Pennsylvania ranks sixth in the United States in outdoor recreation employment and eighth in providing outdoor recreation value.
The Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) shared findings March 16 from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA).
Outdoor recreation jobs grew by 9,000 in 2024 to 177,000 workers. Wages in the outdoor recreation sector now total $9.5 billion across the Commonwealth.
Overall, Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy in 2024 is reported to have grown by $1.5 billion to a total of $20.4 billion in economic impact.
Outdoor recreation accounts for 2% of Pennsylvania’s gross domestic product, and the state’s outdoor recreation economy outpaced the national growth rate, expanding by 2.7%.
Growth in different outdoor activities
The report shows growth in several areas of outdoor recreation in 2024 from 2022 in the value-added category that consists of the value of outdoor recreation goods and services produced less the value of expenses incurred for their production.
Boating and fishing rank 16th in the country with $938,912, up from $819,008.
Motorcycling/ATVing ranks fourth in the country at $616,082, up from $579,681.
Hunting/Shooting/trapping ranks 10th at $476,167, up from $346,317.
Bicycling saw a large increase ranking second in the country at $251,124, up from $114,750.
Climbing/hiking/tent camping ranks seventh at 246,084, up from 217,251.
Equestrian ranks sixth at $240,710, which is up from $209,970.
Snow activities placed 11th at $198,246, up from $182,061.
Recreational flying came in 13th in the country at $46,322, up from $41,778.
RVing ranks ninth in the country and was the only Pennsylvania activity in the report with a decrease. The value-added activity provided $713,795, down from $745,730 in in 2022.
“Investing in Pennsylvania’s parks, trails and outdoor recreation infrastructure is more than protecting our natural resources — it’s about creating good-paying jobs and supporting local communities,” DCNR Secretary Cindy Adams Dunn said in a news release. “From state parks to small businesses across the Commonwealth, these strategic investments are making a real difference for communities and families across Pennsylvania.”
Office of Outdoor Recreation Director Nathan Reigner pointed out the significance of outdoor activities in the release. “With thousands of businesses growing in every county, these investments are creating good-paying jobs and supporting local communities across the Commonwealth.”
