Running was the the most popular outdoor activity amongst people in the United States in 2021, accounting for over 64 million participants. The second most popular outdoor sport in the North American country was hiking with approximately 58 million participants during the same year.
Physical activity in the United States
The share of people who took part in outdoor sports in the United States stayed relatively constant between 2013 and 2018, at close to 60 percent. In 2019, however, there was a small drop to 50.7 percent which progressively climbed back to 53.9 percent in 2021. When broadening the scope to any type of physical activity, the participation rate was at 75.6 percent in 2020, a stable value since at least 2013.
The Great Outdoors
The United States is renowned worldwide for its natural beauty, making it a prime location for recreational outdoor activities. In 2021, American national parks received 92.25 million visitors combined. In addition, six of the ten longest hiking trails in the world are located in United States, although the greatest one is in their northern neighbor of Canada.
Leading outdoor activities in the United States in 2021, by number of participants
(in millions)
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Outdoor Foundation. (September 19, 2022). Leading outdoor activities in the United States in 2021, by number of participants (in millions) [Graph]. In Statista. Retrieved October 04, 2022, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/190202/number-of-participants-in-outdoor-activities-in-the-us-2009/
Outdoor Foundation. "Leading outdoor activities in the United States in 2021, by number of participants (in millions)." Chart. September 19, 2022. Statista. Accessed October 04, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/190202/number-of-participants-in-outdoor-activities-in-the-us-2009/
Outdoor Foundation. (2022). Leading outdoor activities in the United States in 2021, by number of participants (in millions). Statista. Statista Inc.. Accessed: October 04, 2022. https://www.statista.com/statistics/190202/number-of-participants-in-outdoor-activities-in-the-us-2009/
Outdoor Foundation. "Leading Outdoor Activities in The United States in 2021, by Number of Participants (in Millions)." Statista, Statista Inc., 19 Sep 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/190202/number-of-participants-in-outdoor-activities-in-the-us-2009/
Outdoor Foundation, Leading outdoor activities in the United States in 2021, by number of participants (in millions) Statista, https://www.statista.com/statistics/190202/number-of-participants-in-outdoor-activities-in-the-us-2009/ (last visited October 04, 2022)
