Numbers Confirm Resounding Popularity Of Outdoor Recreation

NUMBERS CONFIRM RESOUNDING POPULARITY OF OUTDOOR RECREATION

Every year, 95% of Wisconsinites participate in some form of outdoor recreation, according to DNR survey data.

With 49 state parks, 15 state forests, 44 state trails, 84,000 miles of rivers and streams and roughly 15,000 lakes, Wisconsin offers residents and visitors countless opportunities to Find Your Adventure.

During the ongoing pandemic, people are heading outdoors more than ever to help their physical and mental health.

Every park pass, boat and ATV registration, camping reservation, fishing license and harvest authorization helps the DNR live out its mission of protecting and enhancing Wisconsin’s invaluable natural resources for generations to come.

Here’s a roundup of outdoor recreation activity in the state for the past three years. Remember to renew your licenses and purchase the 2022 state park pass.

PASS STATE PARK VISITORS

2019: 15,235,609

2020: 17,461,623

2021: 18,473,302

STATE PARK PASSES SOLD

2019: 307,688

2020: 714,942

2021: 438,698

STATE PARKS NIGHTS CAMPED

2019: 415,222

2020: 421,397

2021: 543,470

FISHING LICENSES

2019: 1,016,322

2020: 1,084,104

2021: 1,043,895

SPRING TURKEY LICENSES

2019: 86,043

2020: 90,313

2021: 89,434

Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, 2019-2023,” Bureau of Customer and Outreach Services and Bureau of Parks and Recreation Management. Statistics for state park visitors, park pass sales and nights camped at state parks are Jan. 1-Sept. 30 each year. Fishing and spring turkey license statistics are Jan. 1-Labor Day.

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