Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research, University of Montana

Have a community project idea, but are not sure how to shape, explain, or prepare it for funding? We've created TWO free virtual opportunities designed to help rural Montana communities develop stronger, more fundable projects.

GET GRANT READY - This is a FREE, one-hour virtual workshop that helps you turn a project idea into a clear, actionable plan and prepare it for grant funding using a practical project-development template. This workshop is open to anyone!
WHEN: October 1, 2026, 11:00a.m. (MST) [Registration Link in the Bio]

PROJECT PITCH FEST - This is a FREE virtual coaching opportunity for selected rural Montana communities, offering one-on-one guidance and expert feedback to help individuals refine a project idea, strengthen their story, and prepare for funding.

- Must be a rural, underserved Montana community with a population under 5,000. Project should be focused on nature, outdoor recreation or a community initiative. Must be registered for and attend the Get Grant Ready Workshop.

- APPLICATIONS DUE: September 21, 2026 (5:00 p.m. MST) - Five qualified communities will be selected and notified by September 24. [Application Link in the Bio]

- October 1, 2026: Attend Get Grant Ready Workshop
- October 5: Optional Meet & Greet Brainstorm Session
- October 7-13: Two One-on-One Coaching Sessions
- October 15: Project Pitch Fest with the Community Cohort and advising experts from 12:30–3:00p.m. (MST)

Co-Hosted by Outdoor Community Partners and Heart of the Rockies Initiative

Sponsored by Trust for Public Land, Institute for Tourism & Recreation Research, University of Montana, First Security Bank Missoula

We are hiringggg! Interested in contributing to travel and recreation research? Join our survey team!

We have part-time positions open in these locations:

- Shelby Area
- Glasgow Area
- Flathead/Kalispell Area
- Bozeman Area

As a surveyor, you'll conduct nonresident visitor surveys and resident travel and recreation surveys, gathering insights on people's travel experiences across Montana.

If you enjoy exploring new places and connecting with new people, this could be the perfect fit for you!

👉 Find position details and application instructions on our website: https://www.umt.edu/tourism-recreation-research/employment/employment-public.php

NEW REPORT RELEASE 🚨 – Montana’s Outfitting Industry - 2024 Economic Contribution and Industry-Client Analysis

What does Montana's outfitting and guiding industry look like today?

This report explores who Montana's outfitters and guides are, the trips and clients they serve, the industry's economic contribution to the state, and the operational challenges — from workforce shortages to environmental pressures — that could shape its future.

Explore the report: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/itrr_pubs/507/

Photo: Montana Department of Commerce

Montana tourism spending reaches $5.6 billion despite fewer visitors in 2025 Montana saw fewer visitors last year, but people who did come spent more, according to new research from the University of Montana's Institute for Tourism and R

Money spent by travelers in Montana doesn't stay in one place. It has a direct effect on the businesses where it's spent, then ripples throughout the state's economy, from gateway communities to rural areas.

Statewide, spending by nonresident visitors (averaged over 2024 and 2025) totaled $5.36 billion.

Together, Glacier Country and Yellowstone Country account for approximately 58% of all nonresident visitor spending in Montana, underscoring the continued importance of the state's iconic parks while also highlighting the broad economic benefits that extend to rural communities across the state.

Want to learn more? Check out the full "Economic Contribution of 2024/2025 Averaged Nonresident Travel Spending in Montana Travel Regions and Counties" report: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/itrr_pubs/506/

NOTE: ITRR generates spending estimates based on primary and secondary data. Survey data collected statewide throughout the year provide insight into average spending patterns and dollar amounts by travel group. This data, combined with estimates of total visitation to the state, allows for the statewide, regional, and county spending estimates to be produced.

What is the impact of meeting and convention tourism in Montana?

Join us virtually @ 12 PM on July 21st for a recap of ITRR's latest research on Montana’s meetings and conventions industry. We’ll explore the state’s convention capacity, economic impacts, seasonal trends, and opportunities for growth, drawing on insights from event planners, hoteliers, and industry stakeholders.

Register here: c0b529cd-69e0-4ae1-8a00-29cc74af4a59@68407ce5-03da-49ff-af0a-724be0d37c9d" rel="ugc" target="_blank">https://events.teams.microsoft.com/event/c0b529cd-69e0-4ae1-8a00-29cc74af4a59@68407ce5-03da-49ff-af0a-724be0d37c9d

Our Bob Marshall Wilderness project has officially kicked off for the summer! 🌲

ITRR is partnering with the Bob Marshall Wilderness Foundation (BMWF) on two projects within the Wilderness this season.

The first is a counting project estimating the Wilderness's economic contribution and its impact on Montana's economy. We've got vehicle counters placed across the Bob and surveyors intercepting visitors at popular trailheads to gather the data.

The second ties into a graduate thesis from our own grad student, Rachel! She's studying the motivations of trail maintenance volunteers who work with BMWF. In mid-June, Rachel put her research into practice by joining a week-long BMWF trail maintenance trip and working alongside 6 other volunteers to clear 80 trees along a stretch of the Continental Divide Trail (CDT) in the Bob!

NEW REPORT RELEASE 🚨 – Canyon Ferry Reservoir: A Regional Recreation System in Montana

What does recreation use look like at Canyon Ferry? 🎣

Using visitor surveys, automated counts, and field observations from 2025, this study examines visitor profiles, travel patterns, infrastructure demands, and visitor satisfaction at Canyon Ferry.

Explore the report: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/itrr_pubs/504/

Photo: Montana Department of Commerce

The numbers are in! In 2025, 13.2 million visitors came to Montana (4% decrease from 2024), and they spent an estimated $5.6 billion.

Want to learn more about the 2025 Montana travel industry? Check out the infographic here: https://scholarworks.umt.edu/itrr_pubs/502/