A new report shows outdoor recreation in America generated $1.2 trillion in economic input in 2023, the largest measure since the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) started such calculations in 2012. Since then, the outdoor recreation economy grew by 36 percent.
The new figures reveal the outdoor recreation economy contributes more to the U.S. economy than farming, mining and utilities.
Breaking down the economic impact by industry shows hunting/shooting/trapping contributed $22.8 billion in 2023. As a category, that activity is higher than fishing, skiing/snowboarding, biking, climbing/hiking/tent camping, canoeing/kayaking, equestrian, motorcycling/ATVing and snowmobiling/other snow activities. Only RVing and boating rank higher.
“With over $1.2 trillion in economic output and generating 5 million jobs, this marks another year of growth for the outdoor recreation economy, underscoring its resilience and importance across the nation,” said Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable. “The new BEA data highlights outdoor recreation as a cornerstone of our economy, generating jobs, supporting small businesses, and providing essential opportunities for Americans to engage with the outdoors for health, connection and quality of life.”
The Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation has long maintained that Hunting Is Conservation. Key to that mantra is hunting generates crucial funding to support wildlife management, research, natural resource management, public access and the future of America’s hunting heritage.
(Photo credit: Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation)