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HARRISBURG -- Pennsylvania's 125 free state parks generated an estimated $16.05 for every $1 invested, up from $12.41 reported in a previous study, according to a new study from the Pennsylvania State University. The study also found that visitors spent an estimated $1.2 billion on state park trips in 2025, supporting jobs and businesses in communities across the Commonwealth.
Visitor spending averaged $31.60 per person per day, with restaurants, gas, and groceries among the top spending categories. The findings underscore the role of the Commonwealth's state parks in supporting Pennsylvania's $20.4 billion outdoor recreation economy.
"Pennsylvania's free state park system is one of the best investments for the Commonwealth and its people -- providing the visitors with healthy, safe spaces to disconnect from the rigors of modern life and experience the restorative, healing power of nature," said Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn. "We are committed to improving visitor experience and providing modern infrastructure, safe places to recreate outdoors, and maintaining our commitment to sustainable public lands management. Thank you to the Recreation, Park, and Tourism Management team at Penn State who completed this impactful study."
Researchers surveyed more than 4,000 visitors for this study and used the latest economic modeling to improve on the 2012 study, which relied on spending estimates and data from other states. All spending occurred in Pennsylvania communities within 50 miles of a state park, with nearly three-quarters of all spending for state park trips coming from Pennsylvania residents.
Other findings from the study include the following:
Jobs and wages: State Park visitor spending directly supported 11,712 jobs and generated $457 million in labor income.
Broader economic impact: Including secondary effects, visitor spending contributed $2.1 billion in sales, supported 15,687 jobs, and generated $770 million in labor income.
Tax revenue: Visitor spending contributed an estimated $85.3 million in state tax revenue in 2025.
Economic output: The study measured $757 million in direct value added and $1.3 billion in secondary value added, reflecting contributions to Pennsylvania's gross state product.
"These economic contributions and their growth over time are a testament to strategic investments made in state parks," said Andrew Mowen, Penn State RPTM professor and principal researcher for the study. "Many of the survey respondents visited state parks for day trips to maximize having beautiful state parks without having to spend money on a pass as some of our neighboring states require. The story here is that we are seeing growing economic impact from state parks as a result of investing in improving visitor experience in these spaces. Thank you to my team who helped design and implement this important study -- Drs. Alan Graefe, Katherine Zipp, and Grace Wildermuth."