2026 Hiking Report: Executive Summary

Hiking is now the most popular outdoor activity in America, and the 2026 Hiking Report gives the industry its clearest picture of who is on the trail, how often they go, and what that means for your business.

In 2024, hiking reached a record 63.4 million participants, more than 1 in 5 Americans ages 6 and older. But the bigger story is how it got there. While most outdoor activities spiked during the pandemic and then fell back, hiking has grown every year since 2019, adding more than 13 million new hikers and turning more of them into regular participants. This is not a passing trend. Hiking is the front door to the entire outdoor industry, and the real question for brands and retailers is how to turn a record number of hikers into lifelong outdoor consumers.

Inside the executive summary, you'll find the numbers and insights behind hiking's growth, including these highlights.

• Record participation of 63.4 million hikers in 2024, or 20.5% of Americans ages 6 and older, nearly double the number in 2012
• Steady, lasting growth, with more than 13 million new hikers added since 2019 and no post-pandemic drop-off
• A deepening core of committed hikers, with 16.7 million people hiking 13 or more times a year and the share of frequent hikers on the rise
• The industry's top gateway activity, as more than 90% of hikers also camp, bike, fish, climb, or take part in other outdoor pursuits
• Clear room to grow, with strong untapped potential among people of color and adults under 25, and participation that holds up across every income level
• A practical read on demographics and regions, from the hiker-heavy Pacific region to the age, education, and income patterns behind how hikers buy

Download the Executive Summary to get a clear snapshot of hiking participation, frequency, cross-activity behavior, and demographics, and to see where the biggest opportunities are for product, marketing, and long-term growth.