The number of people making the trek to Big Bend National Park slowed in 2022 after hitting an all-time high in 2021, new data from the National Park Service show.
Big Bend Superintendent Bob Krumenaker, who announced Tuesday he would be retiring in the summer, said the numbers don’t necessarily suggest the start of a downward trend. The peak in 2021 now appears to have been an anomaly, he said, fueled by the post-pandemic lockdown surge in national park visitors that was seen across the U.S.
Krumenaker said he believes the park will continue to see at least 500,000 annual visitors in the years ahead.Jim Street, member of the Alpine Business Alliance and former president of the non-profit group, said the city, a frequent stop for travelers headed to Big Bend, has lost multiple businesses in the past year or so as inflation has changed people’s spending habits nationwide.
Even with the lower tourism numbers, the Big Bend region has continued to see a growth in new AirBNBs and other short-term rentals coming on the market.
MarfaRadio I went in 2022! First time. Totally recommended!