The economic outlook of the great outdoors

In this episode of Marketplace All-in-One, host Kimberly Adams explores the current state of the U.S. outdoor recreation economy with Rachel Cohen from the Mountain West News Bureau. The conversation begins with a lighthearted cocktail exchange, setting a relaxed tone before diving into economic trends. While outdoor recreation saw a surge during the pandemic, recent data shows signs of slowing growth due to post-pandemic normalization, ongoing tariff impacts on apparel and gear imports, and weather volatility—particularly a poor ski season in the West. A key development discussed is a new Forest Service rule allowing ski resorts greater flexibility to diversify into year-round activities like mountain biking, concerts, and zip-lining, signaling adaptation to climate change. The episode also covers the Forest Service’s controversial move of its headquarters from Washington, D.C., to Salt Lake City, raising concerns about institutional knowledge loss and workforce attrition. Park visitation dipped slightly in 2025 after a record year in 2024, attributed to a government shutdown, reduced international tourism, and a new $100-per-person fee for non-residents entering national parks. The segment concludes with a fun game featuring Rachel and host Drew Jostad, where they debate outdoor preferences like hiking vs. biking, camping vs. glamping, and mountains vs. oceans—revealing a close split in public sentiment. The episode blends economic insight with personal storytelling and audience engagement.