decade

HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — Economic impacts have nearly doubled in communities surrounding Harpers Ferry National Historical Park over the last decade, according to the National Park Service.

Park superintendent Tanya Gossett said that in 2023, more than 427,300 visitors explored the historical park in West Virginia’s eastern panhandle.

She said they spent $23.8 million, supporting 319 local jobs and generating a cumulative benefit to the local economy of $37.7 million.

“Visitor spending, jobs supported, labor income, gateway community benefit, and total economic output have all nearly doubled since 2013 as a result of tourism growth,” Gossett said.

“Harpers Ferry continues to draw more visitors yearly to experience the area’s incredible history and natural beauty. When the park’s visitation increases, the economic benefits to neighboring towns and counties rise, too.”

Visitors to the park and the nearby Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail, and Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park also spent time in the surrounding counties, amplifying visitor spending effects.

According to the report, national parks in southern West Virginia also benefited greatly from increased visitation. Near the New River Gorge National Park and Preserve, more than 1,900,000 visitors spent $96.5 million in adjacent communities.

Across the U.S., more than 325 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks in 2023, supporting 415,400 jobs and providing $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 in economic output to the U.S. economy.

The lodging sector enjoyed the highest direct contributions, with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. Restaurants received the subsequent most significant direct contributions, with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.

An interactive tool explores 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.

Visit National Parks in West Virginia to learn more about national parks in West Virginia and how the National Park Service works with communities to preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation.

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