The Blue Ridge Parkway, a 469-mile scenic road connecting national parks in Virginia and North Carolina, continues to be a major economic driver for surrounding communities. In 2023, the parkway attracted 16,757,635.
According to a press release, National Park Service Director Chuck Sams expressed pride in the impact of national parks, stating, “I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year. 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.”
This influx brought economic benefits to the region, with tourists spending $1,390,803,000 in communities adjacent to the parkway. This spending supported 19,159 jobs in the local area and generated $1,810,286,000 in economic output.
Tracy Swartout, superintendent of the Blue Ridge Parkway, also emphasized the importance of the 2023 visitor spending report. Swartout stated, “The report also reinforces the importance of several generation-defining infrastructure investments at work on the Parkway as a result of the Great American Outdoors Act. Our ability to care for these special places is strongly linked to the vitality of local economies of present and future generations.”
The Blue Ridge Parkway’s success is part of a larger trend across the National Park System. In 2023, national park visitors contributed $26.4 billion to the U.S. economy and supported 415,400 jobs nationwide.
The Blue Ridge Parkway’s popularity stems from its scenic beauty and diverse recreational opportunities, including hiking, cycling, camping, and wildlife viewing. This variety contributes to the parkway’s broad appeal, benefiting a wide range of local businesses, including those in the outdoor hospitality industry.