The latest U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) data released Thursday shows the outdoor recreation economy’s gross output totaled $1.257 trillion in 2024.
The total is the third year in a row in which outdoor recreation has totaled at least $1 trillion in gross output. The 2024 total is up 3.4% from $1.216 trillion in 2023.
The Boating and Fishing segment had the highest gross output among outdoor recreation segments at $71.5 billion, down roughly half a billion from 2023’s total.
RVing was a close second at $58.11 billion.
RVIA President and CEO Craig Kirby said the latest data demonstrated RVing’s crucial role in outdoor recreation’s success.
“More than ever, younger and increasingly diverse adventurers are choosing RVs to experience the outdoors and pursue a wide range of activities,” he said, “from classic pursuits like fishing and hiking to the rising popularity of watersports and off-road adventures. These trends demonstrate that RVing not only enhances personal well-being but also fuels economic growth across the nation.”
Revisions to previous data increased and lowered the RV segment’s impact in 2021, 2022 and 2023.
The new data showed the RV segment had a $58.082 billion gross output in 2023, up 2.3% from the originally announced $56.78 billion gross output.
RV gross output in 2022 was revised higher, from $63.37 billion to $64.081 billion, a 1.1% increase.
RV gross output in 2021 was also revised higher, from $55.15 billion to $55.876 billion, a 1.3% increase.
The BEA data showed the outdoor recreation industry employs 5.2 million workers, totaling 3.2% of the U.S. employment.
The economic output from hunting, shooting and trapping saw the most year-to-year growth.
The outdoor recreation economy accounted for 2.4% of current-dollar GDP for the nation in 2024.
The BEA said the report measures economic activity as well as the sales or receipts generated by outdoor recreational activities.
The data is typically released in November following the year of data collection. This year’s release was delayed due to the 2025 federal government shutdown.
