HOPKINS — A new National Park Service (NPS) report shows that in 2023 a record number 250,114 visitors to Congaree National Park spent approximately $14,881,000 in communities near the park. That spending supported 173 jobs in the local area and contributed nearly $18,000,000 of total economic output to the local economy.

Congaree, S.C.’s only National Park

“I’m so proud that our parks and the stories we tell make a lasting impact on more than 300 million visitors a year,” said National Park Service Director Chuck Sams. “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.”

“In 2023 Congaree once again set a new park visitation record with over 250,000 annual visitors coming to experience what makes this park a truly unique and extraordinary landscape to explore.” said Superintendent Greg Hauburger. “I am thrilled that the park helps strengthen local economy, supporting almost $15 million of spending in our gateway communities.”

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Congaree National Park Feral Hog Management

Staff conducting management work to reduce feral hog population, closing select trails, and limiting backcountry camping in October.

The National Park Service report, 2023 National Park Visitor Spending Effects, finds that 325.5 million visitors spent $26.4 billion in communities near national parks. This spending supported 415,400 jobs, provided $19.4 billion in labor income and $55.6 in economic output to the U.S. economy. The lodging sector had the highest direct contributions with $9.9 billion in economic output and 89,200 jobs. The restaurants received the next greatest direct contributions with $5.2 billion in economic output and 68,600 jobs.

Staff from Congaree National Park, alongside staff from USDA APHIS, Fort Sumter and Fort Moultrie National Historical Park and Cumberland Gap NHP, will be conducting feral hog management work in the park during April and May.

An interactive tool is available to explore 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.

Congaree National Park has announced the dates for the 2024 Synchronized Firefly Viewing Event. This year’s event will take place May 16-25, offering the public opportunities to witness this magical natural phenomenon. Passes will be required to enter the park on event nights and will be awarded through a lottery system hosted through Recreation.gov.

To learn more about national parks in South Carolina and how the National Park Service works with South Carolina communities to help preserve local history, conserve the environment, and provide outdoor recreation, go to the state’s NPS webpage: South Carolina (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov).

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