Almost 143 million Americans, or 49.2 percent of the US population, participated in an outdoor activity at least once in 2013, according to the most recent figures from the Outdoor Foundation and OIA. While 8.1 million Americans started participating in one or more of the outdoor activities measured, 7.4 million folks stopped, leading to a net gain of 700,000 participants, representing a annual growth rate of about 0.4 percent. And while the actual number of outdoor participants increased since 2012, the participation rate fell slightly, due to population growth, show the Outdoor Foundation figures.
What’s more, participants went on a total of 12.1 billion outdoor outings in 2013, a minor decrease from 12.4 billion in 2012.
Running, including jogging and trail running, was the most popular activity among Americans when measured by number of participants and by number of total annual outings. Walking for fitness was pegged as the most popular “crossover activity.” And the biggest motivator for outdoor participation was getting exercise.
The report is based on an online survey of more than 19,000 Americans ages six and older and covers 114 different outdoor activities. The study, which provides an in-depth look at youth, shows mixed results about the youngest generations’ participation in outdoor activities. Participation among teenage girls made up for some of the losses seen in 2012 by adding three percentage points. Meanwhile, participation rates among girls and young women increased by two percentage points — bringing young women’s participation to the highest rate since 2006. Participation among male youth, on the other hand, either fell or remained steady.
Youth who did not participate in outdoor activities said they were simply not interested in the outdoors.
