New Federal Data: Wyoming's $2.3B Outdoor Recreation Impacts Albany County Gateways

At the Vee Bar Ranch in Albany County, horseback riding and trail access funnel tourist dollars into local businesses even as statewide totals climbed: Wyoming’s outdoor recreation industry produced $2.3 billion in 2024, equal to about 4.5 percent of the state’s GDP and the fifth-highest share among U.S. states. The figure, an increase over 2023, underscores the economic role of gateway communities that serve hunters, anglers, RV travelers and equestrian visitors.

Federal data capture two widely cited national measures that frame the state picture. The Bureau of Economic Analysis reports value added of the outdoor recreation economy at $696.7 billion, or 2.4 percent of U.S. GDP in 2024, while other summaries put national economic output tied to outdoor recreation at roughly $1.3 trillion supporting about 5.2 million jobs. At the state level, Wyoming’s 4.5 percent share places it among Mountain West leaders where recreation accounts for a larger slice of economic activity than the national average.

The local labor impact rose with the industry: employment tied to outdoor recreation increased from 15,798 jobs in 2023 to more than 16,500 in 2024, and Wyoming’s outdoor recreation compensation matched national growth, rising 5.2 percent since 2023. Activity-level contributors in Wyoming include hunting, shooting and trapping, which generated nearly $109 million in 2024, along with RVing, boating and fishing, horseback riding and snow activities including snowmobiling.

Dan McCoy, director of the Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute, framed the statewide benefits in community terms: “Outdoor recreation continues to generate meaningful economic benefits for Wyoming communities. Beyond GDP contributions, these numbers translate directly into employment, local business revenues, and investments that enhance the quality of life across both rural and gateway communities.” The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation’s manager Mark Tesoro emphasized scale: “Outdoor recreation continues to be a strong economic driver in Wyoming, with around 16,000 jobs and over a billion dollars of economic impact.”

State reporters and regional analysts also note a shift in momentum: growth slowed in 2024 as inflation, interest rates and shifting consumer behavior in the post-COVID recovery impacted participation. The BEA release was delayed because of the government shutdown last fall, adding a lag to the timing of policy and planning discussions that rely on these figures.

For Albany County gateway areas around Vee Bar Ranch, the new data provide concrete numbers for budgeting, trail and access planning, and workforce development. County leaders and business owners can use the BEA state tables and the WORTH Institute’s analyses to track trends in hunting revenue, equestrian activity and winter recreation as they plan investments that connect Albany County’s landscapes to the statewide $2.3 billion outdoor recreation economy.