While a day on the trail might feel like an escape from the economy, the staggering $639.5 billion outdoor recreation industry is actually a powerful and growing economic force, supporting nearly 5 million jobs and proving that our love for nature is also a major driver of prosperity in every single state.
Key Takeaways
- Outdoor recreation accounted for 2.3 percent ($639.5 billion) of current-dollar GDP for the nation in 2022
- The outdoor recreation economy grew 6.7 percent from 2021 to 2022
- Outdoor recreation value added increased in all 50 states from 2021 to 2022
- 57.1% of Americans participated in outdoor recreation at least once in 2022
- Total outdoor recreation participation reached 175.8 million participants in 2022
- Hiking saw 58.4 million participants aged 6+ in 2022
- Outdoor recreation supported 4.8 million jobs in 2022
- Outdoor recreation jobs grew 2.9% from 2021 to 2022 nationally
- Pennsylvania had 244,000 outdoor recreation jobs in 2022
- Total outdoor recreation spending was $862.2 billion in 2022
- Retail sales for outdoor gear reached $28.9 billion in 2022
- Apparel and footwear spending in outdoor retail was $19.4 billion in 2022
- Outdoor participation grew nearly 3% post-pandemic through 2022
- Youth participation up 2.5 million since 2021 in 2022
- People of color participation increased 4 million in 2022
The outdoor recreation industry is a massive and growing part of the American economy.
Economic Impact
1Outdoor recreation accounted for 2.3 percent ($639.5 billion) of current-dollar GDP for the nation in 2022
Verified2The outdoor recreation economy grew 6.7 percent from 2021 to 2022
Verified3Outdoor recreation value added increased in all 50 states from 2021 to 2022
Verified4In 2022, outdoor recreation contributed $124.4 billion to Pennsylvania's GDP
Directional5California's outdoor recreation GDP was $118.0 billion in 2022
Single source6Outdoor recreation represented 6.0 percent of Colorado's GDP in 2022
Verified7Florida's outdoor recreation economy was $62.7 billion in 2022
Verified8Wyoming's outdoor recreation share of GDP was 10.7 percent in 2022
Verified9Montana's outdoor recreation GDP was $5.4 billion, representing 12.2 percent in 2022
Directional10Vermont's outdoor recreation economy contributed 9.3 percent to GDP in 2022
Single source11Outdoor recreation GDP grew by 12.5 percent in Hawaii from 2021 to 2022
Verified12New York's outdoor recreation value added was $39.1 billion in 2022
Verified13Texas outdoor recreation GDP reached $52.4 billion in 2022
Verified14Oregon's share was 7.9 percent of GDP from outdoor recreation in 2022
Directional15Utah's outdoor recreation economy was $12.6 billion in 2022
Single source16Maine's outdoor recreation contributed 10.4 percent to GDP in 2022
Verified17Washington's outdoor recreation GDP was $29.7 billion in 2022
Verified18Idaho's share reached 9.2 percent of GDP in 2022
Verified19Michigan's outdoor recreation economy was $24.3 billion in 2022
Directional20Alaska's outdoor recreation represented 8.5 percent of GDP in 2022
Single source21Wisconsin's value added from outdoor recreation was $18.7 billion in 2022
Verified22Nevada's outdoor recreation GDP grew to $9.1 billion in 2022
Verified23New Mexico's share was 6.3 percent in 2022
Verified24Arizona's outdoor recreation economy was $22.4 billion in 2022
Directional25Minnesota's contribution was 5.8 percent of GDP in 2022
Single source26The total U.S. outdoor recreation GDP was $639.5 billion in 2022
VerifiedEconomic Impact Interpretation
In a powerful testament to our national need for open air and escape, the outdoor recreation industry's $639.5 billion GDP contribution in 2022 proves that America's economic engine isn't just humming in factories and offices, but also on trails, lakes, and mountain tops from sea to shining sea.
Employment
1Outdoor recreation supported 4.8 million jobs in 2022
Verified2Outdoor recreation jobs grew 2.9% from 2021 to 2022 nationally
Verified3Pennsylvania had 244,000 outdoor recreation jobs in 2022
Verified4California employed 944,000 in outdoor recreation in 2022
Directional5Colorado's outdoor jobs numbered 152,000 in 2022
Single source6Florida supported 430,000 outdoor recreation jobs in 2022
Verified7Wyoming had 20,000 outdoor jobs, 6.3% of total employment in 2022
Verified8Montana's outdoor employment was 29,000 jobs in 2022
Verified9Vermont employed 18,000 in outdoor recreation in 2022
Directional10Hawaii's outdoor jobs grew to 44,000 in 2022
Single source11New York had 340,000 outdoor recreation jobs in 2022
Verified12Texas supported 460,000 outdoor jobs in 2022
Verified13Oregon's outdoor employment was 118,000 in 2022
Verified14Utah had 78,000 outdoor recreation jobs in 2022
Directional15Maine employed 38,000 in outdoor sectors in 2022
Single source16Washington's outdoor jobs reached 208,000 in 2022
Verified17Idaho supported 51,000 outdoor recreation jobs in 2022
Verified18Michigan had 198,000 outdoor jobs in 2022
Verified19Alaska's outdoor employment was 28,000 jobs in 2022
Directional20Wisconsin employed 142,000 in outdoor recreation in 2022
Single source21Nevada had 78,000 outdoor jobs in 2022
Verified22New Mexico supported 48,000 outdoor recreation jobs in 2022
Verified23Arizona's outdoor employment was 164,000 in 2022
Verified24Minnesota had 152,000 outdoor jobs in 2022
Directional25Outdoor recreation compensation was $460.2 billion in 2022
Single sourceEmployment Interpretation
While the boardrooms of America fret over the latest tech trends, the nation's true economic engine might just be its 4.8 million-strong workforce who are too busy hiking, fishing, and paddling to notice they're propping up a $460 billion industry.
