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State analysis finds outdoor recreation a major Nevada industry; TravelNevada to build two adventure centers

Joint Interim Standing Committee on Natural Resources, Nevada Legislature · February 25, 2026

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Summary

ENDOR told lawmakers outdoor recreation contributes billions to Nevada’s economy and recommended grants and workforce investments; TravelNevada announced nearly $7 million to open two 'adventure centers' in Boulder City and Carson City, partly funded by an EDA grant.

The Division of Outdoor Recreation (ENDOR) told the committee a new economic analysis documents outdoor recreation as a major contributor to Nevada’s economy and urged expanded grant programs and workforce development. Denise Baroneo said the sector supports tens of thousands of jobs and generates substantial output and consumer-surplus value for residents.

"Outdoor recreation...is a $24,000,000,000 sector in Nevada," Baroneo said, describing job and GDP estimates and noting the state's funding for outdoor grants remains modest compared with peers. ENDOR recommended a core grant to support local stewardship and trail maintenance, investments in resilient infrastructure, and expansion of workforce pipelines via community-college and K–12 partnerships.

TravelNevada's Rafael Villanueva then described destination-development efforts and announced the agency will invest nearly $7 million to build two adventure centers, designed as hubs for trip planning, stewardship education, and local outfitter partnerships. "Travel Nevada is investing nearly $7,000,000 to build 2 adventure centers, 1 in Las Vegas and 1 in Reno in the Reno Tahoe area," he said; roughly $3.7 million of that funding comes from an earlier EDA grant. The centers aim to convert drive-market visitors into organized tours and more extended rural stays.

Why it matters: the combined presentations argue that outdoor recreation is central to Nevada’s economic diversification strategy and that state-directed investment and grant-making could expand benefits for rural gateway communities while managing natural-resource impacts.

Next steps: ENDOR and TravelNevada plan to advance grant programs, pursue federal and private funding for core grants and infrastructure, and recruit local partners and tour operators for the adventure centers ahead of planned openings this year and next.