JACKSON, Wyo. — The University of Wyoming (UW) and the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation released a report recently detailing the state’s outdoor recreation industry and its impact on Wyoming’s economy.
UW’s Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Institute was a partner on the report that stated outdoor recreation accounted for 4.5% of Wyoming’s gross domestic product (GDP) in 2024. That figure is the fifth highest share of GDP nationally. The state’s outdoor recreation industry employs 16,545 people, up .5% from 2023, with 15,487 of those jobs in private industries.
In Teton County, 180 outdoor recreation companies employed 1,668 people, more than double the amount in any other Wyoming county. The Teton County Outdoor Recreation Collaborative is one of 12 collaborations that connect local community members, stakeholders and government agencies to support industry growth.
“These collaboratives encourage conversations aimed at identifying areas of opportunity, supporting projects addressing the maintenance of existing recreational areas and development of new infrastructure,” Wyoming’s Outdoor Recreation Coordinator Amy Crawford wrote in the report.
According to the report, outdoor recreation in 2024 generated $2.3 billion across the state, and visitors spent $4.9 billion while traveling and recreating in the state. That travel spending produced $277 million in travel-related tax revenue, which is a 4.3% increase over 2023.
Of all the individually analyzed segments in the report, hunting/shooting/trapping brought in the most money at $108,868,000, with “RVing” bringing in nearly $90 million. Boating and fishing earned over $76 million, and snow activities contributed almost $47 million. Other related outdoor recreation and entertainment combined generated over $1.3 billion. Outdoor activities that saw “significant increases” in 2024 include: climbing, hiking and tent camping; guided tours and outfitted travel; and equestrian-related activities.
“This is an exciting time for Outdoor Recreation in Wyoming,” Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation Manager Mark Tesoro wrote in the report. “The term ‘Outdoor Recreation’ appears in so many discussions throughout the state, from physical and mental health benefits to access on state lands to the creation of the Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund. Across Wyoming, the discussions have been robust and inspiring. Wyoming is truly blessed with America’s greatest outdoor recreation opportunities.”
Read the entire report here.
