Montana’s outdoor recreation sector made up 5% of GDP in 2024

Montana’s outdoor recreation industry remains one of the largest in the country as a percentage of gross domestic product, according to a U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report released earlier this month detailing the economic impact of the industry in 2024. 

The latest report, which was delayed from its usual fall publication due to the federal government shutdown, showed outdoor recreation-related activities accounted for 4.9% of Montana’s GDP, up .3% from 2023 and the third highest percentage of any state, behind only Hawaii at 6.1% and Alaska at 5.3%.

The national report isolates the economic activity associated with outdoor recreation spending and production throughout the economy, called the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account. That includes supporting activities, such as construction, government investment and manufacturing; core activities such as gardening or outdoor concerts; and the more conventional recreational activities — biking, RVing, hunting, fishing, and snowsports.

Among the classic recreational activities, boating and fishing contributed $149 million; hunting, trapping and shooting contributed $118 million; and snowsports $77 million.

Montana is also among the states with the highest percentage of workers employed in the industry, 5.9%, accounting for 32,094 jobs. Hawaii again led that category with 7.2% of the workforce in the sector, followed by Alaska with 6.7%. Montana has added nearly 10,000 outdoor recreation jobs since 2020.

The 2024 BEA showed the significant economic impact of outdoor recreation nationwide, with slowing but steady growth. The national GDP contribution of $696.7 billion showed a 2.7% increase from 2023, just about matching the 2.8% increase for the overall U.S. economy. 

The BEA estimates the total economic ripple effect to be $1.3 trillion in gross output — the highest since the federal government began tracking the sector. 

The industry supported 5.2 million jobs nationally, and accounted for 3.2% of total U.S. wage and salary compensation. In Montana, the outdoor recreation industry accounts for $1.87 billion in wages and salaries. 

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, a coalition of outdoor recreation trade associations and organizations that works to promote the industry, said in a press release industry growth was slowing due to continued high inflation and interest rates, business uncertainty, and continued shifts in consumer behaviors after the post-COVID surge in outdoor recreation. 

“Americans continue to get outside in record numbers, yet purchasing has slowed,” said Jess Turner, ORR president. “To keep this economic sector strong in 2026, we need action: invest in access, reduce friction in supply chains and permitting with stable business environments, and pass commonsense policies that support outdoor recreation infrastructure and public lands and waters. Outdoor recreation is a proven, sustainable asset on America’s balance sheet”

This was the eighth release of the BEA’s impact study of the outdoor recreation industry following the Outdoor Recreation Jobs and Economic Impact Act, signed into law by President Barack Obama in 2016, which required annual reports to Congress to better analyze the sector’s importance to the economy. 

The latest data release tracks with the growth of outdoor recreation participation. 

The Outdoor Industry Association, a nonprofit that promotes outdoor access in the U.S., reports that the number of outdoor participants grew to a record 181.1 million in 2024 — 58.6% of all Americans older than six years. 

Across recreational activities the following metrics stood out in 2024:

Boating/fishing moved up to become the largest conventional activity for the nation at $38.4 billion in current-dollar value added and was the largest conventional activity in 34 states. Montana saw a slight decrease in boating and fishing from 2023, but the activity still added $149 million to the state.

RVing dropped to the second-largest conventional activity nationally at $27.5 billion in current-dollar value added but held the top ranking in Montana, where it contributed $238 million. This was the largest conventional activity in nine states.

Hunting/shooting/trapping remained the third-largest conventional activity in Montana, growing by 14% in 2024, with a $118.4 million contribution to the sector.

Another growth area in Montana was guiding and outfitting activities, which saw 12% growth to contribute $162.5 million.