The Economic Impact of Outdoor Adventure

Adventure assets have made millions in these five towns

Adventure is an economic asset - and these towns know it. (Photo: Daniel Holtz/Tandem)

Published August 15, 2018 12:00AM

What kind of return on investment can a town expect from its outdoor investments? We crunched the numbers to find out.

Boone, North Carolina

Asset: Pump track
Name: Rocky Knob Mountain Bike Park
Economic impact: $2.7 million in 2013

Asset: Man-made ice-climbing routes
Name: Ouray Ice Park
Economic impact: $3 million in the 2016–17 season

Asset: Natural sandstone cliffs
Name: Daniel Boone National Forest
Economic impact: $3.8 million in 2015

Asset: Whitewater park and adventure complex
Name: Riversport Rapids
Economic impact: $5.5 million on average per year

Asset: Mountain-bike race and ultramarathon
Name: Leadville Race Series
Economic impact: $15 million in 2012