Outdoor Recreation Boosts Wis. Economy by $11.2B, Report Says
rec industry grows faster than overall state economy
V1 Staff, photos by Andrea Paulseth
Every time you strap on snowshoes, fire up your ice fishing auger, buy a hunting license, or ski, bike, hike, or ATV on one of the Badger State’s many miles of trails, you’re boosting the state’s ever-growing outdoor recreation industry.
That industry contributes $11.2 billion to Wisconsin’s gross domestic product annually, the state announced in December. According to numbers crunched by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, outdoor recreation’s impact grew 9.4% to set an all-time record in 2023.
Outdoor recreation accounts for nearly 3% of the state’s GDP, supporting nearly 97,000 jobs and $5.4 billion in employee compensation, the BEA data stated.
“From our vast and valuable forests and pristine lakes and rivers to Driftless bluffs, vibrant prairies, and urban green spaces, our outdoor recreation spaces are the gems of our state, and no matter where you go in Wisconsin, you’re never very far from a park or trail,” Gov. Tony Evers said in a media release. “Not only is outdoor recreation good for our mental and physical health, it’s also a powerful economic engine that supports thousands of jobs and families across Wisconsin, bolsters local economies, and attracts visitors, businesses, and new residents alike. As we prepare for the 2025-27 budget, my administration and I will continue our efforts to make targeted investments to ensure our outdoor recreation spaces are available to be enjoyed today, tomorrow, and for generations yet to come.”
“Outdoor recreation is a powerful tool to create vibrant and thriving communities, to improve the health of our residents, and to drive economic impact statewide.” –Cassie Mordini, Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation
In 2019, Evers created the Office of Outdoor Recreation at the Wisconsin Department of Tourism to serve as a central hub for the outdoor recreation industry, working with stakeholders and providing resources to bolster Wisconsin as a top outdoor recreation destination.
“Outdoor recreation is a powerful tool to create vibrant and thriving communities, to improve the health of our residents, and to drive economic impact statewide,” Office of Outdoor Recreation Director Cassie Mordini said. “This growing sector has shown its resiliency in the face of challenges by continuing to grow, and our charge is to harness this potential for Wisconsin.”
According to the report, top contributing sectors of the state’s outdoor recreation industry included:
- Multi-use apparel and accessories: $1.3 billion
- Motorcycling/ATVing: $1.1 billion
- Boating/fishing: $928 million
- RVing: $464 million
- Games Areas: $499 million
- Guided Tours/Outfitted Travel: $450 million
- Hunting/Shooting: $320 million
- Bicycling: $157 million
Nationally, the outdoor rec industry grew to $1.2 trillion in gross output. The 9.4% growth in the outdoor recreation industry in Wisconsin outpaced the national average, which was 9%, as well as the overall state economy, which grew by 6.9% in 2023.
Learn more at the Office of Outdoor Recreation’s website.
