New economic data shows outdoor recreation continues to grow as one of Wisconsin’s strongest industries, contributing more than $12 billion to the state’s economy and supporting more than 100,000 jobs, according to federal economic analysis reported by Wisconsin Public Radio.
Communities across the state are seeing the impact locally. Outdoor recreation assets such as mountain biking, paddling, hiking, and skiing generate significant visitor activity in Marathon County. Nine Mile County Forest alone produces an estimated $3.25 million in annual economic impact.
Tourism data from Visit Wausau’s analytics platform Zartico, meanwhile, shows more than 1.2 million visitors engaged in outdoor recreation in the region over the past year, with visitors traveling from markets such as Chicago, Milwaukee, Madison, Minneapolis-St. Paul, and Green Bay. Over 45% of visitors to the region are from out of state.
“Outdoor recreation is one of the most powerful economic drivers we have,” said Tim White, Executive Director of Visit Wausau. “People come here to ride trails, paddle rivers, and explore our natural spaces, and those visitors support local hotels, restaurants, and businesses.”
Visit Wausau promotes the region as “Wisconsin’s Basecamp,” highlighting its combination of outdoor recreation, arts, culture, and urban amenities.
