Outdoor recreation has faced plenty of headwinds in the last few years. The U.S. economy has fluctuated wildly since the pandemic, and the increased number of natural disasters, from forest fires to hurricanes, have shuttered popular recreation areas for months at a time.
Despite that, the outdoor industry continues to grow in its economic output, reaching $1.2 trillion this year, according to data released Wednesday by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). That’s an increase of $200 billion over the $1 trillion benchmark reported by the BEA last year. In other words, the industry’s economic output has never been larger than in 2023.
Perhaps more telling is the longer-term growth of the outdoor industry since federal economists began tracking it in 2012. Over the last 11 years, the industry has grown by 36%. It now accounts for 2.3% of the country’s GDP, more than the combined output of mining (1.4%) and farming (0.7%).
While these numbers are astronomical, they encapsulate extremely varied industries, from boating to RVs and cycling to motorcycles, as well as the travel, lodging, and food needed to participate in the activities.
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, which represents the industry, hosted an online meeting Wednesday for legislators and industry leaders to share their thoughts on the new data. They urged Congress to continue to support the industry through legislation like the EXPLORE Act, which would widen access to outdoor recreation across the country, including for veterans and people with disabilities.
“Outdoor recreation is one of the last bastions of bipartisan cooperation,” Utah Rep. Blake Moore said in the meeting. “We can pass this legislation in a Biden administration or a Trump administration … We’re trying to get around the gridlock in D.C.”
Boating/Fishing Reeling In Big Bucks
Anglers and boat lovers spend a lot of money in the U.S. These activities accounted for the largest portion of the outdoor economy in 2023, with $36.8 billion of economic output.
In fact, more than 57 million Americans aged 6 and up went fishing last year, a 6% increase from 2022, according to the American Sportfishing Association (ASA). Last year’s overall participation rate of all U.S. residents reached 19%, breaking the records set during COVID-19 in 2020, according to a 2023 report from the organization. That includes new records in participation among Black and Latino Americans, as well as women.
It’s the first time that the ASA’s annual reports have included data on fishing trends among Black Americans. According to the report, 5.2 million of them went fishing during 2023.
“Our success as an industry is as a community-based industry,” Glenn Hughes, president of the American Sportfishing Association, said during Wednesday’s virtual meeting. “Legislative efforts like the EXPLORE Act will improve outdoor experiences by making it easier, safer and more enjoyable … BEA’s numbers today will help us make better decisions during this next Congress.”
RVing has taken the top spot in the outdoor industry for 2 years — until fishing and boating churned out even more economic output in 2023. Jason Rano, vice president of the RV Industry Association, jokingly pointed out that his industry was “happy to share the crown.” But more important, he said, is what the overall numbers say about the enduring power of the outdoor economy.
“It’s no surprise that in the last couple years that we saw dramatic increases in the years that covered Covid. We all know that people sought to get outside across our industries,” Rano said. “What the data released today shows is that the growth is sustainable.”
Outdoor Industry Growth by State
In 2023, the outdoor recreation industry accounted for 5 million jobs, or 3.1% of all U.S. employees. It’s not surprising to see larger states like Texas, Florida, and California take top spots in overall contributions, so it’s more interesting to look at states with the fastest overall growth.
Leading the pack in 2023 is Massachusetts, which saw 13.3% in outdoor economic growth. In 2022, it became the 18th state to create an Office of Outdoor Recreation to boost its outdoor economy. Maryland, which established the same office in 2020, took the fifth spot.
Both states continue to pursue projects that will open up new possibilities for getting outside. Last week, Massachusett announced the Trails for All initiative aims to make more trails accessible to those with mobility issues. And Maryland hosted its first-ever Outdoor Recreation Summit in October, bringing together academics, park rangers, business owners, students, and nonprofit leaders.
However, many states continue to face major damage caused by an increasing number of natural disasters, including wildfires and hurricanes. Amy Alison, director of North Carolina’s Outdoor Economy Office, pointed to the widespread damage caused by Hurricane Helene in September. Worse, the destruction occurred during one of the state’s most popular seasons for outdoor recreation, Alison said. “The devastation left in the wake of the storm was heartbreaking,” she noted.
Nearly everyone on the call at some point referenced the EXPLORE Act, which would dedicate federal funding for many projects supporting outdoor recreation across the country. Passed by the U.S. House earlier this year, it continues to inch forward, thanks to a big lobbying push from organizations like the Outdoor Alliance. However, with a new incoming president and a Republican-controlled Congress, industry leaders like Rano hoped the bill would be passed this winter.
“The EXPLORE Act is vital to get done in the next few weeks here,” Rano said.
