U.S. Outdoor Recreation Economy Surges to $1.3 Trillion in 2024

The American outdoor recreation economy reached a significant milestone in 2024, achieving an impressive $1.3 trillion in economic activity and providing jobs for 5.2 million individuals. This represents a growth from $1.2 trillion in 2023 and a remarkable increase of 84% since 2012. According to the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), outdoor recreation not only serves as a leisure activity but also plays a vital role in community health, environmental stewardship, and economic vitality.

Tracking outdoor recreation since 2017, the BEA highlights its importance as an economic engine, especially for rural communities. The sector now accounts for 2.4% of the overall U.S. economy and employs about 3.2% of the nation’s workforce. In Colorado alone, outdoor recreation contributed $18.1 billion to the state’s economy in 2024, making up 3.3% of the state’s total economic activity. The industry supports 137,762 jobs in Colorado, which is 4.5% of the state’s workforce, marking an increase from 132,594 jobs in the previous year.

Economic Impact and Growth in Colorado

Outdoor recreation has emerged as the tenth largest economic contributor in Colorado. The state’s economy benefits significantly from winter sports, which alone generate $1.6 billion in activity. Retail sales from outdoor equipment and apparel contribute another $3.7 billion, while lodges and restaurants add $3.1 billion to the economic landscape.

Conor Hall, head of the Colorado Outdoor Recreation Office, emphasized the growth momentum, noting a $900 million increase in economic activity from 2023 to 2024, alongside the addition of 5,000 new jobs that generated $800 million in earnings. This growth underscores the significance of the sector as outlined in the 2025-2029 Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan, released in late 2024. The plan indicates $52.1 billion in spending related to outdoor recreation for the year 2023 and identifies 404,000 jobs in this sector.

While differing methodologies exist, both the BEA and state surveys offer valuable insights into the economic impact of outdoor recreation. The BEA, focusing on tax receipts from outdoor businesses, and state surveys estimating consumer spending present a comprehensive picture of the sector’s role in economic development.

Advocacy for Public Lands and Future Initiatives

The outdoor recreation industry is advocating for a stronger voice in public policy decisions, particularly concerning public lands. The growing economic impact of outdoor recreation is prompting champions, including the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, which represents 110,000 businesses, to push for greater recognition and support from lawmakers.

One of the critical legislative priorities is the implementation of the EXPLORE Act, signed into law by former President Joe Biden in January 2025, after receiving unanimous approval from Congress. This landmark legislation aims to enhance recreational access to public lands while streamlining management processes.

Jessica Turner, president of the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, highlighted the sector’s financial contributions, citing that 996.9 million days of recreation on 640.6 million acres of public lands resulted in $71.8 billion in visitor spending—an average of over $351 million daily. These financial figures reinforce the argument for preserving access to public lands, which Turner characterized as a high return on national investment.

As the outdoor recreation economy continues to grow, its advocates stress the importance of investing in this sector. Such investments not only generate jobs but also foster thriving communities and contribute to the long-term economic strength of states like Colorado. The numbers released by the BEA provide a clear message: the outdoor recreation industry is not merely a weekend pastime, but a vital contributor to the nation’s economic landscape.