UW's WORTH Institute releases report on economic and community benefits of outdoor recreation in Wyoming

The Jay Kemmerer Wyoming Outdoor Recreation, Tourism and Hospitality (WORTH) Institute at the University of Wyoming -- in partnership with the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation -- has compiled a report to document several key elements of how this industry contributes to Wyoming’s communities. In 2023, the outdoor recreation industry generated $2.2 billion, or 4.1 percent, of Wyoming’s GDP (gross domestic product). Since 2012, Wyoming has seen a 4.5 percent increase in annual growth of the outdoor recreation economy.

 

The report underscores how outdoor recreation directly supports 15,798 jobs in Wyoming across industries. It highlights the contributions to Wyoming’s GDP by different outdoor industries, including snow sports, RV's (recreational vehicles), boating, fishing and sports activities that include golf and tennis. Similarly, it notes the activities that saw significant increases in 2023, such as shooting sports and canoeing. The report also features outdoor recreation projects from around the state that were awarded funding from the Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Collaborative Grant program and the American Rescue Plan Act, both programs facilitated by the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation.