By Katherine Andrews, Director of the Office of Outdoor Recreation at the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism
Arkansas has long been known as “The Natural State,” and for good reason. Our trails, rivers, forests and lakes aren’t just beautiful—they create economic opportunities and drive our state forward. A new report from the Arkansas Department of Parks, Heritage and Tourism’s Office of Outdoor Recreation, developed with Heartland Forward, affirms that outdoor recreation in The Natural State is one of our most powerful engines for growth.
The numbers highlight Arkansas’ national strength. We rank fourth in the country for the share of our GDP from outdoor product manufacturing, and Arkansas recorded the third-largest percentage increase in GDP contribution from hunting, shooting and trapping among all states from 2019-2023. These rankings don’t just give us bragging rights—they show policymakers and investors that outdoor industries are a vital part of our economy and deserve strong, targeted support.
In 2023 alone, outdoor activities contributed roughly $7.3 billion to the state’s GDP and supported about 68,000 jobs. These aren’t just seasonal or niche jobs. They include manufacturing, retail, tourism and hospitality, touching every corner of our state—in both rural and urban communities.
One State, Many Outdoor Economies
The report makes it clear—outdoor recreation doesn’t look the same across Arkansas. Each region has its own strengths and opportunities, and a single statewide strategy can’t capture that diversity.
In Northwest Arkansas, Bentonville has become famous for being the Mountain Biking Capital of the World™, drawing cyclists from across the globe. In the Delta, Stuttgart proudly calls itself the duck-hunting capital of the world, with peak season hunts bringing as much as $1 million a day to local businesses. And in north-central Arkansas, Mountain Home is home to Ranger Boats and a thriving network of suppliers, making our state a leader in bass boat manufacturing.
Data-Driven Insights Fuel Growth
Good decisions start with good information. That’s why our team partnered with Heartland Forward to develop a new way to track the various regional outdoor recreation jobs and businesses across Arkansas. With this dataset, we can pinpoint where growth is happening, which industries are thriving and where communities may need extra support. Innovative tools give us near real-time insights into jobs and businesses across every region—providing a level of detail no other state has today.
This matters because better information leads to smarter action. For example, our data show that nearly a third of outdoor recreation jobs are in Northwest Arkansas and another quarter are in Central Arkansas. Knowing this helps us match investments to what’s really happening on the ground.
This targeted approach ties directly to the broader vision laid out in the Natural State Initiative, launched by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders. Guided by an advisory council chaired by First Gentleman Bryan Sanders, the initiative focuses on expanding access to the outdoors, improving state park infrastructure, boosting year-round tourism and supporting local outdoor entrepreneurs. With reliable data and a clear strategy, we can turn regional strengths into a unified effort that grows Arkansas’ outdoor economy today and for years to come.
This work is already paying off. We know that tourism is the number two industry in the state, and we have partnered with the state tourism office in a yearly conference to support the outdoor economy and promote the work we are doing to a larger audience. We hosted the first “Natural State Day” at the Capitol, sharing the work and goals of the outdoor industry with our legislative leadership during their annual legislative session. At the same time, our team works with stakeholders to improve infrastructure with new trails, rock climbing and boat launches, and we are working to support our outdoor workforce through Guide ARK, a new verification program for guides and outfitters.
A Call to Collaboration
Outdoor recreation isn’t just about having fun on the weekends. It’s about creating jobs, supporting local businesses and keeping our communities strong. Here in Arkansas, we’ve shown what’s possible when you combine local pride with smart, data-driven investments.
As Arkansans, we know our natural beauty is more than something to admire—it’s a cornerstone of our way of life. By working together and building on our strengths, we can ensure the Natural State’s outdoor heritage not only lives on but drives lasting prosperity for generations to come.