Office of Outdoor Recreation
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Outdoor Recreation Economy
Members of the Maryland Conservation Corps participate in an outdoor team building activity.
Check out some of the highlights of the outdoor recreation economy in Maryland! This data is from 2024 and was released by the
U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis in March of 2026. The data reinforces what we see every day across Maryland: outdoor recreation is both an economic engine and a quality of life asset.
$10.6 billion in Value Added to Maryland
In 2024, the outdoor recreation economy in Maryland generated 85,000 jobs and $5 billion in wages and salaries. Outdoor recreation accounted for $10.6 billion in gross domestic product (GDP), a total 1.9% of the state’s total GDP and a 12.8% increase from the previous year.
Economic Impact by Recreation Activity
Fishing Friends by Reinhart Sahmel
The Bureau of Economic Analysis reported that, in 2024, activity related to boating and fishing brought in more than
$700 million in value added to Maryland’s economy.
“Our Chesapeake Bay is unique, and it is certainly a big part of who we are and why we live here. With 3,190 miles of shoreline, our waterways and watersports are explored and fished by boaters who have a $4.2 billion impact in Maryland and support an industry of 16,871 jobs throughout the state.”
–
John Stefancik, Executive Director, Marine Trades Association of Maryland
Learn More About Fishing
Learn More About Boating
RVing at Assateague by Angela Baldwin
In 2024, RVing brought in
$232 million in value added to Maryland’s economy.
“The State of Maryland, our counties, towns, local communities, residents and small independent businesses all benefit greatly from the immense dollars spent on camping, RV’ing, and other outdoor recreation in our beautiful state. Camping attracts people from all walks of life looking for a time to create memories, reduce stress and reconnect with nature. After all, camping just comes naturally in Maryland!”
–
Deb Carter, Executive Director, Maryland Association of Campgrounds
Becoming an Outdoors Woman weekend workshop participants learn about shotguns from instructor John Clites.
In 2024, activities related to hunting, shooting, and trapping brought in
$214.6 million in value added to Maryland’s economy.
Learn More About Hunting
Cumberland City students spent a week with park rangers at Rocky Gap learning how to boat, fish, swim, hike, perform first aid, pitch a tent, and more.
In 2024, climbing, hiking, and tent camping generated more than
$100 million in value added to Maryland’s economy.
Hiking is one of the most accessible types of outdoor recreation, known as a “gateway activity” that leads people to go outside more often.
More than 60 million Americans went hiking in 2024.
Learn More About Camping in State Parks and Forests
Horseback riders at the Fair Hill Turf Track in Cecil County.
In 2024, equestrian activities generated
$95 million in value added to Maryland’s economy.
A Guide to Maryland Horse Trails
The Deep Creek Lions Club Blind Ski Program has hosted visually impaired skiers and their families at Wisp Resort in Garrett County for more than 50 years.
In 2024, skiing, snowboarding, snow tubing, and other activities related to winter recreation generated
$59 million in value added to Maryland’s economy.
Learn More About Winter Recreation on Public Lands
Nationally: $1.3 Trillion Dollars and 2.4% of Overall GDP
Nationally, outdoor recreation accounts for $1.3 trillion dollars in economic impact, 2.4% of the overall GDP. In 2024, Maryland grew faster than the national average, ranking in the top 10 in the country – 9th among all states – in outdoor recreation value-added growth.
Potomac at Green Ridge by Tom Hamilton
