We saw just about 4 million visits here to the National Park in 2024 ... and that in turn has an economic output of about $750 million dollars.
— Linzy French, Visual Information Specialist, Cape Cod National Seashore
National Seashore Drives $754M in Economic Impact
Newly released 2024 data shows about 4 million Seashore visitors, $598M in spending, and economic impact of $754M.
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18 October 2025 – EASTHAM, MA – Cape Cod National Seashore brings far more than spectacular scenery—it brings some $754 million in economic impact to be exact, according to the recently-released 2024 National Park Visitor Spending Effects report.
The latest numbers once again confirm the Seashore provides a powerful economic engine for Cape Cod, one larger than any other business in the region and one which continues to drive revenue and jobs.
What is the Spending Effects report?
The annual report analyzes visitor numbers, spending, and economic impact of park visitors to better understand the economic role National Parks play within local communities. This year’s report, released in September, shares 2024 data.
Nationwide it found that visitors spent $29 billion in communities near national parks, which generated $56.3 in economic output to the U.S. economy. At the Cape Cod National Seashore specifically, just under four million visitors spent $589M, for an economic impact of $754M.
How many people visited the Cape Cod National Seashore?
Linzy French, visual information specialist for the Seashore, said 2024 visitor numbers were right in line with the visitor trends the park has been seeing for the past several years. The four million visitor range—mostly compressed into the Memorial Day to Labor Day season—represents a good balance for the park, she said, meaning solid use without overwhelming the facilities.
The park tracks visitor use based on standardized measures ranging from parking lots to program participation, and shares that information with the statistical arm of the park service, which compiles and analyzes the data nationwide.
How long has visitor data been measured?
The process has been in place for more than 30 years. This longitudinal dataset helps the park service understand use and impact of the national lands on local economies.
What does the data look at?
The data analysis tracks the economic ripples of park visitors and their spending, and how this impacts the regional economy. Officials draw on standard multiplier formulas that interpolate spending impact.
Citing the report, French notes that the reach of park visitor spending ripples far beyond an individual park visit or hotel stay, leading to the creation of jobs in related sectors, spillover into other regional actives, and a boon to businesses like restaurants.
“We’re a symbiotic system here, so we want to work with the communities and stakeholders as much as we want to help build that relationship” she said.
“Reports like this just bolster why we have such a special place here, and why it’s important to continue to preserve and protect national parks.”
