More than 2 million people visit the Flaming Gorge National Recreation Area south of here each year, and the numbers rise annually, Green River and Rock Springs officials said.
And officials in the two cities said they hope to continue working to increase tourism to the area, which offers a nationally recognized fishery and other recreational activities."We certainly feel there's room for much, much more (tourism) growth at the Flaming Gorge," said Pat Robbins, director of the Green River Chamber of Commerce. "We're not up to our potential by any stretch."
The 90-mile reservoir stretching across the Wyoming-Utah state line attracts tourists from all over the world. The Flaming Gorge Dam was completed in 1964 as a power production and flood control project.
Tourists to the area spend about $85 million a year and contribute about $4 million to state and Sweetwater County tax revenues.
"We really receive positive comments from tourists who drive by and say, `I loved the Flaming Gorge; it wasn't crowded and we saw a lot of wildlife and spectacular scenery,' " Robbins said. "We just need to get the word out, and that's what we're trying to do."
She said the chambers of commerce in Green River and Rock Springs participate in sports and travel shows across the region to promote the recreation area.
And she said the efforts appeared to be working. In the past year, tourism at the area has increased 11 percent, accounting for the highest increase at any tourism attraction in Wyoming.
She said much of the increase stems from travelers who stop on their way to Yellowstone National Park and Jackson.
The two cities, Sweetwater County and the U.S. Forest Service have been working to expand services in the area to accommodate the increase in visitors.