Your hike helps fuel Washington's economy

Did you know that when you hike, it supports jobs, communities and Washington state’s economy? 

Last week, Leah Dobey, policy specialist at the Washington State Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO), spoke at the Washington State Trails Conference about the findings from RCO’s 2025 report on the economic contribution of outdoor recreation in our state. 

On their way outside, hikers and other recreators spend money on gear, gas, food and more. Photo by Devanee Chapman. 

“Outdoor recreation has many, many benefits, but we wanted to put a finer point on the economic component of that,” Leah said. 

The report shows that in 2024, spending on outdoor recreation generated $33.1 billion for Washington state. 

Important for jobs and communities

Nationally, outdoor recreation supports 5 million jobs, or 3.2% of the U.S. workforce. Here in Washington, outdoor recreation is even more significant, employing 5.4% of our state’s workforce.

• How does outdoor recreation compare to other industries?
• – Outdoor recreation generates $33.1 billion for Washington state.
• – That's more than the agriculture ($26 billion), maritime ($24.1 billion) and tourism ($23.9 billion) sectors.
  – And it's nearly half the contribution of aerospace ($71 billion).

At a webinar hosted by WTA earlier this year, Dan Rankin, the mayor of Darrington, talked about what it means when this economic support is lost, for example when storms cut off access to outdoor places.

“We worry about our businesses, especially our service industry, where they’re highly dependent upon you all visiting,” Dan said. 

This map shows the percentage of jobs supported by outdoor recreation in 2024, by county. Courtesy of Earth Economics.

The town of Wilkeson is northwest of Mount Rainier National Park. Jayme Peloli, Wilkeson’s former mayor, shared similar sentiments about the importance of the town’s ties to the national park and national forest lands nearby. 

“Outdoor recreation is central to Wilkeson’s identity,” Jayme said. “It drives our local economy, strengthens community connections and supports mental well-being. When access is reliable and well managed, it brings stability to both our economy and quality of life. Without that consistency, it has the potential to do the exact opposite.”

When you speak up with WTA to ask for the funding outdoor places need, it’s to benefit your next hike, but also our state as a whole.

More than just money

Beyond economic impact, RCO’s report puts a dollar value on some of the additional ways public lands benefit life in Washington. 

The report estimates that lands where we spend time outside also contribute between $20 billion and $148 billion each year to public health (cleaning our air and water), community safety (reducing the risk of natural disasters) and more. 

Lands where we can enjoy a hike also provide clean air and water and buffer against natural disasters. Photo by Michael LaPlante. 

The report says, “Lands supporting outdoor recreation deliver extraordinary value far beyond their recreational use.” 

The report also acknowledges that some things can’t be attached to a dollar amount. It describes the existence value, which is the value people get from knowing that outdoor places exist, even if they never visit them. 

“In Washington, this sense of connection is deeply rooted; the state’s identity is closely intertwined with its iconic outdoor places, reflecting the importance of preserving lands supporting outdoor recreation not only for use, but for the value they hold by simply existing,” the report says.