Outdoor Recreation Reference
Outdoor recreation statistics: participation, spending and time outside.
A current, source-linked look at how Americans spend time outdoors, from the scale of the outdoor economy to national park visits, fishing, and wildlife watching.
Last updated August 26, 2026. Each figure links to its original publisher.
At a glance
The numbers behind time outside.
$696.7B
Outdoor recreation's contribution to U.S. GDP
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that outdoor recreation accounted for $696.7 billion in U.S. economic output in 2024.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, November 20, 20254.8%
Growth in outdoor recreation value added in 2024
Outdoor recreation value added grew 4.8% in 2024, according to the federal outdoor recreation account.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, November 20, 2025181.1M
Americans who participated in outdoor recreation
The Outdoor Industry Association reported 181.1 million U.S. participants in outdoor recreation in its 2025 participation report.
Source: Outdoor Industry Association, June 11, 2025331.9M
Recreation visits to U.S. national parks in 2024
National parks recorded 331.9 million recreation visits in 2024, supporting gateway communities across the country.
Source: National Park Service, August 7, 2025$29B
Visitor spending near national parks in 2024
National Park Service visitor-spending analysis found that 2024 visitors spent an estimated $29 billion in communities within 60 miles of national parks.
Source: National Park Service, August 7, 202539.9M
People age 16 and older who fished in 2022
The 2022 National Survey counted 39.9 million fishing participants age 16 and older in the United States.
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, November 9, 2023148.3M
People age 16 and older who watched wildlife in 2022
The same national survey counted 148.3 million wildlife watchers age 16 and older, showing how broad the outdoor audience reaches beyond traditional sports.
Source: U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, November 9, 2023What it shows
Outdoor life is a large, everyday part of American life.
The figures point to an audience much larger than a single sport or destination. People get outside through local trails, parks, fishing trips, wildlife watching, road travel, and the ordinary weekends that call for a little more fresh air.
For writers, retailers, educators, and outdoor organizations, these statistics offer a grounded starting point for describing that audience. For everyone else, they are a useful reminder that the country’s outdoor culture is built from many different kinds of days outside.
Methodology
Sources and how to cite this page.
This page only uses figures published by the named government agencies and industry organization. Statistics retain the reporting period used by the original source, so dates vary by dataset. This page is refreshed when a core source releases a newer annual figure.
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis, published November 20, 2025
- Outdoor Industry Association, published June 11, 2025
- National Park Service, published August 7, 2025
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, published November 9, 2023
Suggested citation
TrinityCreekCo. “Outdoor Recreation Statistics: Participation, Spending and Time Outside.” Updated August 26, 2026. https://trinitycreekco.com/outdoor-recreation-statistics