In this study, we employ the travel cost method to assess the viability of agro-ecotourism in Yuanshan Township, located within the fragile Lanyang River watershed in northeastern Taiwan, which is characterized by climatic, geographical, and social vulnerabilities. Forest conservation and soil and water management in steep slope areas have emerged as viable adaptation strategies in response to the urgent challenges posed by climate change. Preserving forested land is a natural approach to climate change adaptation and represents a critical aspect of human–nature interactions. Government land-use regulations based on scientific classifications are adopted to balance the conservation of marginal forest lands and tilling of traditional agriculture by the local community. However, for long-term success, the self-sufficiency and livelihoods of local communities must be prioritized, especially since these communities heavily depend on local resources for their livelihoods. The study site demonstrates the success of agro-ecotourism, which allows visitors to also utilize local resources and is crucial for boosting the local economy. By applying the travel cost method, this study evaluates the economic value of local natural resources, highlighting that visitor expenditures reflect both recreational resource use and local adaptation measures. The findings indicate significant estimated recreational resource values of TWD 15,748.03 and 13,351.13 for two different count data models. The results suggest that sustainable local measures can enhance the economy while supporting residents' livelihoods through agro-ecotourism in Yuanshan Township.