Outdoor Economy Grows Across U.S., But Urban Giants Like New York Lag
Skift Take
As Americans continue to prioritize outdoor experiences, the opportunity for states to rethink their approach to outdoor recreation remains significant.
In a year when outdoor recreation contributed a record $639.5 billion to the U.S. economy, accounting for 2.3% of the nation's GDP, one surprising outlier stands out: New York. Despite its iconic parks, proximity to nature, and reputation as a cultural hub, New York’s outdoor recreation economy contributed only 1.6% to its state GDP in 2023. That's one of the lowest in the country, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis' (BEA) latest Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA) report.
New York stands in stark contrast to leading states like Hawaii, where outdoor recreation comprised a staggering 6.3% of its GDP. Even smaller states like Vermont and Montana saw sign
