News report

Outdoor recreation generated $696.7 billion in value added in the United States in 2024, representing 2.4 percent of gross domestic product, the Bureau of Economic Analysis reported on March 5, 2026. The release supplied new national and state estimates of recreation-related production.

After adjustment for inflation, the outdoor recreation economy grew 2.7 percent in 2024. That was close to the 2.8 percent increase in the overall economy and slower than the sector’s growth in 2023. The result records continued expansion without suggesting that the pace accelerated.

The account reaches beyond equipment shops and outdoor activities themselves. BEA groups conventional recreation, other activities and supporting services, including travel and tourism. Spending associated with transportation, hotels and restaurants helps explain why the measure is broader than a tally of admission fees or recreational goods.

A June 2026 statistical review put employment linked to the account at approximately 5.2 million jobs. It also showed differing state experiences: a national increase did not mean that every state gained recreation employment or that every activity expanded.

Value added measures the contribution to production, giving the sector a place within the same framework used for the wider economy. The national account and state tables provide a common starting point for examining recreation-related activity, while the breakdown by business type shows how outdoor experiences connect equipment, facilities and travel services.

Sources