WYOMING — A recent report from the U.S. Department of Commerce shows that Wyoming’s outdoor recreation industry continues to grow as an economic driver, accounting for $1.5 billion of the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2021.
Over the last two years, outdoor recreation has amounted to nearly $3B for the state’s economy; on track with the growing trends seen across the country in this sector.
In 2020, the outdoor recreation industry accounted for $1.2 billion of the state’s GDP. In 2021, that number grew by $3 million, representing 3.6% of Wyoming’s GDP.
Additionally, Wyoming ranked 6th among all states in outdoor recreation value-added growth in 2021. Since 2020, outdoor recreation value added has grown 28.6% in Wyoming, compared with an increase of 24.7% for the United States.
Since 2020, employment in the outdoor recreation sector has grown 18.4% in Wyoming and accounted for 5.4% of the state’s total employment. Nationally, outdoor recreation employment grew by 13.1%.
“I think what we are seeing is the inherent value that the outdoor recreation economy has in a state like Wyoming,” Patrick Harrington, manager of the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Office said. “People across the state are looking towards this industry as a means of economic diversification and vitality for our local and state economies.”
Unprecedented visitation seen throughout the Cowboy State in 2020 only continued in 2021, with record-breaking statistics recorded by both national and state parks.
Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks both documented record numbers and hosted a combined 8,745,787 recreation visits. Wyoming State Parks and Historic Sites also hosted a combined 5,755,184 visitors in 2021, a 2% decrease from 2020, but 25% above the five-year average.
With record visitation, many outdoor recreation activities also saw significant growth in 2021 with some surpassing pre-pandemic value added. Snow activities added $108,258 in value, jumping from the 13th to 12th ranked state in value added. RVing, motorcycling and ATVing, climbing, equestrian, bicycling and recreational flying also saw steady increases across the board contributing a combined $166,423 in value-added or an 11% increase.
