$696.7B
U.S. Outdoor Recreation Economic Value
Outdoor recreation accounted for 2.4% of current-dollar U.S. gross domestic product in 2024.
SOURCE: BEA, 2024 ↗
U.S. OUTDOOR RECREATION DATA
OUTDOOR RECREATION
STATISTICS.
Current U.S. economic figures for recreation, RVing, fishing, hunting, and outdoor manufacturing. Updated September 9, 2026.
2024 NATIONAL FIGURES
A CLEAR LOOK AT
THE OUTDOOR ECONOMY.
Outdoor recreation reaches far beyond a weekend outside. It supports the manufacturers, retailers, travel businesses, landowners, and local communities that make outdoor life possible.
This reference page brings together the latest national figures published by the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Each statistic links to the same primary government release, so writers and researchers can check the original source quickly.
KEY STATISTICS
THE NUMBERS
AT A GLANCE.
2.7%
Real Economic Growth
Inflation-adjusted outdoor recreation GDP grew 2.7% in 2024, compared with 2.8% for the overall U.S. economy.
SOURCE: BEA, 2024 ↗1.1%
Employment Growth
Outdoor recreation employment increased 1.1% nationally in 2024.
SOURCE: BEA, 2024 ↗29.5%
Conventional Activity Share
Activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, hunting, and biking represented 29.5% of outdoor recreation value added in 2024.
SOURCE: BEA, 2024 ↗$38.4B
Boating and Fishing
Boating and fishing was the largest conventional activity by 2024 current-dollar value added.
SOURCE: BEA, 2024 ↗$27.5B
RVing
RVing was the second-largest conventional activity by 2024 current-dollar value added.
SOURCE: BEA, 2024 ↗$16.5B
Hunting, Shooting, and Trapping
Hunting, shooting, and trapping was the third-largest conventional activity by 2024 current-dollar value added.
SOURCE: BEA, 2024 ↗$91.3B
Manufacturing Contribution
Manufacturing contributed $91.3 billion, or 13.1%, of outdoor recreation value added in 2024.
SOURCE: BEA, 2024 ↗HOW TO READ THESE FIGURES
MEASURING THE
ECONOMIC IMPACT.
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reports value added, a measure comparable to gross domestic product. It captures the value created by goods and services after the cost of inputs is removed.
The figures are measured by where production happens, not where a customer lives. That matters for manufactured outdoor products, which are counted in the state where they are made. The national statistics include conventional activities, other activities such as gardening, and supporting activities such as travel, tourism, construction, and local trips.
METHODOLOGY AND SOURCES
BUILT FOR
RELIABLE CITING.
Last updated: September 9, 2026
Data year: 2024
Primary source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, Outdoor Recreation Economic Statistics, U.S. and States, 2024 ↗, released March 5, 2026.
The figures above are taken directly from the Bureau of Economic Analysis release and its supporting tables. Elite Outdoors has not added estimates or projections.
Cite This Page
Elite Outdoors. “U.S. Outdoor Recreation Statistics: 2024 Economic Impact.” Updated September 9, 2026. https://shop-buildings.com/outdoor-recreation-statistics.
BUILD. HUNT. PLAY. EXPLORE.