Walker County Tourism Spending Reaches $54.1 Million in 2025, Up 4.3%

Walker Chamber of Commerce and Tourism announced today that visitors to Walker County, Georgia spent $54.1 million in the calendar year 2025, according to newly released data from Tourism Economics and the Georgia Department of Economic Development (GDEcD). Visitor spending in Walker County continued to grow in 2025 with a 4.3% increase over 2024. All sectors posted year-over-year gains including food and beverage, recreation, retail, and transportation, while the largest growth occurred in lodging.

Walker County is home to several unique places to stay. For those wanting to experience nature, Walker County hosts glamping yurts at Skyland Ridge, treehouse retreats at Treetops Hideaways and cabins in the valley at Mountain Cove Farms Resort. Alpine A-frames, Round Pound Retreat, and movie and fantasy themed lodging at Fablerealm turn overnight accommodations into destination stays. “Welcoming visitors regionally and from around the world, Fablerealm is an immersive experience where guests can stay inside of their favorite stories!” said Kristi Bubrig, Fablerealm owner and operator.

Walker County also offers experiences that can’t be found anywhere else in the Southeast. For example, Cloudland at McLemore Resort, Curio Collection by Hilton, welcomed guests in its second year from all 50 states as well as 37 international countries spanning six continents. The resort recently opened its second 18-hole course, The Keep, which was awarded Sports Illustrated’s 2025 Best New Course Overall. Rock City, which recently received a 2026 Travelers’ Choice Award from TripAdvisor, saw over half a million guests in 2025 and continues to be a top attraction in the state.

“Walker County offers a variety of experiences that showcase the natural beauty of our mountains and countryside,” said Lacey Smith, president and CEO of Walker Chamber of Commerce and Tourism. “As the organization responsible for championing our local tourism industry, we are excited to see the impact visitor spending continues to have on our economy. These numbers reflect the strength of our tourism assets and the important role tourism plays in Walker County.”

Walker County’s visitor economy supported 462 jobs and generated $3.8 million in state and loc

al tax revenues in 2025. Without the tax revenues generated by tourism, every Walker County household would need to pay an additional $143 in taxes each year.

“From luxury accommodations and award-winning golf at McLemore Resort to outdoor experiences and seasonal events at Lula Lake Land Trust and Rock City Gardens, Walker County is drawing travelers from around the world to Northwest Georgia,” said  Jay Markwalter, Deputy Commissioner of Tourism for the Georgia Department of Economic Development. “These latest numbers demonstrate the positive impact that visitors make across Walker County – supporting local businesses, creating jobs, and enhancing the quality of life for residents. We’re grateful for our partnership with Walker County’s tourism community, whose dedication not only strengthens the regional visitor economy but also contributes to Georgia’s statewide tourism success.”

Walker County’s boost in 2025 tourism contributed to Georgia breaking tourism records for the fourth consecutive year and ranking fifth in the nation for domestic overnight visitation for the sixth year in a row. A new high of 175.6 million domestic and international visitors spent $46.2 billion on lodging, restaurants, recreation, transportation, and other local businesses across the state. Those tourism dollars generated $5.3 billion in state and local tax revenues, saving each Georgia household nearly $1,300 in annual taxes on average. Tourism is one of Georgia’s largest economic contributors, generating $84.1 billion in statewide economic impact and supporting 473,837 direct, indirect, and induced jobs, accounting for one in every 15 jobs in Georgia.

This data is sourced from an annual study conducted by Tourism Economics and commissioned by the Georgia Department of Economic Development to measure the economic impact of tourism on the state and its 159 counties. Tourism Economics, an Oxford Economics company, is a leader in global economic forecasting for the travel and tourism industry.

For more information about tourism in Walker County, visit walkerrocks.com.

Walker Chamber of Commerce and Tourism is the premier destination marketing organization for Walker County and is dedicated to promoting and growing tourism in Walker County through championing local businesses, regional events, and natural wonders.