2026 birdwatching & Wildlife viewing report

Birdwatching and Wildlife Viewing Are a Growing Force in the Outdoor Market

Birdwatching is our industry’s fastest-rising nature-based pursuit. The 2026 Birdwatching and Wildlife Viewing Report reveals how a surging base of birdwatchers, alongside a more established wildlife viewing audience, is creating new opportunities across the outdoor economy, from optics and apparel buyers to enthusiasts who also hike, camp, and fish. Whether you’re a brand looking to reach an older, affluent, and highly engaged audience or a retailer planning for long-term growth, this report gives you the insights to plan smarter.

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2026 Outdoor Participation Trends Report

2026-outdoor-participation-trends-report

Outdoor Participation Is Growing.  But Frequency Is Falling

Outdoor recreation participation reached an all-time high to open 2026, but the headline number tells only half the story. A record 183.2 million Americans got outside in 2025, 59% of the population ages 6 and older, capping a years-long climb that has added nearly 30 million participants since 2019. Yet even as the participant base expands, Americans are heading outdoors less often than they did before the pandemic, a shift toward more casual, less consistent engagement. With the industry’s next phase of growth hinging less on recruiting first-timers and more on turning current participants into frequent ones, understanding where participation is rising and where frequency is slipping has never been more important.

OIA’s 2026 Outdoor Participation Trends Report is now available. Now in its 15th year, the 70-page report covers participation data by demographic, activity, region, income, and age group, standout gains among children, adults 65+, and Hispanic participants, and the growing frequency gap that will define the industry’s next decade. Check out the report for the key findings and what they mean for the industry.

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2026 Outdoor Retail Trends Report

Outdoor Retail Is Holding Its Ground

Tariff-driven price increases tested consumer spending across the outdoor market last year, but the full picture is more nuanced. OIA’s 2026 Outdoor Retail Trends Report breaks down what sold, what softened, and where the real opportunities lie across footwear, apparel, equipment, and specialty retail. Whether you’re a brand refining your pricing strategy or a retailer planning for the future, this report gives you the market intelligence to define your strategy. 

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OIA 2026 Camping Report

Casual Camping Is the Industry’s Next Big Opportunity

Camping is our industry’s most reliable gateway to broader outdoor recreation. OIA’s 2026 Camping Report reveals how an expanding base of casual campers is creating new opportunities across the outdoor economy, from first-time tent buyers to enthusiasts who go on to invest in hiking, fishing, and beyond. Whether you’re a brand looking to reach untapped demographics or a retailer planning for long-term growth, this report gives you the insights to plan smarter.

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OIA 2026 Hiking Report

The Hiking Boom Isn’t Slowing Down

Hiking has never been more popular—and the opportunity has never been bigger. OIA’s 2026 Hiking Report reveals how 63.4 million Americans are hitting the trails, with core hikers deepening their commitment and casual participants representing a powerful gateway into the broader outdoor industry. Whether you’re a brand building your next product line or a retailer looking to capture a growing market, this report gives you the data to make informed decisions.

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OIA 2025 Outdoor Footwear Report

Step Into the Data: Outdoor Footwear Market Trends

The Outdoor Footwear Report 2025 is the first of its kind, providing a focused analysis of trends within the outdoor footwear segment, focusing on the 150 million participants who are walking for fitness, running, trail running, or backpacking. The executive summary is a preview of the data available in the full report, leveraging sources like Circana, Civic Science, and RunRepeat to offer comprehensive insights into consumer behavior, sales patterns, and emerging opportunities. 

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OIA 2025 Outdoor Consumer Trends Report

Understand Today’s Consumers. Shape Tomorrow’s Strategy.

The outdoor consumer has changed. OIA’s 2025 Outdoor Consumer Trends Report reveals how casual and active lifestyle participants now drive over 90% of market spending. Whether you’re a retailer trying to drive in-store growth or a brand looking to design smarter, this free report is your strategic advantage.

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