Annual Gross Economic Output
The Bureau of Economic Analysis calculates the economic output of outdoor recreation to be $689 billion, surpassing industries such as mining, utilities, farming and ranching, and chemical products manufacturing.
Outdoor Recreation Creates Millions of Jobs
Outdoor recreation generates millions of quality, high-paying jobs in the United States across a wide variety of industries.
Outdoor Recreation as Part of GDP
Outdoor recreation accounts for 1.8 percent of U.S. GDP.
Percentage of Employees that Work in Outdoor Recreation
Three percent of all U.S. employees work in outdoor recreation.
Industry Statistics
Archery
Participants spent $156 billion — the most in the last 25 years, adjusted for inflation — on equipment, travel, licenses, and fees associated with these activities.
Biking
Over $96 billion in annual retail sales.
Boating
$37 billion total retail sales of boats, engines, accessories and marine services.
Camping
Supports over 1.4 million jobs.
Equestrian
Total economic impact of $18 billion.
Hunting
Economic impact of over $110 billion.
Motorcycling & Powersports
The economic impact of the powersports retail marketplace is $39 billion.
Recreation Vehicles
$50 billion economic impact.
Snowsports
Supports nearly 700,000 jobs.
Specialty Equipment
$41 billion economic impact.
Specialty Vehicles
More than 30 million Americans ride ATVs and ROVs each year.
Sportfishing
Generates more than $48 billion in retail sales.