Outdoor recreation contributed $12B to Wisconsin’s GDP in 2024

Outdoor recreation contributed more than $12 billion to Wisconsin’s gross domestic product in 2024, a 3.8 percent increase over the previous record-breaking year in 2023, according to data from the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis.

In 2024, Wisconsin tourism reached a record-high $25.8 billion in total economic impact, surpassing the previous record years in 2023 and 2022. The state also welcomed a record-breaking 114.4 million visits and generated a record $1.7 billion in state and local revenue.

Additionally, all topline metrics for the outdoor recreation industry in 2024 in Wisconsin were record-breaking, including a record-breaking number of jobs supported and wages paid:

• $12 billion contributed to Wisconsin’s GDP—up 3.8 percent;
• 100,139 jobs supported—up 1.6 percent; and
• $5.7 billion in employee compensation—up 5.3 percent.

The report showed that Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation industry grew in a majority of activities across the board. Top contributing sectors by activity in Wisconsin’s outdoor recreation economy in 2024 included:

• Multi-use apparel and accessories: $1.3 billion
• Motorcycling and ATVing: $1 billion
• Boating and fishing: $1 billion
• Game areas: $539 million
• Guided tours and outfitted travel: $498 million
• RVing: $435 million
• Hunting and shooting: $378 million
• Climbing, hiking, and tent camping: $174 million
• Equestrian: $170 million
• Bicycling: $137 million

In addition to another record-breaking economic growth, travel and tourism spending tied to outdoor recreation trips more than 50 miles from home grew by 7.2 percent in 2024, while local outdoor recreation trips within 50 miles of home increased by 2.3 percent year over year.