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Economic Impact

Economic Impact

From Trails to Jobs: Outdoor Recreation Drives $3.2 Billion Economic Impact in New Mexico and employs over 29,000 individuals

To help understand the scope and value of New Mexico’s outdoor economy, we’re highlighting the most recent data (2023) from the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), published through its Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA). These figures measure how outdoor recreation contributes to state GDP, employment, and wages.

Outdoor recreation created $3.2 billion in value added for New Mexico, accounting for 2.4% of New Mexico GDP and 29,182 jobs in 2023.

Text graphic that reads: In 2023, New Mexico's Outdoor Recreation Industry Produced 29,182 jobs, 3.2% of Employment, 2.4% of GDP, .2 Billion in economic output

The BEA report indicates that 2023 has saw the largest recorded increase in New Mexico’s outdoor recreation gross domestic product (GDP) at 6.6% compared to the previous year. Additionally, the industry has experienced steady growth in employment, with over 1,000 new jobs created. The report also highlights an increase in participation in activities such as hunting and trapping, kayaking and canoeing, and snow sports. The highest economic contributors to the state’s outdoor recreation sector are RVing, boating and fishing, as well as snow activities. 

Bar chart showing NM's top value-added outdoor recreation activity in 2023 with Rving at the top, followed by: boating/fishing. snow activities, climbing/hiking/tent camping, hunting/shooting/trapping, motorcycling/ATVing, recreational flying, and bicycling at the bottom

Other Highlights from the 2023 data on the outdoor recreation economy in New Mexico:  

  • New Mexico saw a 6.6% increase in 2023 YOY in total outdoor recreation activities. 
  • Top core outdoor recreation activities include RVing, boating/fishing, snow activities, equestrian, and climbing/hiking/tent camping. 
  • The average annual growth rate since 2013 is 5.5% overall, 6.5% in core OR activities (listed above). 
  • YOY since 2022 snow activities increased 10%, canoeing/kayaking increased 13%, and hunting/trapping increased 17%, 
Text graphic that reads: Noteworthy Increases in 2023: Hunting & trapping up 17%, snow activities up 10%, Climbing/hiking/tent camping up 9%, Boating & Fishing up 4%

At a national level, the 2023 figures show that outdoor recreation generated $1.2 trillion in economic output, $639.5 billion in GDP (2.3% of total GDP), comprised 3.1% of U.S. employees, and accounted for 5 million jobs in 2023. This means the outdoor recreation economy contributes more to the U.S. economy than farming, oil and gas extraction, mining, and utilities. 

BEA press release: https://www.bea.gov/sites/default/files/2024-11/orsa1124_0.pdf 
Outdoor Recreation Roundtable news release: https://recreationroundtable.org/news/new-data-shows-outdoor-recreation-is-a-1-2-trillion-economic-engine-supporting-5-million-american-jobs/