CONCORD, NH – Jobs in New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation economy is growing, and overall outdoor recreation, boosted by winter activities, is increasingly contributing to the state’s economy, according to the latest data from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account.
Outdoor recreation contributed $4.2 billion, value-added, to the New Hampshire economy, accounting for 3.5% of New Hampshire GDP in 2024, according to the report, released Thursday. Value-added is the value of the goods and services produced, less the value of the goods and services used up in production.
Outdoor recreation also accounted for 33,313 jobs, a 2.2% increase over the previous year.
New Hampshire ranks 8th nationally for GDP impact of outdoor recreation, and the industry is critical to helping attract younger individuals to the state, said a news release from the New Hampshire Dept. of Business and Economic Affairs.
“Outdoor recreation is a cornerstone of New Hampshire’s economy and quality of life,” said BEA Commissioner Lucy Lange. “From the mountains and forests to our lakes and seacoast, the Granite State’s natural resources attract visitors year-round while supporting thousands of jobs and small businesses.”
Nationally, outdoor recreation generated $696.7 billion in economic value in 2024, accounting for 2.4% of U.S. GDP, and supported more than 5.2 million jobs, according to the report.
New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation contribution was up from $3.9 billion in 2023, when it contributed 3.4% value-added to the state GDP.
The industry added 1,400 jobs in 2024, up 2.2% from the previous year, and represents 4.6% of the state’s employment.
The report divides outdoor recreation activities into three categories: conventional activities such as snow activities, RVing, hunting, bicycling, boating, hiking; other activities, such as gardening and outdoor concerts; supporting activities, such as construction, travel and tourism, local trips, and government expenditures.
Some of the New Hampshire’s outdoor recreation numbers in the report:
- $4.2 billion in value added, for 3.5% of the state’s economy.
- 33,313 jobs in 2024, 4.6% of the state’s employment.
- $1.8 million in wages, 2.7% of overall compensation.
- $458 million was paid in retail wages, followed by $384 million in accommodation and food services.
- $1.79 billion of the total value added was in supporting recreation, which includes construction and local trips and travel, as well as government expenditures, which account for $7.6 million.
- $1.58 billion in conventional outdoor recreation, with $257 million in “snow activities,” which includes skiing, snowmobiling, and other winter sports; followed by $253 million in RVing; and $187 million in boating and fishing, which also includes canoeing and kayaking.
- $760 million is in the “other” recreation category, with $187 million for amusement and water parks topping that category, followed by $175 million for “game areas,” which includes golf and tennis.
- $4.12 billion of the state’s outdoor recreation value is from private industry, of that $1.175 million is in food service and accommodation, and $910 million is in retail.
- 32,832 of those employed are in private industry, with the 10,985 in retail, followed by 8,764 in food and accommodations.
“Outdoor recreation contributes significantly to New Hampshire’s economy through the impact it has across a number of industries beyond just recreation,” said Brian Gottlob, director of the statse’s Department of Employment Security Economic and Labor Market Information Bureau. “Including manufacturing, retail trade, and lodging and dining, outdoor recreation contributes more than 33,000 private sector jobs.”
BEA Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development Director Janel Lawton noted the spread across types of recreation.
“Our outdoor recreation economy spans all four seasons and includes activities such as boating, fishing, hiking, camping, hunting, and biking,” she said. “These activities support outfitters, manufacturers, hospitality businesses, guides, and retailers across the state while attracting millions of visitors each year.”
New Hampshire lagged behind its two norther New England neighbors, Maine and Vermont, in percentage of GDP, percentage of jobs and percentage of population in outdoor recreation, but far surpassed the three southern New England states. Vermont topped the rest of the region, with outdoor recreation accounting for 4.7% of the state’s GDP, 5.1% of the state’s jobs and 3.5% of its wages. Maine was second, with 4% GDP, 4.8% jobs and 3.2% in compensation.
Last year, Gov. Kelly Ayotte identified the outdoor recreation industry as one of nine target industries to grow and diversify New Hampshire’s economy and proclaimed June 10 “Outdoor Industry Day.” The Office of Outdoor Recreation Industry Development, created in 2019, has also facilitated public and private collaboration of businesses, employees, and communities that support year-round recreation across the Granite State.