Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management

Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Two students smiling at each other while kayaking

Turn Your Passion for the Outdoors into a Career in Recreation & Tourism

You can't imagine staring at a plastic screen for your entire career. In fact, you dream of a job where you can blaze trails outdoors and share your spirit of adventure with others.

The world needs more people who don't want to be fenced in and want to show the rest of us what busting out looks like. Get ready to up rope and seek your future as an outdoor recreation and tourism management major.

Request Info

Two students smiling at each other while kayaking

This program is currently offered in
the following locations:

Laramie Campus

What is outdoor recreation and tourism management?

The University of Wyoming's outdoor recreation and tourism management degree program is an interdisciplinary major that combines the study of business, recreation, culture, the environment, natural resources and tourism to prepare you for the fast-growing outdoor recreation and tourism sector.

Yes, you'll log time in class learning from professors and outdoor industry experts, but you'll also get to stretch your mind and legs in the great outdoors- studying the vast living laboratory that is the Cowboy State and potentially locations around the world.

Through in-depth coursework and hiking-boots-on-the-ground experiences, you will be prepared for leadership roles at ski areas, with outdoor adventure programs, outdoor and interpretive educational settings and hospitality and tourism enterprises.

A student ice fishing smiles for a photo

 

To further customize your degree, outdoor recreation and tourism management majors get to choose from five curated concentrations! Explore the options and select the concentration that aligns with your passions and goals.

A climber smiles for a picture in Vedauwoo

 

These are just a few of the courses you might take as an outdoor recreation and tourism management major at UW:

  • Foundations of Recreation and Tourism
  • Tourism Theory and Practice
  • Program Planning, Design and Discovery
  • Forest Management
A class of outdoor recreation and tourism management students in the snow

 

 

Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management Bachelor's Degree Program Highlights

Internships

Take part in a required 400-hour professional internship, gaining resume-building experience. Possible internship opportunities include employers such as Wyoming State Parks, members of the Wyoming Outfitters and Guides Association, Jackson Lake Lodge, Jackson Hole Mountain Resort, Wilderness Adventures, National Outdoor Leadership School (NOLS), Buffalo Bill Center of the West and others.

About NOLS

Spend one entire semester in cohort-based outdoor recreation and tourism management classes and complete a real-world, team capstone project such as a marketing plan or business assessment for an outdoor-related business, a tourism initiative for a small town or a business plan for a start-up.

 

What Can You Do With an Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Management Bachelor's Degree?

The outdoor recreation and tourism management program at the University of Wyoming allows you to listen to that inner voice goading you to spend a gap year on the river and make a career of it. The state of Wyoming is an outdoor recreation and tourism mecca that generates billions of dollars in revenue every year. This growing industry is hungry for bold leaders and creative thinkers who can manage that growth wisely while also opening the state's doors to newcomers eager to experience the arching plains and soaring mountains in our state.

The University of Wyoming outdoor recreation and tourism management degree program has been designed to lead to careers in the following areas:

  • Guest and hospitality services
  • Tourism management
  • Outdoor recreation enterprise
  • Environmental education
  • Outfitting and guiding services
  • Outdoor adventure enterprise
  • Resort or ranch management
  • Recreation planning for governments
  • Tour operation
  • Museum Management
  • Interpretation

  • Wyoming Game and Fish Department
  • Wyoming Department of Environmental Quality
  • Jackson Hole Mountain Resort
  • Three Rivers Forest Management
  • Devil's Thumb Ranch Resort & Spa

No outdoor experience? No problem! You don’t need any before enrolling in our Outdoor Recreation & Tourism Management program. Whether you're a seasoned explorer or just discovering your love for the outdoors, this degree is the perfect place to learn, grow and dive into exciting adventures!

The job outlook for outdoor recreation and tourism is looking great! With more people craving outdoor experiences, careers in this field are growing steadily. From park management to eco-tourism, there are tons of exciting paths—and the demand for knowledgeable leaders in this field is only going up!

That's Why It's Called "Laradise"

The University of Wyoming is a dream come true for outdoor lovers! With stunning mountains, rock formations, and trails just minutes from campus, adventure is always within reach. Whether it’s hiking, skiing, biking or climbing, there’s something to do every season. If you love the outdoors, this is your perfect playground! Check out UW's Outdoor Program to learn more about all the activities that are available right out your front door.

Learn More