Utah will Fund the Mighty 5® National Parks

SALT LAKE CITY (October 3, 2025) — With the government shutdown impacting park operations, the Governor’s Office of Economic Opportunity is providing dedicated funds to cover visitor center operating expenses at Utah’s Mighty 5® national parks and Cedar Breaks National Monument, ensuring these centers of essential services remain fully operational.

“Utah’s National Parks will remain open,” said Natalie Randall, Managing Director of the Utah Office of Tourism and Film. “We are committed to supporting visitors in planning and preparing for their best trip to Utah, preserving our parks, and ensuring Utah communities and businesses that rely on national park visitation are supported.”

Visitor centers serve as an essential hub for visitor safety, sanitation, and public security. They act as vital information and orientation points, offering essential details on park conditions, necessary permits, and available services.

Visitation and state-wide economic impact figures:

• In 2024, National Park visitor spending contributed $3.1 billion to Utah's economy.

• Utah’s Mighty 5® national parks see, on average, more than 1.1 million visitors in October, or 37,000 visitors daily (2019-2024 average). 

• Utah ranks among the top three states for national park-supported jobs, with 26,500 livelihoods depending on this visitor economy, which is vital for many Utah communities.

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About the Utah Office of Tourism: The Utah Office of Tourism (UOT) works to elevate life in Utah through responsible tourism stewardship, with a focus on marketing, stewardship, and development. UOT’s marketing efforts share Utah’s stories in ways that inspire travel, support local businesses, and contribute to the state’s economy. Its stewardship work helps guide visitation and encourage responsible discovery to protect Utah’s landscapes and communities. Through development, UOT collaborates with partners statewide to strengthen visitor economies in ways that serve both residents and travelers. Learn more at visitutah.com and travel.utah.gov.