The USA adventure tourism market is expected to grow from an estimated USD 37.7 billion in 2025 to USD 60.7 billion by 2035, with a CAGR of 4.9% during the forecast period from 2025 to 2035.
| Attributes | Value |
|---|---|
| Estimated Industry Size (2025E) | USD 37,719.6 Million |
| Projected Value (2035F) | USD 60,718.9 Million |
| Value-based CAGR (2025 to 2035) | 4.9% |
The growth of demand for real and exciting experiences, improvement of outdoor-focused infrastructure, and the increasing focus on environmentally sustainable travel will all contribute to growth. In addition, the rise in disposable income, the younger generation's preference for active adventures, and social media-driven travel trends will all be significant factors influencing the market.
With these opportunities, the industry in the USA is expected to grow 1.6X in the next decade translating to an absolute dollar opportunity of USD 23 Billion between 2025 and 2035.
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The following table provides a comparative assessment of the changes in CAGR for the base year, 2024, and the current year, 2025. This half-year analysis has been used to monitor shifts in market dynamics and define revenue trends.
It is expected that the USA adventure tourism market will grow at a CAGR of 4.9% in the first half of 2024, with a slight increase to 5.1% in the second half. The growth rate is predicted to rise further to 5.3% in H1 2025, and up to 5.4% in H2 2025. This shift indicates that as more adventure tourism products are introduced and new adventure destinations are promoted, stronger growth in demand for adventure tourism is anticipated.
| Date | Development & Details |
|---|---|
| Jan 2025 | Expansion of Adventure Outdoors Inc.: The operations of Adventure Outdoors Inc. were expanded into the national parks of Colorado and Utah, focusing on sustainable travel offerings such as eco-friendly hiking tours and guided mountain biking adventures. |
| Oct 2024 | New Adventure Packages by Wild Ventures: A new range of adventure tourism packages was launched by Wild Ventures, including off-road tours, backcountry skiing, and white-water rafting in the Pacific Northwest, targeting international adventure tourists. |
| May 2024 | Expanding Coastal Adventure Offerings by California Adventures: Coastal activities, including surf lessons, kite surfing, and underwater diving excursions, were expanded by California Adventures, tapping into the increasing demand for water-based adventure tourism. |
| Mar 2024 | Partnership Between National Park Foundation and Outdoor Expeditions: A new partnership was formed to develop adventure tourism packages combining outdoor exploration with wildlife conservation efforts in Yellowstone and the Grand Canyon national parks. |
| Sept 2024 | Virtual Reality (VR) Adventure Tours Launched by ExploreUSA: A collaboration between ExploreUSA and tech firms led to the introduction of VR adventure experiences, allowing potential tourists to explore and book activities like skydiving, rock climbing, and rafting through immersive virtual experiences. |
Rising Popularity of Adventure Tourism in the USA
Adventure tourism in the USA has seen an increase in demand with tourists in search of exciting, adrenaline-rush activities, and immersion experiences in the wild. Hiking, mountain biking, rock climbing, water sports, and safaris in national parks attract domestic and international tourists. American travelers are demanding authentic travel in nature, where companies like Wild Ventures and California Adventures seize this opportunity with innovative, sustainable packages.
Increasing Demand for Eco-Friendly and Sustainable Tourism
Eco-tourism is increasingly mushrooming across the USA as many tourists now look for outdoor activities that take precedence over environmental degradation. National parks and natural reserves have been the prime locations for adventure tourism by offering nature tours, campsites that provide sustainable camping experience, and all kinds of activities related to conservations. All these eco-friendly experience will soon form a vital portion of the USA adventure tourism market, where there is an added value of sustainability for travelers.
California emerging as a Hub for Adventure Tourism
California remains a prime destination for adventure tourism in the United States due to its diverse landscape. From the dramatic cliffs of Big Sur to the mountainous terrain of the Sierra Nevada, there is a whole range of activities to be undertaken for adventure seekers. The new infrastructure, coupled with its responsible tourism policy, have made California a go-to destination for the environmentally conscious tourist looking for wide outdoor experiences, such as hiking in Yosemite National Park or surfing in Malibu.
Colorado emerging as a Rapidly Growing Adventure Tourism Destination
Colorado has emerged as a destination for adventure tourism, with national parks, mountain ranges, and ski resorts. It has focused on the promotion of outdoor activities such as hiking, mountain biking, and skiing, thereby becoming a place that is increasingly sought after by both domestic and international travelers in search of thrilling experiences.
Soft Adventure Activities Continue to Dominate
It is expected that soft adventure activities, such as hiking, camping, nature walks, and wildlife safaris, will capture 70.5% of the market share in 2025. These activities appeal to a broad demographic, particularly those looking for adventure without the intense physical demands of hard activities like rock climbing and white-water rafting.
National parks such as Yellowstone, the Grand Canyon, and Yosemite are still among the most popular soft adventure destinations with accessible trails and activities for every skill level. For example, the "Grand Canyon Rim-to-Rim" trail is a moderately challenging hike with spectacular views, while the "Yosemite Valley Loop" is a more relaxed experience. The same is true for cycling, with established routes like the "Great Allegheny Passage," which is a scenic, long-distance trail connecting Pennsylvania and Maryland.
Eco-tourism and sustainability have also enhanced the soft adventure industry. Some programs, for instance, offer "Alaska Wilderness Adventures" with ecotourist-friendly wildlife excursions, kayaking, and hiking in pristine areas.
In addition, the growing interest in wellness and active travel has encouraged destinations such as Costa Rica and the Pacific Northwest to offer yoga retreats, guided nature walks, and other family-friendly soft adventure packages. Overall, soft adventure tourism in the U.S. is performing well, as travelers seek immersive, sustainable, and physically engaging experiences.
Family Tours See Steady Popularity
Family tours are likely to continue holding a large market share. Family tours are the most prominent, 55.3%, followed by group and family tours, which are convenient, shared experiences that save costs. These tours specifically appeal to adventure as an extension of social activity. Solo travelers and couples have increasingly looked for experiential thrill with personal space.
Aside from hiking, the other favorite family activity includes cycling. The "Virginia Creeper Trail" in Virginia has a family-friendly bike trail for a leisurely ride through beautiful Appalachian scenery. Some other family fun places include "Jackson Hole, Wyoming", where one can have rafting, horseback riding, or even go on a wildlife safari in the summers.
Many adventure travel companies now offer specially designed family tours, from multi-sport packages that comprise hiking, kayaking, and wildlife viewing, to suit family needs and safety. As interest in active, nature-based vacation continues to rise in the United States, family adventure tourism follows the same trend, drawing families looking to enjoy bonding experiences in the great outdoors.
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United States adventure tourism shows a moderate degree of consolidation; leading players, such as California Adventures, Wild Ventures, and Adventure Outdoors Inc., would have better opportunities to drive the market forward.
These operators would be expected to maintain market share through delivering distinctive and varied experience opportunities in line with growing nature-oriented, green tourism interest. Smaller players would focus on niche segments where they can create their own special product, delivering specialty tours for more specific adventure experiences.
It is expected that the USA adventure tourism market will grow at a CAGR of 4.9% from 2025 to 2035.
The market is projected to reach an estimated value of USD 60.7 billion by 2035.
The key drivers will be increasing demand for eco-tourism, sustainable travel, and adventure experiences. Increasing interest in outdoor activities and immersive travel experiences will contribute to market growth.
Key players in the industry include California Adventures, Wild Ventures, Adventure Outdoors Inc., and Explore USA, known for their diverse and sustainable adventure tourism offerings.
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