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Director’s Note
As summer winds down, the rhythms of Minnesota begin to shift. The State Fair has wrapped up (I have a near-empty Sweet Martha’s cookie bucket sitting in my pantry), kids are heading back to school, and many of us are looking ahead to fall hunts and haunts. But the end of summer also offers a moment to reflect on what we’ve built together—and to look forward with purpose.
This month’s newsletter is full of reasons to be inspired. Our newly released Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Economic Impact Report puts hard numbers behind something we’ve always known: outdoor recreation is not just fun, it’s a powerful economic engine for our communities. For the first time, we now have county-level data that shows how recreation supports jobs, wages, and quality of life close to home. This information is a game-changer for local leaders, businesses, and residents as they plan investments in trails, parks, and outdoor infrastructure.
We’re also kicking off our 2025–2026 outreach campaign with a community gathering in Bloomington on September 10. These conversations will help us chart a five-year strategic roadmap for Minnesota’s outdoor recreation industry, ensuring the momentum we’ve built continues to grow.
As you scroll through the rest of this issue, you’ll find stories of new projects, emerging trends, and resources that remind us just how vibrant and innovative our industry is. Thank you for being part of this work—together, we’re shaping a future where outdoor recreation thrives in every season.
— Randolph Briley
Director, Outdoor Recreation Industry Partnership
Partnership Updates:
New Report Highlights Local Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation
Our newly released Minnesota Outdoor Recreation Economic Impact Report confirms that outdoor recreation is a major economic driver for the state — contributing $13.5 billion to GDP, supporting more than 96,000 jobs, and generating $5 billion in wages. But the real breakthrough is the county-level data. For the first time, local leaders, businesses, and residents can see how outdoor recreation contributes directly to their own community.
This new detail reveals not just statewide trends but local opportunities:
- In some counties, outdoor recreation accounts for more than 5% of total GDP, rivaling traditional industries.
- Jobs in outdoor-related sectors are spread across the state, with strong concentrations in rural and gateway communities where recreation supports small businesses and tourism.
- Local spending on gear, lodging, and guiding services underscores how recreation connects to everyday economic activity in every corner of Minnesota.
County-level data provides communities with a powerful planning tool. By understanding the return on recreation at the local scale, communities can make smarter investments in trails, parks, access points, and infrastructure that improve quality of life while strengthening local economies. This information can also help guide workforce development, attract new residents and businesses, and ensure that outdoor opportunities continue to thrive close to home. Read the full report here!
Join ORIP in Bloomington on Sep. 10!
The first stop on our 2025-2026 outreach campaign is just around the corner. We will convene at the REI in Bloomington from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. on Sep. 10, to dive deeper into the new Outdoor Recreation Economic Impact Report and gather feedback to inform the development of our Five-Year Strategic Roadmap for Minnesota’s Outdoor Recreation Industry.
If you’re reading this newsletter, you are definitely our target audience for these convenings. If you are in the Twin Cities area, and interested in joining us, please RSVP here.
Groundbreaking held for Silver Bay multi-modal trailhead project
A groundbreaking ceremony was held Aug. 5 in Silver Bay for a new multi-modal trailhead designed to enhance access to outdoor recreation on the North Shore.
Iron Range Resources & Rehabilitation (IRRR) Commissioner Ida Rukavina spoke at the event, which also featured remarks from U.S. Rep. Pete Stauber, Sen. Grant Hauschild, Sen. Keri Heintzeman, Rep. Roger Skraba, former Sen. Tom Bakk and former Rep. Rob Ecklund.
The $5.77 million project will include parking, restrooms, a visitor information kiosk and connections to nearby hiking, biking, ATV and snowmobile trails.
The project is supported by a $400,000 Regional Trails grant from IRRR, along with funding from the Minnesota Legislature through state bonding, the Legislative-Citizen Commission on Minnesota Resources, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources through the Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund and the Transportation Alternatives Program through the Minnesota Department of Transportation.
Outdoor Industry News:
Overlanding Goes Mainstream
Once considered niche, overlanding has officially exploded into the mainstream. The 2025 Overland Industry Report projects more than 12 million Americans will hit the trails this year—up from 8 million in 2024. Driven largely by Gen Z and millennials, today’s overlanders are taking multiple trips annually, investing heavily in vehicle upgrades, and seeking not just gear but community, education, and connection. The report underscores a growing movement fueled by freedom, exploration, and a desire to travel responsibly. See report here.
