Findings from the 2023 Annual Outdoor Participation Trends Report reveals the “who, how, and where” in participation in outdoor recreation.

The Outdoor Industry Association (OIA) and Outdoor Foundation (OF), longtime authorities on outdoor participation data, recently released findings from the 2023 Annual Outdoor Participation Trends Report. For more than 15 years, the Outdoor Participation Trends Report has served as the most comprehensive source of insights and narratives around who’s doing what, when, and how outdoors.
The 2023 report reveals increases in the overall outdoor participation and offers some key insights, including the following:
- The outdoor recreation participant base increased by 2.3 percent in 2022 to a record 168.1 million participants or 55 percent of the U.S. population ages six and older.
- While 2022 outdoor recreation included record numbers of participants and record-high participation rates, the number of outings per participant declined in 2022 for the first time since the pandemic began in 2020.
- The new outdoor recreation participant base became more diverse in 2022 including increases in participation among Black, Hispanic, and LGBTQIA+ people.
- Eighty percent of outdoor activity categories experienced participation growth in 2022, including large categories like camping and fishing and smaller categories like sport climbing and skateboarding.
The full report is available to OIA members only, but readers can request a copy of the Executive Summary with key data points and insights at this link.
FULL STORY: Outdoor Participation Grows for Eighth Consecutive Year

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Congressman Proposes Bill to Rename DC Metro “Trump Train”
The Make Autorail Great Again Act would withhold federal funding to the system until the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), rebrands as the Washington Metropolitan Authority for Greater Access (WMAGA).

The Simple Legislative Tool Transforming Vacant Downtowns
In California, Michigan and Georgia, an easy win is bringing dollars — and delight — back to city centers.

The States Losing Rural Delivery Rooms at an Alarming Pace
In some states, as few as 9% of rural hospitals still deliver babies. As a result, rising pre-term births, no adequate pre-term care and "harrowing" close calls are a growing reality.

The Small South Asian Republic Going all in on EVs
Thanks to one simple policy change less than five years ago, 65% of new cars in this Himalayan country are now electric.

DC Backpedals on Bike Lane Protection, Swaps Barriers for Paint
Citing aesthetic concerns, the city is removing the concrete barriers and flexposts that once separated Arizona Avenue cyclists from motor vehicles.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Smith Gee Studio
City of Charlotte
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
US High Speed Rail Association
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
Municipality of Princeton (NJ)