Outdoor Recreation & Tourism Trust Fund

The Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund (ORTTF) is a long-term investment established by the State of Wyoming to support the planning, development, improvement, and maintenance of outdoor recreation infrastructure across the state. The fund is designed to help communities enhance public access to outdoor recreation opportunities while strengthening Wyoming’s outdoor recreation and tourism economy.

ORTTF was created through legislative action to provide a sustainable, dedicated funding source for outdoor recreation infrastructure. The trust fund structure was established by the Wyoming Legislature in 2023 through House Bill 74, which created the permanent trust and associated income account in statute. In 2024, the Legislature passed House Bill 67 to establish the program’s administrative framework, governance structure, and grant authority. Both measures were signed into law by Mark Gordon, reflecting strong executive and legislative support for long-term investment in outdoor recreation and tourism.

ORTTF funding is intended for outdoor recreation infrastructure projects—facilities and installations that improve public access to Wyoming’s outdoor resources and support safe, high-quality recreation experiences. Eligible uses include:

Planning and design of outdoor recreation infrastructure
Improvement, renovation, or maintenance of existing facilities
Development of new infrastructure that enhances access and user experience
Purchase of public access easements when needed to support recreational access

Funding Sources and Stewardship

The trust fund is supported by biennial legislative appropriations from the Wyoming tourism reserve and projects account, which is funded through the statewide lodging tax. The fund may also receive direct legislative appropriations and may accept federal grants and other contributions, including grants, gifts, transfers, bequests, donations of money or personal property, and certain real property interests, as authorized by law.

This structure reflects Wyoming’s recognition that outdoor recreation and tourism are closely linked and that investments in recreation infrastructure directly support residents' quality of life, visitor readiness, local economies, and community vitality.

ORTTF represents a collaborative effort among the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation and the Wyoming Office of Tourism, aligning outdoor recreation planning with the statewide tourism strategy and economic development goals.

Oversight and Administration

The ORTTF is overseen by a nine-member board appointed by the Governor and confirmed by the Wyoming Senate, with representation from across the state. The board is responsible for establishing grant priorities, approving awards, and ensuring funds are used in accordance with state law.

The program is administered in coordination with the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation within the Wyoming Department of State Parks & Cultural Resources, reflecting Wyoming’s integrated approach to outdoor recreation, public lands access, and tourism development.

Next Board Meeting

April 28th and 29th

Location: Saratoga, Wy

Past Board Meeting Materials

Why ORTTF Matters

Outdoor recreation is a defining part of Wyoming’s identity and economy. As visitation and recreation demand continue to grow, communities need tools to responsibly plan for infrastructure that supports safe, accessible, and high-quality outdoor experiences. The Wyoming Outdoor Recreation and Tourism Trust Fund helps meet that need, supporting projects that benefit residents, welcome visitors, and protect the outdoor places that make Wyoming unique.

Grant Timeline

The application opens on February 25, 2026, and the submission deadline is April 11, 2026, at 5:00 pm MST.

The awarding period will be in July of 2026 for small projects and in the Spring of 2027 for large projects.

Grant Guidelines & Applicaiton

The following entities are eligible to apply for the grant:

Governmental entities
The Eastern Shoshone and Northern Arapaho Tribal Nations (or a cooperative tribal governing body)
Non-profit organizations

How to Apply:

To apply, please submit the Application Form (found below) along with any required or supplemental materials—such as photos, project plans, or other supporting documents to wyorec@wyo.gov. You will receive an email confirming that your application has been received.

Please direct any questions to brynn.hirschman@wyo.gov.

Application Timeline:

The grant application period is open for 45 days.

Applications Open: February 25, 2026
Applications Close: April 11, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. MST

Criteria for potential projects:

Successful applications will demonstrate a balance of socioeconomic, cultural, and natural and wildlife resource conservation while promoting sustainable outdoor recreation infrastructure development.

The project must be located in Wyoming and consist of permanent, publicly accessible outdoor recreation or tourism infrastructure that engages both communities and visitors.

Project Classifications:

The selection process follows the Grant Scoring Rubric (found below). Projects are categorized by their total funding amount—including the current request and any previous awards under this act: