The Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund Board has awarded over $1.9 million in grants for outdoor recreation and tourism infrastructure projects across 15 counties. The board received 86 applications, totaling over $10 million, and selected 21 projects to receive funding.

Local Projects Receive Funding

Lovell, a small town on the eastern edge of the Bighorn Mountains, received the largest award of $300,000 to build roughly half of its trails project in Big Horn County. The project will create 26 new miles of non-motorized trails in Cottonwood Canyon, which is easily accessible and features stunning views of the surrounding mountains and river.

The town of Lovell has been working on the trails project since 2022, when it hired a mountain bike trails consultant to identify ideal locations for the project. The consultant recommended Cottonwood Canyon, which offers good grades for trails and an existing campground.

Benefits of Outdoor Recreation

Wyoming’s outdoor recreation economy has been growing in recent years, with the industry generating $2.3 billion in 2024. This represents 4.5% of the state’s gross domestic product, making Wyoming one of the top five states in the country for outdoor recreation.

The Outdoor Recreation Trust Fund was created in 2023 to provide a dedicated funding source for outdoor recreation infrastructure. The fund aims to help build, improve, and design projects that draw Wyoming’s outdoor enthusiasts to new areas.

The board’s first application process opened in February, and the selected projects will improve public access, enhance recreation experiences, protect natural resources, and strengthen tourism economies and communities throughout Wyoming.

Original reporting: Oil City News (Casper WY) — read the source article.