Since 2013, 24 states across the country have established offices of outdoor recreation.
25 in 2025 is a challenge to states to create the 25th office of outdoor recreation in the calendar year (and ideally many more).
Additionally, the campaign will highlight the accomplishments and importance of existing offices of outdoor recreation with new resources and research and culminate in an in-person convening this fall to celebrate the 25th state.
The first state office of outdoor recreation was created by Utah Governor Gary Herbert in 2013, recognizing the critical role of outdoor recreation to Utah’s identity, economic competitiveness, and community health. Since that time, nearly half the country has created these offices through executive action or legislation, placing offices or divisions in various agencies to catalyze new growth in their states’ outdoor recreation economies and access for all.
Creating these offices doesn’t have to mean growing government—Tennessee created an office of 23 last year without any additional cost to the taxpayer.
Confluence of States
Launched in 2018 by a bipartisan group of eight trailblazing states, the Confluence of States was established in recognition of the impact and importance of the outdoor recreation industry and to provide a central point of contact for outdoor businesses, communities and individual constituents that rely on the continued health of our nation’s outdoor recreation industry.
Now at 20 members strong, the Confluence of States promotes and advances five pillars and 15 common principles of the Outdoor Recreation Industry Confluence Accords which represent a best practice for all states to consider.
What is an Office of Outdoor Recreation?
While other agencies may focus exclusively on natural resource or recreation management, tourism promotion, public health, or economic development, no other state-level office is built with the mandate and expertise to partner with this fast-growing $1.2 trillion industry and coordinate across outdoor recreation programs and partnerships to expand the benefits of outdoor recreation and enhance state competitiveness.
Offices of Outdoor Recreation provide a centralized and dedicated home to coordinate efforts across agencies, identify new opportunities for economic growth, connect all communities to the benefits of time outside, and promote responsible recreation in a state’s most treasured places.
KEY RESOURCES
Campaign Supporters
Adventure Cycling Association
Alaska Outdoor Alliance
Alpine Ascents International
American Bus Association
American Fly Fishing Trade Association
American Hiking Society
American Horse Council
American Mountain Guides Association
American Prairie
American Sportfishing Association
Angler Action Foundation
Appalachian Mountain Club
Archery Trade Association
Arizona Office of Outdoor Recreation
Arizona Trail Association
Arkansas Office of Outdoor Recreation
Association of Marina Industries
Association of Outdoor Recreation and Education
Back Country Horsemen of Texas
Backcountry Hunters and Anglers
BoatU.S. Foundation
California Outdoor Recreation Partnership
CHM Government Services
Colorado Outdoor Recreation Industry Office
Connecticut Office of Outdoor Industry and Experiences
Diving Equipment & Marketing Association
Eastern Kentucky University
Eastern Missouri Climbers Association
Eddyline Kayaks
Georgia Outdoor Recreation Coalition
Granite Outdoor Alliance
The Great Outdoors Fund
Hipcamp
Idaho Outfitters and Guides Association
International Snowmobile Manufacturers Association
Iowa Parks and Recreation Association
Kansas Horse Council
Kawasaki Motors Corp., U.S.A.
Little Brown Explorers
Lululemon
Maine Office of Outdoor Recreation
Maine Outdoor Brands
Marine Retailers Association of the Americas
Marine Trades Institute
Maryland Office of Outdoor Recreation
Massachusetts Office of Outdoor Recreation
Michigan Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry
Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership
Motorcycle Industry Council
National Association of Development Organizations
National Deer Association
National Forest Recreation Association
National Marine Manufacturers Association
National Marine Sanctuary Foundation
National Park Hospitality Association
National Recreation and Park Association
National RV Dealers Association
National Ski Areas Association
National Wild Turkey Federation
NAventure
Nevada Division of Outdoor Recreation
New Hampshire Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development
New Mexico Outdoor Recreation Division
North Carolina Outdoor Economy Office
North Dakota Office of Outdoor Recreation
OARS
Oregon Outdoor Alliance
Oregon State University Center for the Outdoor Recreation Economy (CORE)
Outdoor Hospitality Industry
Outdoor Industry Association
Outdoor Recreation Council of Appalachia
Outdoor Writers Association of America
Paradox Sports
PeopleforBikes
Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation
Pikes Peak Outdoor Recreation Alliance
Professional Trailbuilders Association
Public Land Solutions
Rails to Trails Conservancy
Recreational Boating and Fishing Foundation
Rendezvous River Sports
River City Outdoors
River & Trail Outfitters
ROHVA
Rollick
ROW Adventures
RV Industry Association
San Luis Valley Great Outdoors (SLV GO!)
Send Bars
Severson Dells Nature Center
Snowsports Industries America
Society for the Protection of New Hampshire Forests
Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals
Southern Off-Road Bicycle Association
Sparkle Adventures
Specialty Equipment Market Association
Sports & Fitness Industry Association
Tennessee Office of Outdoor Recreation
Terrain Magazine
Texas Outdoor Recreation Alliance
The Corps Network
The Mountain Guides
The VF Foundation
Tim Calhoun Powersports Consulting LLC
TOFTS
Travel Nevada
Trout Unlimited
Trust for Public Land
Tyler Technologies
University of Arkansas Outdoor Products and Services Program
University of New Hampshire Department of Recreation Management & Policy
University of Wyoming Jay Kemmerer WORTH Institute
Utah Division of Outdoor Recreation
Vermont Outdoor Business Alliance
Vermont Outdoor Recreation Economic Collaborative
VF Corporation
Virginia Horse Council
Vista Recreation
Water Sports Industry Association
Waypoint Adventure
Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation
Wisconsin Horse Council
Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation
Wyoming Outdoor Recreation Business Alliance
