The U.S. outdoor recreation sector surged to a record $639.5 billion in 2023, contributing 2.3% to the national GDP, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis’ (BEA) latest Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA) report according to an article by Skift.
However, New York, despite its renowned parks and proximity to nature, contributed only 1.6% of its state GDP to outdoor recreation, ranking among the lowest in the country. In contrast, Hawaii led the nation, with outdoor recreation accounting for 6.3% of its GDP, followed by states like Vermont and Montana, where outdoor tourism and rural landscapes drive significant economic contributions.
New York’s relatively low figures highlight the challenges urban states face in leveraging outdoor recreation’s economic potential. While iconic destinations such as the Adirondacks, Catskills, and Central Park attract visitors, the state’s economy is dominated by finance, real estate, and other urban industries.
High costs of living and accessibility issues may also deter participation in outdoor activities, raising questions about how urbanized regions can better integrate outdoor recreation into their economic strategies.
Nationally, the sector grew 3.6% in real GDP, surpassing the broader economy’s 2.9% growth, with employment rising by 3.3%. States like Alaska experienced the highest employment growth in the sector at 7.5%, while Indiana saw a 4.8% decline.
States rich in outdoor assets, including Colorado, Utah, and California, outperformed urban-centric states such as Connecticut, Delaware, and New York in terms of outdoor recreation’s economic impact.
Conventional activities like boating, fishing, and camping accounted for 31.4% of the sector’s value, while supporting activities like transportation, accommodations, and dining made up 48.5%, reflecting outdoor recreation’s deep ties to the broader travel and tourism ecosystem.
Key contributors to the sector included arts, entertainment, recreation, accommodation, and food services, which added $165.2 billion, and retail trade, which contributed $156.3 billion, driven by strong spending on equipment and apparel. While these figures underscore outdoor recreation’s growing national importance, they also reveal stark regional disparities.
For states like New York, the report poses a significant challenge: finding ways to compete with nature-rich states and better capitalize on their existing outdoor assets. As Americans increasingly prioritize outdoor experiences, the opportunity for urban and less nature-focused