Fishing Participation Hits Record High—But Retention Remains a Challenge
A record 57.9 million Americans—nearly one in five people—went fishing in 2024, according to the Recreational Boating & Fishing Foundation’s Special Report on Fishing. While more women, youth, and diverse participants than ever are casting lines, churn continues to threaten long-term growth, with 16.6 million anglers dropping out last year. The report underscores the importance of early introduction (85% of anglers started before age 12), as well as industry efforts to make fishing more accessible, social, and affordable to keep newcomers engaged. See report here.
ORR Launches New Trail Map for Rural Development
The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable has released its Trail Map for Rural Development in America, a new resource to help federal, state, Tribal, local, and philanthropic leaders harness outdoor recreation as a driver of rural prosperity. Organized around five pillars—Education, Community Vision, Financing & Implementation, Resilience, and Innovation—the Trail Map highlights strategies to grow economies, strengthen resilience, and improve quality of life in rural communities. Paired with ORR’s updated Rural Development Needs Map, featuring 350+ communities seeking support, the Trail Map provides a clear path for partners to invest in recreation as a catalyst for long-term impact. Find the trail map here.
Outdoor Recreation Participation Soars—Data May be Hard to Come By
More than 180 million Americans got outdoors in 2024—an all-time high with 58% of the U.S. population recreating outside, according to the Outdoor Industry Association. While participation is up, frequency of outings remains low, with newcomers representing a major but still untapped opportunity. At the same time, proposed federal changes could jeopardize the Bureau of Economic Analysis’s annual outdoor recreation economic report, which has been critical in proving the industry’s $1.2 trillion impact and supporting legislation like the EXPLORE Act. Learn more here.
Winnebago’s Chad Reece Inducted into RV Hall of Fame
After 37 years with Winnebago Industries, Chad Reece, vice president of government and industry relations, is being honored as a 2025 inductee into the RV Hall of Fame. From his early days on the production floor to pioneering marketing strategies and representing the RV industry with policymakers, Reece has helped shape both Winnebago and the broader outdoor recreation sector. Reflecting on his career, he points to customer-driven innovation, advances in connectivity, and a culture of continuous improvement as key to the RV industry’s success — and its exciting road ahead. Congratulations Chad! Read more here.
Resource Highlights:
$12 Million in Grants to Grow Minnesota’s Community Forests
The Minnesota DNR has announced a record $12 million in grants to help communities plant, maintain, and protect trees statewide—the largest investment since the program began. Funded by the Legislature, the Community Tree Planting and ReLeaf Grants will expand healthy, resilient forests while addressing pests like emerald ash borer, improving public health, and building climate resilience. Local governments, Tribes, nonprofits, and schools are eligible, with applications due in October. Learn more here.
Helping Landowners Reforest Minnesota
The Minnesota DNR’s Field to Forest Cost-Share Program is offering private landowners financial support to restore tree cover on open lands like pastures or crop fields. Selected projects receive up to 75% reimbursement for planting costs plus a $500-per-acre incentive payment after planting in spring 2026. Reforesting open land boosts property value, improves soils and water quality, and provides critical wildlife habitat. Applications are open through Dec. 1 for projects of 3 acres or more. Learn more here.
$12 Million for Workforce Development in High-Demand Fields
Governor Tim Walz and DEED have announced $12 million in new Drive for 5 grants to expand workforce training and job placement in Minnesota’s fastest-growing industries: caring professions, education, manufacturing, technology, and the trades. For outdoor recreation businesses, this program is an opportunity to strengthen the talent pipeline—whether that’s skilled trades for gear and equipment manufacturing, tech roles for digital platforms, or education-related jobs that expand outdoor learning and workforce pathways. By partnering on a Drive for 5 grant, outdoor businesses can access trained workers, meet critical staffing needs, and help shape the next generation of the industry. Learn more here.
New Interactive Outdoor Recreation Dashboard
The Tourism Center has launched a new interactive dashboard featuring regional household survey data on outdoor recreation. Conducted in fall 2024 by the North Central, Northeast, and Southern Regional Rural Development Centers, this demographically representative survey provides a rare opportunity to compare outdoor recreation patterns across regional and state levels. Explore the dashboard to see how your community stacks up, and discover insights to guide future recreation planning and investment.
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