Millions of national park visitors generate economic opportunities for gateway communities, spending money that creates jobs and income. See the trends for every national park service unit.
Wyoming
The economic potential of the Great American Rail-Trail
Through 12 states and the District of Columbia, the Great American Rail-Trail® will attract 25.6 million trips and generate more than $229.4 million in spending.
Tension as Catalyst: Public Lands and the Rural West
View a presentation given at the Our America’s Rural Opportunity forum about the context of public lands and the rural west.
Building for Wildfire Summit: Understanding How Homes Burn
Video and highlights from an event that brought together diverse community leaders to explore practices for building fire-adapted communities.
Trail and Pathway Use in Jackson Hole, Wyoming
Explore seasonal use—including the amount, type, and timing—for 25 regional trails and pathways.
Yellowstone-Grand Teton Loop Bicycle Pathway Estimated Economic Impact
A 262-mile cycle touring loop connecting Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, with significant portions on non-motorized pathways, has the potential to generate important economic activity in the small communities through which it would pass. However, due to the challenges of estimating economic impact across a large area and areas close to national parks, the use and economic impact estimates are likely overstated.
Jackson Hole Pathways and Trails Survey
In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a random, statistically representative survey gathered information about residents’ opinions of pathways and trails, including levels and types of use, satisfaction, strengths and weaknesses, and the role the trail system plays in quality of life. The survey found that 91 percent of residents had used the trail system in the previous 12 months and the trail system functions well for recreation, but could use improvements to serve transportation needs.
Teton County Trails & Pathways Survey Shows Extensive Local Use
Survey shows that nine out of 10 respondents use the pathways and trails in Teton County, Wyoming. Such surveys help community leaders, stakeholders, and citizens plan for the future of pathways and trails systems.
Jackson Hole Trail Project Economic Impact Study
This study found that locals are the main beneficiary of the Teton County, Wyoming trail system, although visitors are increasingly enjoying area trails outside of Teton and Yellowstone National Parks. The economic impact of the trails may be significant, but is difficult to estimate without knowing how many visitors come to the area just for the trail system.
Teton-West Yellowstone Region Backcountry Winter Recreation Economic Impact Analysis
This study found that participants in backcountry, non-motorized winter recreation generate a substantial economic, employment, and fiscal impact in the Teton-West Yellowstone region. This is the only study we are aware of that assesses the impact of this type of recreation.
Community Economic Contributions from Recreational Trails Usage on Public Lands: Implications from a Comprehensive Wyoming Study
This study found that trail-related recreation on Wyoming’s 10,000 miles of trails, both motorized and non-motorized, generates substantial spending for local businesses and tax revenue for state and local governments. While off-road vehicle (ORV) and snowmobile users generate far more spending in this analysis, the incomplete assessment of non-motorized users makes it difficult to make comparisons of impact between motorized and non-motorized users.
Wyoming Oil Taxes: Highest Rate, Large Savings Compared to Other States
This report compares how Wyoming provides local governments with production tax revenue from unconventional fossil fuel extraction compared to other major energy-producing states.
West Is Best: Protected Lands Promote Wyoming Jobs and Higher Incomes
Wyoming is an economic leader and protected public lands help the state grow and diversify its economy.
Unconventional Oil and North Dakota Communities: State Fiscal Policy Unprepared for Impacts of Energy Development
This report analyzes the growing infrastructure and services needs of the Bakken boom and meeting the demands of unconventional energy development.
County Level Drilling Activity, 2001-2011
This report focuses on county-level details of drilling rig activity for the period 2001 to 2011 in the six Rocky Mountain oil and gas states of Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, North Dakota, Utah, and Wyoming.
Fossil Fuel Extraction and Western Economies
This study analyzes the fossil fuel economy in five Rocky Mountain states—CO, MT, NM, UT, and WY—and how states and communities can maximize benefits and minimize the costs of energy development.
Clean Energy Leadership in the Rockies: Competitive Positioning in the Emerging Green Economy
The Clean Energy report compares how Colorado, Montana, New Mexico, Utah and Wyoming are taking advantage of clean energy and energy efficiency opportunities to create green jobs.
Press Release: Clean Energy in the Rockies Report Released
Study Shows Which States Are Attracting Jobs, Businesses, and Investment; Five Key Steps to Future Growth
Impacts of Energy Development in Wyoming, with a Case Study of Sweetwater County
This report studies the significance of fossil fuel development in Wyoming, with a case study of the energy-focused county of Sweetwater County.