Today: U.S. Bureau Of Economic Analysis To Release 2024 Outdoor Recreation Economy Data

This morning, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) will officially release the highly anticipated 2024 economic data for the outdoor recreation industry. This year’s release provides the latest official government look at the sector’s impact on the national and state economies.

The full 2024 data suite will be available at this link as soon as it is released by the BEA.

For those looking to go beyond the numbers, the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) will host a virtual briefing shortly after the data goes live. Industry experts and economists will break down what the new figures mean for the future of the industry, job creation, and local communities.

The briefing will highlight key national and state economic data, illustrating how the outdoor industry continues to bolster local economies and demonstrate resilience despite ongoing headwinds. This data, gathered annually in the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA), offers the most up-to-date insights on the sector’s economic footprint.

Release of 2024 Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account Data
Thursday, March 5, 2026
11 AM ET
Register

Industry leaders from the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, Bureau of Economic Analysis economists, and policymakers will participate in the discussion, providing expert analysis. The webinar will feature:

• Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member, U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee
• Jessica Turner, President, Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
• Glenn Hughes, President, American Sportfishing Association
• Christy LaCurelle, President and CEO, Motorcycle Industry Council
• Kai Twanmoh, Head of Brand Engagement, AllTrails
• Nathan Reigner, PhD, Director of Outdoor Recreation, Pennsylvania Office of Outdoor Recreation
• U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA)

This will be the eighth year that the Bureau of Economic Analysis has released government data on the outdoor recreation economy. This data is usually released in November following the year of data collection; however, this year's release was delayed due to the 2025 government shutdown.

The previous data that was reported, which focused on 2023, showed that the outdoor recreation economy had generated $1.2 trillion in economic output (2.3% of GDP), comprises 3.1% of U.S. employees, and accounted for 5 million jobs. This marked the largest recorded measure since the Bureau of Economic Analysis started calculating the size of the outdoor recreation economy in 2012. 

The RV Industry Association will share an updated version of this article with specific industry highlights once the data is live.