Valuing Outdoor recreation in Washington State
From hikes in the desert to a ski run down a mountain side to clam digging at the ocean, Washington State residents have numerous choices when deciding what to do outside. The state’s rich outdoor recreation choices also provide jobs to many families and businesses. This study quantifies the contribution of outdoor recreation to Washington State’s economy and way of life.
Our economic analysis informed residents and stakeholders of the value of sustaining an outdoor recreation economy in Washington State to create more jobs, preserve green space, and maintain an active livelihood.
Map: Recreational Land Types in Washington State
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Recreational Land types in Washington State
The recreational lands studied here are federal and state managed lands, public waters, county and city lands (referred to as “local”), public lands used for special events, and a set of private lands and activities for which data was available. Land types included:
Federal Lands
State Lands
Public Waters
Local Lands
Private Lands
Note: The study is not exhaustive of all the spaces available for outdoor recreation. Certain categories of lands had more data limitations than others.
a day out at mount rainier: An Illustrative story
Sarah sets out for a day hike in Mount Rainier National Park and stops to purchase some supplies. On her way out of Seattle, she spends $20 to put enough gas in her car to drive up and back. This money not only supports the gas station and its employees, but all the businesses the gas station buys from and the fees and taxes it has to pay. The transportation and refining may be done by Washington businesses, but the oil will have to be imported from out of state.
As Sarah gets closer to Mount Rainier her stomach rumbles and she realizes she left her lunch at home! Fortunately, she finds a grocery store as she is driving through Graham. She purchases a sandwich, a bag of chips, an apple, and a drink ($13). Again, while a portion of her spending stays within the local economy, much of it goes to out-of-state wholesale suppliers and transport services. Sarah also realizes that the weather is going to be cooler than she anticipated; she stops at a shop and buys a warm hat to wear on her hike ($12).
Now that she is fully prepared, Sarah drives to the park entrance and purchases a park pass for the day ($10). After consulting maps, Sarah hikes nine miles, enjoying the beautiful views, sounds, and smells of alpine meadows and mountain vistas. Sarah is grateful that she can have this kind of experience only a few hours from her home in a bustling city. Only here, can she decompress from all the cares and concerns of her busy life in Seattle.
At the end of the day, Sarah returns to her apartment in Seattle feeling rejuvenated. She has spent $55 on the day trip. However, the enjoyment she experiences on her trip cannot be measured merely by the amount she spent on the trip; connecting with nature and recreating in the mountains is part of the reason she lives in Washington State.
Recreational Land types in Washington State
The recreational lands studied here are federal and state managed lands, public waters, county and city lands (referred to as “local”), public lands used for special events, and a set of private lands and activities for which data was available. The study is not exhaustive of all the spaces available for outdoor recreation. Certain categories of lands had more data limitations than others.
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