Resources for Outdoor
Business Owners

Explore the Impact

Virginia’s outdoor recreation sector generates $14.4 billion annually in economic impact and supports more than 126,000 jobs. This impact is driven by multiple sectors drawing visitors to Virginia to enjoy hiking, fishing, hunting, wildlife watching, and more. Explore the resources below to see how different activities contribute to Virginia’s outdoor recreation economy.

Economic Development & Outdoor Recreation

Virginia’s outdoor recreation economy has grown by $4 billion since pre-COVID levels. Employment in the sector has more than doubled since 2012. During this time, Virginia’s outdoor recreation economy grew by 84% — which sounds impressive until we consider that Tennessee’s outdoor economy grew by 150% and North Carolina’s doubled in the same period.

Across the Commonwealth, the economic impact of outdoor recreation is driven by spending on retail (which adds $3.9 billion in value to the state economy each year), food and accommodations ($2.1 billion), and entertainment and recreation activities ($1.3 billion). These numbers bring Virginia into 18th place among all US states for economic value added by outdoor recreation. Again, our neighbors are outpacing us: Tennessee ranks 14th and North Carolina is 11th.

Localities across Virginia have identified investments in their outdoor recreation economies and assets as important economic development strategies. Explore a selection of local plans below, and let us know of a plan not listed here by sharing it with ovo@ourvirginiaoutdoors.com! 

  • Cumberland Plateau Outdoor Economy Plan: This plan identifies investments in Buchanan, Dickenson, Russell, and Tazewell counties, including improved signposting at the East River Mountain Trailhead, strengthening connections between surrounding communities and Breaks Interstate Park, and expanding the Spearhead Trails system.
  • New River Valley Regional Economic Strategy: This plan identifies investments in Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski counties, and the City of Radford, including working with local economic development offices to attract and retain high-quality jobs in the outdoor recreation industry, and utilizing tourism initiatives to preserve key natural and historic sites.
  • Northern Shenandoah Valley Regional Economic Development Plan: This plan identifies investments in Clarke, Frederick, Page, Shenandoah, and Warren counties and the City of Winchester, including conducting an inventory of sites to complete necessary upgrades and maintenance to benefit future visitors and building environmental resiliency.
  • Southside Planning District Commission Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy: This plan identifies investments in Brunswick, Halifax, and Mecklenburg Counties, including expanding private-public partnerships and attracting new residents and tourists to the region by increasing access to outdoor recreation and improving downtown infrastructure.

Case Study: Virginia Creeper Trail

This 34-mile trail  is a critical economic asset driving tourism, small businesses, and economic resilience in Southwest Virginia. It drew  more than 112,600 visitors coming to the region in 2023. These visitors bring in new dollars that support restaurants, outfitters, lodging providers, and communities. (Read the 2025 Economic Impact Study)

 

Connect with the Business Community

Unlike many other states, Virginia doesn’t have a statewide outdoor business alliance – yet! Nevertheless, efforts are underway across the Commonwealth to connect the outdoor business community and help our outdoor economy thrive.

  • VA Mountains Collective – A regional business network bringing together outdoor leaders, voices, and businesses from across Southwest Virginia and the Roanoke Valley.
  • Virginia Trails Alliance – A statewide coalition of businesses, non-profits, and other organizations advocating for trail development and connectivity across Virginia 
  • Virginia Director of Outdoor Recreation (coming soon!) – Virginia is hiring a Director of Outdoor Recreation at the Secretariat of Natural and Historic Resources. The new Director will conduct a statewide listening tour and stakeholder engagement sessions on how to grow Virginia’s outdoor recreation economy. Sign up for our newsletter for updates on when and how to engage with the process!

Membership in Our Virginia Outdoors is also free and open to businesses serving the outdoor recreation sector in Virginia. Join us in advocating for a state Office of Outdoor Recreation and increased investment in Virginia’s outdoor recreation spaces and amenities. Contact ovo@ourvirginiaoutdoors.com to learn more!