Outdoor recreation is a major economic driver for Wisconsin. From tourism to manufacturing to retailers and outfitters, it is a job-supporting industry that provides the quality of life Wisconsin residents enjoy. The following economic reports that detail the impacts of Wisconsin's outdoor recreation industry were produced by Headwaters Economics, a leading independent, bipartisan and nonprofit research firm.
Key Findings
- $8.7 billion contributed to the state’s gross domestic product
- 89,360 jobs across diverse sectors
- $4.3 billion in compensation provided to Wisconsinites
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Wisconsin is a national powerhouse in outdoor recreation manufacturing
Other Highlights
In 2020, the Office released a first-of-its-kind report that provided a comprehensive review of the economic impact of outdoor recreation industry in Wisconsin. Several studies showed impacts of outoor recreation are significant drivers of local economies, too.
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17 million visits annually to the Wisconsin State Park System drive more than $1 billion in spending per year. (In 2020, park visits increased by over 20% to 21 million.)
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Driftless Wisconsin’s Kickapoo Water Trail attracts 16,000 paddler visits per year that generate $1.2 million.
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The 47-mile Cheese Country Trail – an ATV/UTV trail in southwest Wisconsin – attracts 98,000 visits that create more than $15 million in spending in the area.
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Silent sports enthusiasts spend about $14.7 million per year in Ashland, Bayfield, and Sawyer counties.