Utahns can save gas and find plenty to do for in-state vacations
Here in Utah participation is even higher.
According to the latest findings of the Outdoor Industry Foundations, because of the range of activities, the quality and the "exceptional close-to-home" recreational opportunities, Utah has one of the highest participation rates in the country.
All this outdoor activity also contributes substantially to Utah's economy. Numbers from the latest foundation study shows outdoor recreation:
• Contributes $5.8 billion annually to the Utah economy.
• Supports 65,000 jobs.
• Generates nearly $300 million in annual sales tax revenue.
• Produces nearly $4 billion annually in retail sales services.
Broken down by activities and participation numbers, the study found here in Utah:
• Bicycling — 409,425 participants (25 percent of the population), to include paved and off-road riding.
• Camping — 761,579 participants (46 percent of the population), to include RV, tent and rustic lodging.
• Fishing — 375,196 participants (21 percent of the population), to include fly fishing and spin-casting.
• Paddling — 246,132 participants (15 percent of the population), to include kayaking, rafting and canoeing.
• Snow sports — 310,393 participants (19 percent of the population), to include downhill, snowboarding, cross country and snowshoeing.
• Trail — 714,023 participants (43 percent of the population), to include trail running, day hiking, backpacking and rock climbing.
• Wildlife viewing — 562,000 participants (32 percent of the population), to include watching birds and wildlife.
How do these numbers compare with other states? In Colorado, more people bike (35 percent), but fewer camp (28 percent). In California, fewer camp (18 percent) and fewer hike (34 percent). In Idaho, about the same percentage camp (45 percent), but fewer hike (33 percent); and in Wyoming, about the same number camp (40 percent), but far fewer engage in paddling activities (9 percent).
As the report made note of, Utahns are lucky in that they have a wide range of activities to choose from, and many are close by.
For example:
• There are more than 400 miles of raftable rivers.
• Roughly 23 percent of the state is high-elevation country, featuring some of the most majestic mountains anywhere, and probably twice that amount of country is rugged, rocky desert-like area.
Recent comments
my bicycle and hiking a lot up on the mountains...
I'm riding... | June 19, 2008 at 8:56 p.m.
Do you have any archelogical evidence that there is Mormon bashing...
Re: don't forget | June 19, 2008 at 5:59 p.m.
Don't forget one of the most popular in state activities ever...
Don't forget | June 19, 2008 at 5:50 p.m.
