November 9, 2021
The new U.S. data show that the outdoor recreation economy accounted for 1.8 percent ($374.3 billion) of current-dollar gross domestic product for the nation in 2020. At the state level, outdoor recreation value added as a share of state GDP ranged from 4.3 percent in Montana to 1.2 percent in New York and Connecticut. The share was 0.8 percent in the District of Columbia. Outdoor recreation estimates were impacted by the response to the spread of COVID-19, as governments issued and lifted "stay-at-home" orders. This led to rapid changes in demand as consumers canceled, restricted, or redirected their spending.
- For the nation, the retail trade sector was the largest contributor to U.S. outdoor recreation value added in 2020, accounting for $101.9 billion and was the largest contributor to outdoor recreation in 35 states.
- Arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services, the second-largest sector, contributed $86.8 billion in current-dollar value added to outdoor recreation nationally and was the largest contributor to outdoor recreation in 13 states and the District of Columbia.
- Manufacturing, the third-largest sector, contributed $52.8 billion nationally to the outdoor recreation economy and was the largest contributor to the outdoor recreation economy in Indiana and Wisconsin.
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