WYOMING — The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that the Outdoor Recreation Industry in Wyoming set a new record by contributing $2.2 billion to the state’s economy in 2023. This ranks Wyoming as the fifth nationally in this sector.
According to the report, Wyoming doubles the national average in outdoor recreation, boosting the state’s gross domestic product (GDP) by 4.1%. Revenue from outdoor recreation increased $132M from 2022 to 2023 in the state; additionally, employment in the outdoor industry saw a .4% increase from 2022 to 2023, accounting for 15,798 jobs or 5.3% of the state’s total employment.
Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources said in a statement that outdoor recreation activities saw continued growth in RVing, boating/fishing, snow activities and equestrian activities. Hunting/shooting/trapping was the largest activity in Wyoming, per the report.
“Outdoor recreation continues to be a vital part of Wyoming’s local and state economies, as well as an important aspect of the quality of life for our residents,” Wyoming State Parks and Cultural Resources Deputy Director Chris Floyd said in the announcement. “We are excited to see consistent and sustainable growth throughout the state, and we look forward to future investments and improvements through existing programs and new initiatives, such as the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund (ORTTF) in 2026.”
In March, Governor Gordon signed HB0067, which established governance for the ORTTF. The grant program was established to award funding to public outdoor recreation projects and recreation infrastructure. To date, the program has awarded $20,332,258 for 21 outdoor projects across the state.
According to Wyoming State Parks & Cultural Resources, $12 million dollars have been deposited into the ORTTF fund, with an additional $6 million in state lodging tax dollars scheduled each biennium. The fund will distribute recreational grants in Wyoming starting on July 1, 2026.
