Texas accounted for $55.8 billion in outdoor recreation spending in 2023, placing it among the top contributors to the national economy, according to data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA). The United States’ outdoor recreation industry generated $639.5 billion last year, with Texas ranking third behind California ($81.5 billion) and Florida ($57.8 billion).
Boating and fishing were the most significant outdoor recreation activities nationally. In Texas, these activities contributed $2.8 billion to the state economy, the third-highest figure in the country. Texas also ranked second in RVing expenditures at $2.5 billion, behind Indiana’s $4.7 billion and ahead of California’s $2 billion. Texas continues to lead in hunting revenues, with $1.7 billion in spending, the highest in the U.S.
The outdoor recreation sector supported nearly 5 million jobs across the United States in 2023. Texas contributed approximately 389,000 of those jobs, making it the third-highest state for outdoor recreation employment, following California (545,000 jobs) and Florida (469,000 jobs).
State Parks and Seasonal Visitation
With 85 state parks, natural areas, and historic sites, Texas attracts millions of visitors during the winter months. Data from the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department shows that an average of 1.6 million people visited the state’s parks each December, January, and February.
Popular regions for winter visits include:
- Prairies and Lakes: 466,432 visitors on average
- Hill Country: 406,038 visitors on average
- Gulf Coast: 188,458 visitors on average
Other regions, such as Pineywoods, Panhandle Plains, South Texas Plains, and Big Bend Country, also see substantial seasonal activity, highlighting the diversity of Texas’ outdoor offerings.
This sector remains a key driver of Texas’ economy, highlighting the value of its natural and recreational resources.
