Lander, Wyoming saw a surge in visitors in early 2020 as people looked for outdoor activities to do while feeling restless at home and trying to avoid getting sick. The Wind River mountains were particularly popular due to their scenic beauty and various outdoor activities.

This trend wasn’t limited to just Lander. Across the United States, the outdoor recreation sector has experienced significant growth since the start of the pandemic. New data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis shows that outdoor recreation contributed over $1 trillion in economic output in 2022, making it a significant force in the economy, accounting for 2.2% of national GDP.

While this growth presents an opportunity for local economies, many of them rely on public lands maintained by federal workers. There are concerns about the potential impact of a government shutdown on these areas, which could significantly affect mountain towns like Lander.

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