PHOENIX – The value that Arizona State Parks and Trails brings to the state is measured not just in recreation opportunities and historic and cultural preservation, but also in direct visitor spending, tax revenues, and job creation. According to a study published this month, the agency supported a total of $555 million in statewide economic activity.

Arizona State Parks and Trails receives no taxpayer funding for the operation of its more than 30 parks, but supports $18 million in state tax revenues and another $14 million in county and local taxes. Additionally, more than $273 million in gross state product and $151 million in labor income is supported, along with nearly 3,000 jobs statewide.

“It’s hard to overemphasize the value that Arizona State Parks and Trails brings to the residents of our state,” said Executive Director Bob Broscheid. “We have parks in all but two counties, and we have more than three million visitors per year. That means our parks significantly contribute to the economies in rural communities as well as larger cities like Flagstaff and Tucson.” 

The study was conducted by the University of Arizona’s Cooperative Extension and shows that inflation-adjusted total expenditures by non-local visitors increased roughly 24% since 2020, equaling higher spending overall in the state. The study measures two types of economic effects: county economic impacts and state economic contributions. Both measures are rooted in visitor spending.

An estimated total of $355 million in direct state park visitor spending in 2025 generated roughly $99 million in indirect business-to-business economic activity and $102 million in induced household-to-business transactions. A majority of visitors to the state parks are Arizona residents, with 34% from out of state and 3% international visitors. 

The last economic impact study was conducted in 2020. Since then, visitation has declined by 4% and has returned to pre-pandemic levels. In rural communities with state parks, the economic benefit includes visitor spending for groceries, food and beverage, retail shopping, auto expenses, and other expenses. The economic impact is broken out by local and non-local spending. 

While the latest report measures the economic impact of Arizona’s state parks specifically, outdoor recreation statewide also has an annual economic impact of $15.4 billion and supports 118,672 jobs in Arizona, according to a 2024 Bureau of Economic Analysis study. To view the 2025 Arizona State Parks and Trails Economic Impact Study, visit azstateparks.com/publications.

About Arizona State Parks and Trails

Arizona State Parks and Trails serves the communities of Arizona through stewardship, partnerships, and conservation, and acts as an economic driver for the state. Its mission is to connect people with the outdoors and history of Arizona to build a lifetime of memories. The agency manages and protects more than 30 parks and natural areas and oversees the statewide trails program, the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO), and the Arizona Family Campout and statewide Off-Highway Vehicle programs. The agency administers more than five outdoor-related and historic preservation grant programs and manages statewide outdoor recreation planning. For more information, visit AZStateParks.com.

PRESS CONTACT: Michelle Thompson at (480) 589-8877 - Email: pio@azstateparks.gov