Record-breaking Year for Outdoor Recreation

Outdoor recreation continues to be a force for Wisconsin's economy, contributing a record-breaking $11.2 billion and employing more than 96,000 Wisconsinites in 2023. Growth of the state's outdoor industry surpassed the national average and the overall state economy. Nearly every sector grew. See the latest economic impact numbers.​​

Outdoor Rec Inventory

Tap into the economic potential of outdoor recreation with the Wisconsin Outdoor Recreation Inventory. Browse the outdoor recreation offerings via the Wisconsin Explorer Tool, an interactive map, or download the free data to utilize in your own project or map. Learn more. ​​​​

The Office is on LinkedIn

The Office is now on LinkedIn! Follow the page for news, tips, funding notices, networking opportunities, Wisconsin outdoor rec jobs and more. See the profile.​​​​​ ​

Business Directory

We're growing the Outdoor Business Directory. Add or search for Wisconsin outdoor manufacturers, guides, organizations, agencies and more. Search the listings or submit a request to add or update your organization​'s information.​

​​​​Uniting an Industry

The Office of Outdoor Recreation acts as a central hub for Wisconsin’s outdoor industry, drawing connections between the brands that call Wisconsin home, the outdoor recreation activities they support and the communities in which we recreate. 

With over 15,000 lakes, 84,000 miles of rivers and streams and 6 million acres of public land, Wisconsin's natural assets are remarkable. It’s no wonder outdoor recreation is a top reason people visit Wisconsin, as well as a key factor in relocation, second home purchases and business attraction. There is a direct connection between these natural resources, how we enjoy them, and the economic health and overall well-being of our state and its residents. The Office of Outdoor Recreation works with partners to support and uplift this essential industry.
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Let's Connect

Find out how to sign up for our monthly newsletter, request a meeting or presentation from the Director and more. Learn How​. 

Use the business directory to find outdoor recreation industry businesses and organizations across Wisconsin. Search the directory or add your organization​.



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Aligning Around Four Key Tenets

The Office partners with a variety of stakeholders to create engagement and alignment around four key tenets:



​I​nvite residents, visitors, businesses, and workforce talent to live, work and play in Wisconsin – to experience the state’s natural places and vast outdoor recreation offerings – to stimulate economic development.





Connect people to Wisconsin’s natural places and outdoor recreation opportunities through access and education with a focus on inclusion.






Thrive when active lifestyles and outdoor recreation are promoted to create healthy individuals and communities.





Sustain Wisconsin’s invaluable natural assets by encouraging outdoor recreation, the connection to place and the preservation of healthy lands and waters.​


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