Investment in free state parks pay off for state
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 ...
