Outdoor recreation reached $696.7 billion, 2.4% of U.S. GDP in 2024, BEA reports
The outdoor recreation economy accounted for 2.4% of U.S. GDP in 2024, totaling $696.7 billion, with growth within supporting activities led by travel- and tourism-related spending, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis.
BEA·Mar 5, 2026, 3:00 PM·2 min read✓ Verified
- Outdoor recreation made up 2.4% of U.S. GDP in 2024.
- Real outdoor recreation GDP rose 2.7%, slower than 2023’s 5.3%.
- Boating and fishing led conventional activities at $38.4 billion.
- Arts, entertainment, accommodation, and food services contributed $174.4 billion.
Sources
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