Outdoor Recreation, Parks, & Trails

In 2016, nearly half of all Americans (48.6%) reported participating in at least one outdoor activity. That equates to 144 million participants, who went on a total of 11 billion outdoor outings. The participation rate and number of participants slightly increased, while the number of total outings decreased.

Almost half—49.0%—of the US population ages 6 and over participated in an outdoor activity at least once in 2017. This continues three years of slight growth in outdoor participation. During the calendar year, outdoor activities attracted 13.6 million participants who tried outdoor activities for the 1st time or returned after a hiatus. The loss of participants was slightly less—11.9 million people stopped participating— which netted 1.7 million more participants from 2016 to 2017.

Strategic vision report summarizing survey responses about how to improve Pennsylvania's state parks and outlining plans for the park system in the coming years.

This guide provides a variety of resources and ideas to establish local ecotourism. Use it to enhance the economy while identifying, teaching, sharing, and preserving unique natural areas that make communities special.

There are 15 state fish hatcheries in Pennsylvania. Owned by the state and operated by the Fish and Boat Commission, these hatcheries are strategically located across the Commonwealth to take advantage of high-quality water supplies and to maximize fish stocking logistics. Pennsylvania's state fish hatcheries are engines for economic development. Eight hatcheries combine to produce some 4 million adult trout annually. Stocked into the waters of the Commonwealth, these trout support fishing activity that generates some $500 million in economic activity each year.

A publication of the Partnership for Better Health and the Cumberland County planning department.

Report analyzing the economic and environmental value of Pennsylvania's state parks and forests, as well as the multi-million dollar maintenance backlog.

The relationship of Americans and nature is changing. Adults and children alike spend evermore time indoors, participation in activities like hunting and fishing is stagnant or declining, and shifts in social expectations treat engagement with nature as a mere amenity. These trends pose a nationwide problem, since overwhelming evidence shows the physical, psychological, and social wellbeing of humans depends on contact with nature. To monitor these trends and to reveal how to restore this relationship, social scientists conducted an unprecedented study of 11,817 adults, children, and parents across the United States in 2015–16.