Outdoor Participation Grows to Record Levels

September 20, 2022

2022 Outdoor Foundation Trends Report reveals outdoor recreation participant base encounters historic growth in 2021, up 2.2% to 164.2M participants, highest ever

BOULDER, COLO [September, 2022]/OUTDOOR SPORTSWIRE/ – Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Outdoor Industry Association, released the 2022 Outdoor Participation Trends Report that concludes that participation in outdoor recreation continues to grow at record levels. According to the report, more than half (54%) of Americans ages six and over participated in at least one outdoor activity in 2021, and the outdoor recreation participant base grew 2.2% during 2021 to 164.2M participants. However, this growing number of outdoor enthusiasts did not fundamentally alter long-term declines in high frequency or “core” outdoor participation.

“We know spending time outdoors brings many benefits to individuals and society, including improved mental and physical health, job creation and economic growth, as well as increased stewardship for our lands and waters,” says Kent Ebersole, OIA Interim Executive Director. “While the historic growth we see in this report is encouraging, we must continue taking action to help more individuals and families build life-long relationships with the outdoors so that our communities, environment, and businesses continue to thrive.”

Additional key findings of the report include the following:

• The outdoor recreation participant base grew again in 2021. The outdoor participant base has increased by 6.9% since the COVID pandemic began in early 2020. Although many of the official restrictions on indoor entertainment including restaurants, bars, and sporting events ended in 2021, outdoor recreation participation continued to grow.
• Youth participation is climbing but the frequency of their participation is declining.
• New outdoor participants are more diverse than the overall outdoor participant base and are driving increasing diversity not only by ethnicity but also across age groups.
• High frequency or “core” participation in outdoor recreation is declining. The outdoor recreation “core” participant, defined as someone who participates 51 times or more in outdoor recreation activities in the past 12 months, has declined from 71.9% in 2007 to 58.7% of the participant base in 2021. The number of core participants has declined from 99.5M in 2007 to 96.4M today.
• The number of participants 55 years and older increased by more than 14% since 2019. Senior participants ages 65 and older were in the fastest growing age category with 16.9% growth since the COVID pandemic began in early 2020.
• Despite increases in the number of participants, the number of outdoor outings is declining significantly. The number of outings has been in decline for the past decade and the increased number of participants are not stemming the tide.

“Data in this year’s report reinforces the important need to continue supporting efforts that help create repeat and reinforcing outdoor experiences for youth and families,” said Stephanie Maez, Outdoor Foundation Executive Director. “Working together across industry sectors and through philanthropy, outdoor programming, and public policy can move the needle on these issues. The Outdoor Foundation will continue in its mission to catalyze collective action to address equity barriers and help make the outdoors accessible for all.”

The Outdoor Foundation has developed the Outdoor Participation Trends Report for 15 years. The annual report examines the demographics of the outdoor participant—defined as someone who participated in an outdoor activity at least one time in the past year. The survey reflects data gathered during the 2021 calendar year and garnered a total of 18,000 online interviews consisting of people ages six and older. View the 2022 report in full here.

While the full report is available to the public, an in-depth review breaking down specific sectors of the industry will be available exclusively to OIA members in the coming months. This detailed view will provide OIA members with insights to help inform business decisions and welcome more people outside.

About Outdoor Foundation

The Outdoor Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Outdoor Industry Association, is a national 501(C)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to getting people outside for their health, the health of communities, and the health of the outdoor industry. Through community investment and groundbreaking research, the Outdoor Foundation works with many partners to get more people outside more often. Visit outdoorfoundation.org for more information.

About Outdoor Industry Association

Based in Boulder, Colo., with offices in Washington, D.C., Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) is the leading trade association for the outdoor industry. For more than 30 years, OIA has served as the trusted convenor, resource, and voice of the outdoor industry. OIA unites and serves manufacturers, suppliers, sales representatives, and retailer members through its focus on trade and recreation policy, sustainable business innovation, and outdoor participation. The association provides its members with insights, advocacy, and opportunities for action that support the long-term success of outdoor businesses and ensure the outdoor experience for all. For more information, visit outdoorindustry.org