South Dakota’s national parks generated more than $524 million in visitor spending and supported more than 5,200 jobs in 2024, according to new data from the National Park Service and Headwaters Economics.
The state’s three National Park Service units — Badlands National Park, Mount Rushmore National Memorial, and Wind Cave National Park—drew 3.85 million visitors last year, producing $217.8 million in labor income for gateway communities across western South Dakota.
The figures represent South Dakota’s share of a broader economic surge across America’s national parks. Nationwide, visitation grew by 6 million visits from 2023 to 2024, a 2 percent increase that generated 340,100 jobs and resulted in more than $29 billion in visitor spending in communities near national parks — up 10 percent from the previous year.
“The economic benefits of national parks extend beyond tourism,” according to the Headwaters Economics report released in October. “In today’s economy, the greatest value of natural amenities and recreation opportunities often lies in the ability of protected lands to attract and retain residents, entrepreneurs, businesses, and the growing number of retirees who relocate for improved quality of life.”
Mount Rushmore National Memorial and Badlands National Park accounted for the largest share of South Dakota’s national park economic activity, with Wind Cave National Park contributing a smaller but significant portion, according to National Park Service data.
Across the northern plains region, Yellowstone National Park — which spans Montana, Wyoming and Idaho — led economic impact metrics with 4.74 million visits generating $709.7 million in spending, supporting 6,563 jobs and producing $322.3 million in labor income.
The National Park Service and U.S. Geological Survey track visitor spending effects annually using economic modeling that accounts for direct spending on lodging, food, transportation, recreation, and retail in communities within 60 miles of park boundaries.
For South Dakota, the parks represent a cornerstone of the state’s tourism economy. The Black Hills region, anchored by Mount Rushmore and surrounded by Badlands, Wind Cave, Jewel Cave National Monument, and other federal lands, serves as the state’s primary tourism destination outside of the annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally.
However, the rapid growth in park visitation presents challenges alongside economic benefits. The Headwaters report notes that gateway communities can struggle with housing affordability, infrastructure maintenance, and overcrowded trailheads and campsites as seasonal visitor populations dwarf permanent residents.
“Maintaining infrastructure such as roads, water, and recreation amenities can be challenging for towns with a population dwarfed by seasonal visitors,” the report states.
The report suggests that outdoor recreation offers Western communities opportunities to diversify their economies beyond traditional industries such as agriculture, mining, and energy development.
National Park Service visitation has trended upward since the 1980s, with a brief decline in 2020 due to the coronavirus pandemic. The 2024 figures show continued recovery and growth across the National Park System.
