Millions Spent Visiting Washington’s National Parks

The National Parks Service has released final numbers for the 2013 year regarding tourism and economic impacts.

More than 7.3 million people visited parks in Washington contributing approximately $430 million to the state's economy.

The numbers are down compared to 2012, but according to a news release by the Parks Service, that was likely due to the government shutdown in October.

In addition to the tourists, state parks supported nearly 5,300 jobs and $186 million in income.

The national parks in Washington include Ebey’s Landing National Historical Reserve, Lake Chelan National Recreation Area, Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area, Mount Rainier National Park, North Cascades National Park, Olympic National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area, San Juan Island National Historical Park, and Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park - Seattle, as well as the main unit of Fort Vancouver National Historic Site, and parts of Lewis and Clark National Historical Park, Nez Perce National Historical Park, and Minidoka National Historic Site.