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Idaho national parks brought more than $37 million into the state's economy

The report says that money supported 569 jobs outside the parks, with a cumulative benefit to the state of about $48.5 million.
Credit: Tyson Miller/KTVB
Greg Reed, the lead interpretive park ranger at Craters of the Moon National Monument and Preserve leads a snowshoe tour for a 5th-grade class on Tuesday, Feb. 19, 2019.

BOISE, Idaho — A new report from the National Park Service says Idaho's five national parks brought in nearly 750,000 visitors last year.

Boise State Public Radio reports that the visitors to City of Rocks, Craters of the Moon, Hagerman Fossil Beds, the Minidoka Historic Site and the Nez Perce National Historical Park spent most of their money on lodging, with food a close second.

All told, the tourists spent roughly $37.4 million during their visits. The report says that money supported 569 jobs outside the parks, with a cumulative benefit to the state of about $48.5 million.

The report says that across the Mountain West, visitors to national parks spent over $3.5 billion last year.

MORE: Report: Yellowstone National Park brought $647 million to economy

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