The Economic Power of Outdoor Recreation in Pennsylvania

What Makes Outdoor Recreation So Important to Pennsylvania’s Economy?

Outdoor recreation is one of Pennsylvania’s greatest assets—not only because of the places it gives us to explore, but because of what it makes it possible for our communities. Across the Commonwealth, trails, parks, forests, rivers, and open spaces strengthen local economies, support small businesses, and improve quality of life.

With more than 4 million acres of public land, Pennsylvania has built an outdoor recreation network that is both extensive and deeply woven into the identity of our towns, rural communities, and neighborhoods. That access matters—and so does the growing recognition that these lands are not just beautiful places, but a powerful foundation for economic opportunity.

As the president of Strategic Consulting Partners (SCP) and project sponsor of many consulting projects focused on the promotion of PA’s outdoor recreation activities and natural resource protection, I am proud that SCP has contributed directly to the work that the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) has championed to define, elevate, and strengthen this industry. DCNR’s leadership through research, statewide engagement, and the establishment of the Office of Outdoor Recreation has helped Pennsylvania articulate the full value of its natural assets and position outdoor recreation as a strategic driver of economic growth. Their efforts have brought together partners across government, business, conservation, and community development to build a shared vision for a thriving outdoor economy.

Dr. Nathan Reigner, Director of Outdoor Recreation, PA Office of Outdoor Recreation says,

“Outdoor recreation is more than a good time outside – it is a thriving industry that is a catalyst for economic development. Whether we consider the jobs and revenues created by Pennsylvania’s thousands of outdoor recreation businesses, or the competitive advantage our trails, parks, and waterways create for attracting workers and recruiting businesses, outdoor recreation gets it done for Pennsylvania’s economy.”

How Much Money Does Outdoor Recreation Generate in Pennsylvania?

Outdoor recreation contributes $20.4 billion annually to Pennsylvania’s GDP, supports more than 177,000 jobs, and generates $9.5 billion in wages. These are not abstract numbers—they represent real businesses, real families, and real communities that thrive because people choose to hike, bike, paddle, camp, hunt, fish, climb, and explore within Pennsylvania.

Dr. Silas Chamberlin, Executive Director of the Outdoor Business Alliance of Pennsylvania (OBA) shared,

“Although many people think of the outdoor economy in terms of hospitality, retail and the service sector—their favorite trailside brewpub or secluded Airbnb or outfitter who gets them out on a river—Pennsylvania’s outdoor economy is actually much more diverse. For example, manufacturing outdoor products now generates $3 billion annually for Pennsylvania’s economy, a figure which has grown 30% since 2022. This is a critical part of our outdoor economy because of the higher-than-average wages in manufacturing compared to other segments of the outdoor industry.”

How Outdoor Recreation Drives Local Economic Growth in Pennsylvania Communities

The economic ripple effect is visible in every corner of the state. Communities near trail systems, parks, and waterways see increased spending at local restaurants, breweries, hotels, campgrounds, and retail shops. Outfitters, bike shops, gear suppliers, and guiding services benefit directly from visitor demand. Hospitality organizations, from small-town B&Bs to major hotel chains, see higher occupancy rates tied to outdoor travel. Even sectors like healthcare, transportation, and real estate experience measurable gains as outdoor recreation attracts residents, workers, and visitors seeking high-quality, nature-rich places to live and work.

Examples of Outdoor Recreation Economic Impact Across Pennsylvania

Consider a few examples of how the Commonwealth of PA has invested in the outdoor recreation industry:

• The Great Allegheny Passage (GAP) generates more than $121 million annually economic impact, with trail users spending an average of $124 per day in nearby towns. Small businesses—from cafés to bike repair shops—have flourished along the route.
• Pennsylvania’s state parks welcome over 40 million visitors each year, contributing more than $1.2 billion to local economies. For every dollar invested in state parks, the Commonwealth sees an estimated $12 in economic return.
• The Lehigh Valley and Pocono outdoor tourism corridor has seen significant growth in hospitality and recreation-based businesses, driven by mountain biking, skiing, paddling, and adventure tourism.
• Rural communities near state forests and game lands benefit from hunting, fishing, and wildlife watching, activities that collectively generate billions in spending on equipment, lodging, food, and travel.

Why Investing in Outdoor Recreation Strengthens Pennsylvania’s Economy

These examples illustrate a simple truth: when we invest in outdoor recreation, we invest in Pennsylvania’s economic vitality.

What also makes Pennsylvania’s outdoor recreation story so compelling is the number of organizations and volunteers working behind the scenes to care for these places and keep them welcoming for everyone.

The Pennsylvania Parks and Forests Foundation supports friends groups across the Commonwealth, helping volunteers give their time, energy, and resources to steward state parks and forests and strengthen the connection between public lands and local communities.

In the Lehigh Valley, Wildlands Conservancy has shown what it means not only to preserve land, but to restore natural areas, expand trails, and create opportunities for people to experience the outdoors in meaningful and accessible ways.
Keystone Trails Association continues to do tremendous work through volunteer-driven trail care, advocacy, and training so that hiking trails across Pennsylvania remain protected, safe, and enjoyable for the public.

How Partnerships Sustain Pennsylvania’s Outdoor Economy

We are grateful for the opportunity to support so many organizations across Pennsylvania’s conservation and recreation sector as contributors, partners, and consultants. Through this work, we have seen firsthand how outdoor recreation can strengthen local economies, connect people to place, and improve health and well-being. We have also seen how much of that success depends on partnerships—between public agencies, nonprofits, businesses, and committed volunteers who care deeply about the future of these landscapes. That is part of what makes this work so meaningful. Outdoor recreation is not just an industry in Pennsylvania; it is a shared investment in the vitality of our communities and in the places that make this Commonwealth feel like home.

Interested in learning more about how Strategic Consulting Partners could support your organization?

Whether you are strengthening a conservation nonprofit, for profit business, or a government agency that is developing an outdoor recreation strategy, engaging community partners, building board capacity, or planning for long-term organizational growth, SCP brings the facilitation, strategic planning, research, and project management experience needed to help move your mission forward.