Outdoor recreation in Wyoming generated $2.2 billion in 2023 (most recent data), growing 6.1% over the previous year and exceeding annual average growth, according to the University of Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Report. Visitors to the state generated $4.8 billion, including $263 million in travel-related tax revenue.

Snowmobiling (up 21.9%), canoeing and kayaking (up 17.9%), fishing (up 17.6%) and shooting sports (up 13.7%) recorded significant increases over the past year.

"The numbers and stories here clearly show that the state’s outdoor recreation economy continues to surge ahead," said Deputy Director of Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Chris Floyd. "In the last five years, the recreation portion of Wyoming’s [Gross Domestic Product] has increased by more than half a billion dollars."

Outdoor recreation now accounts for 4.1% of Wyoming's GDP, which is the fifth highest in the nation according to Bureau of Economic Analysis. However, Wyoming's nearly 16,000 outdoor recreation jobs were only a slight increase over the previous year.

The vast majority of those jobs (14,914) were in private industries, including 6,230 in accommodations and food service, 4,300 in retail trade and 2,400 in arts and entertainment. Government outdoor recreation jobs accounted for 884.

Nationally there are more than 5 million jobs in the sector, which recorded about $1.2 trillion in economic output. The report is prepared by the university's Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute and the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. The Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute helps support, expand and diversify Wyoming’s economy through the outdoor recreation, tourism and hospitality industries.

“This current annual report helps highlight the economic importance of outdoor recreation to our state,” says director  Dan McCoy. “Furthermore, it is impressive to see how many communities received funding for important improvements to their quality of life.”

In 2024, the Wyoming Office of Tourism allocated $1.68 million to establish the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative Grant program. These grants are facilitated by the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. Funding supports innovative projects from Outdoor Recreation Collaborative efforts and planning meetings.

In the Big Horn Basin, grants have been distributed to the Outlaw Trails on the 2,000-acre Newton Ridge Special Recreation Management Area near Cody and operated by the Park County Pedalers, The Darnell Hills OHV Area Campsite shade shelters and the Bighorn River Blueway Trail Access operated by the Cody Field Office of the BLM, and the Trails Complex at Riverside Park in Worland.

The grant program supports projects that provide equitable access to users, takes advantage of innovative partnerships and represents positive quality of life for users and beneficial economic impacts for communities, according to the report.

For more info: wyoscholar.uwyo.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/70e11a7a-6837-455e-89ad-f86792fc6060/
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