Participation
157.1% of Americans participated in outdoor recreation at least once in 2022
Verified2Total outdoor recreation participation reached 175.8 million participants in 2022
Verified3Hiking saw 58.4 million participants aged 6+ in 2022
Verified4Bicycling participation was 47.3 million in 2022
Directional5Camping (RV/tent) had 49.0 million participants in 2022
Single source6Fishing participation reached 40.9 million in 2022
Verified7Running/jogging/trail running had 52.4 million participants in 2022
Verified8Kayaking/stand-up paddling saw 25.1 million participants in 2022
Verified9Day hiking participation was 54.4 million in 2022
Directional10Bird/nature watching had 66.4 million participants in 2022
Single source11Walking/hiking for fitness reached 66.1 million in 2022
Verified12Motorcycling/ATV/Dirt biking participation was 17.8 million in 2022
Verified13Snow skiing/snowboarding had 14.1 million participants in 2022
Verified14Youth participation (ages 6-17) increased to 52% in 2022
Directional15Gen Z participation rate was 58% in 2022
Single source16Millennial participation reached 59% in 2022
Verified17Hispanic/Latino participation grew 6% to 55% in 2022
Verified18Black/African American participation increased 7% to 42% in 2022
Verified1948% of Gen X participated in 2022
Directional2049% of Boomers participated outdoors in 2022
Single source21Urban dwellers participation was 54% in 2022
Verified22Suburban participation rate 58% in 2022
Verified23Rural participation highest at 62% in 2022
Verified24Snowshoeing participation grew 4.4% in 2022
Directional25Backpacking increased 2.1% to 8.1 million in 2022
Single sourceParticipation Interpretation
It seems America is collectively voting with its feet, as a clear majority from every corner are trading screens for scenes, proving that the call of the wild is now a mainstream, multi-generational shout.
Spending
1Total outdoor recreation spending was $862.2 billion in 2022
Verified2Retail sales for outdoor gear reached $28.9 billion in 2022
Verified3Apparel and footwear spending in outdoor retail was $19.4 billion in 2022
Verified4Equipment spending totaled $28.9 billion across categories in 2022
Directional5Travel-related outdoor spending was $129.5 billion in 2021
Single source6Americans spent $54.4 billion on public lands recreation trips in 2021
Verified7RV camping market spending exceeded $10 billion in 2022
Verified8Fishing gear spending was $12.5 billion annually pre-2022
Verified9Cycling equipment sales hit $6.5 billion in 2021
Directional10Skiing and snowboarding gear spending $3.2 billion in 2022
Single source11Hiking footwear market $4.1 billion in 2022
Verified12Camping equipment sales $8.7 billion in 2022
Verified13Paddlesports gear spending $2.9 billion in 2022
Verified14Climbing gear market $1.2 billion in 2022
Directional15Golf equipment spending $7.8 billion in 2022
Single source16Total outdoor retail sales projected $35 billion in 2023
Verified17Fees and permits for public lands recreation $4.5 billion annually
Verified18Hunting license spending $1.1 billion in 2021
Verified19Birdwatching gear and trips $41 billion economic impact
Directional20Outdoor music festival spending $2.3 billion in 2022
Single source21Adventure travel market $302 billion globally, US share 25%
Verified22Outdoor fitness equipment $1.8 billion in 2022
Verified23Total trip-related spending on outdoor rec $171 billion in 2022
VerifiedSpending Interpretation
It seems Americans have decided that the best way to save the planet is to first buy a stunning array of gear to look at it, drive enormous vehicles to reach it, and then pay handsomely for the privilege of sleeping on its ground.
Trends
1Outdoor participation grew nearly 3% post-pandemic through 2022
Verified2Youth participation up 2.5 million since 2021 in 2022
Verified3People of color participation increased 4 million in 2022
Verified4Urban participation grew 5% from 2021 to 2022
Directional5Trail running surged 12% in participation over 5 years to 2022
Single source6Backcountry skiing up 21% over 5 years to 2022
Verified7Gravel grinding/bikepacking grew 28% to 2022
Verified8Outdoor rec economy expected to grow to $1 trillion by 2025
Verified9E-bike sales tripled from 2019 to 2022
Directional10Glamping market grew 175% since 2018 to 2022
Single source11Adventure tourism CAGR 16.8% projected to 2030
Verified12Sustainable outdoor gear demand up 25% in 2022
Verified13Women’s participation grew to 49% in 2022
Verified14Core participation (11+ days/year) steady at 50.6 million in 2022
Directional15Casual participation (1-10 days) increased in 2022
Single source16Pandemic boosted participation by 10 million in 2021-2022
Verified17Digital booking for outdoor trips up 40% post-2020
Verified18Microadventures trend led to 15% rise in day trips 2022
Verified19Wellness-focused outdoor activities up 20% in 2022
DirectionalTrends Interpretation
We’re all clearly trying to outrun our screens and anxieties by any means necessary, be it on a trail, a gravel bike, or a gloriously plush glamping mattress, but at least we’re doing it together and with a slightly greener conscience.
Sources & References
- Reference 1BEAbea.govVisit source
- Reference 2OUTDOORINDUSTRYoutdoorindustry.orgVisit source
- Reference 3OUTDOORFOUNDATIONoutdoorfoundation.orgVisit source
- Reference 4OUTDOORALLIANCEoutdooralliance.orgVisit source
- Reference 5STATISTAstatista.comVisit source
- Reference 6BLMblm.govVisit source
- Reference 7FWSfws.govVisit source