2024 Socioeconomic Research of National Park Service Visitors: Report on 2024 Data Collection
Otak Inc., RRC Associates Inc., University of Montana, GAIA Environmental Consulting LLC. 2026. 2024 Socioeconomic Research of National Park Service Visitors: Report on 2024 Data Collection. Science Report. NPS/SR—2026/383. National Park Service. Fort Collins, Colorado. https://doi.org/10.36967/2316665
A strong mandate and need for socioeconomic monitoring have been expressed in the National Park Service (NPS) strategic goals for science, in statements by NPS leadership, and in various official reports. Since socioeconomic monitoring began in 2022, the NPS has conducted visitor surveys at 24 parks per year across the United States and associated territories. On the ground, the study uses a two-step survey methodology to capture a representative sample of park visitors during the peak season of each respective park unit. This process includes (1) an on-site intercept survey conducted via tablet, and (2) a post-trip survey (completed either by mail-back or online) for more in-depth trip details. The types of data collected include visitor demographics, trip characteristics/planning, and experience evaluations. Results are organized by these two survey instruments and are aimed at assisting park managers. For the 2024 report, data from the first three years of data collection in the SEM are combined and weighted to display a more comprehensive set of aggregate results. This study shows the importance of data consistency on a national scale and the utility of aggregated results for the entire agency.
- Type
- Published Report
- Authors
- Otak Inc.; RRC Associates Inc.; University of Montana; GAIA Environmental Consulting LLC
- Date of Issue
- 2026-05
- Publisher
- National Park Service
- DOI
- 10.36967/2316665
- Units
- EPCB , EQD , ERPB , NRSS , SSB
- Keywords
- Demographics, SEM, Social Science, Socioeconomic Monitoring, Trip Characteristics, Visitor Survey