News

Actions

100 years old, Utah’s National Parks still look good in viewer photos

Posted at 5:46 PM, Aug 25, 2016
and last updated 2016-08-25 19:46:56-04

SALT LAKE CITY — The National Park Service is 100 years old, and Utah would be in the running for the state most closely identified with its National Parks, though Wyoming and Arizona might make a case.

National Parks are big business for Utah.

Vicki Varela, Director of Tourism, Film and Global Branding, says the Utah's "Mighty Five" (speaking of global branding) are as key to Utah's tourist economy as it's ski slopes.

"Last year, tourists spent $7.89 billion in the state. That translates into $1.09 billion into state and local tax revenues," Varela said, noting that tourist dollars are like extra credit because they go to Utah service, but they don't come out of Utahns' pockets.

But money aside, Fox 13 decided a better birthday story for the parks would be about the memories our viewers have, so we asked for pictures. Here's a photo gallery: