What Is America's Favorite Hobby? The Top Outdoor Activity Millions Do Every Week

Ask most Americans what they do on weekends, and you’ll hear the same answer over and over: they’re outside. Not at a concert, not scrolling through their phone, not binge-watching the latest show. They’re walking, fishing, gardening, or just sitting in their backyard with a cup of coffee. The truth is, America’s favorite hobby isn’t flashy. It doesn’t need a ticket, a subscription, or a fancy gadget. It’s simple. It’s outdoors. And it’s not even close.

Fishing Is the Undisputed King

If you want to know what the most popular outdoor activity in America is, look at the numbers. In 2024, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service reported that over 54 million Americans fished at least once that year. That’s more than the population of Texas. And it’s not just weekend anglers-nearly 17 million people fished more than 10 times. Bass, trout, catfish, panfish-you name it, someone’s casting a line for it.

Why fishing? It’s cheap. A basic rod and reel cost less than $50. You don’t need a car to get to a pond-many towns have public lakes or streams within walking distance. It’s quiet. It’s patient. It doesn’t demand speed or skill. You can do it alone or with kids, grandparents, or friends. And it’s not just about catching fish. For many, it’s about being still. About listening to water, watching birds, waiting. It’s therapy with a hook.

Compare that to other hobbies. Golf? Only 24 million played in 2024. Hunting? Around 15 million. Fishing wins by a landslide. It’s the only outdoor activity that crosses every age, income, and region. From the Florida Keys to the Great Lakes, from rural Alabama to suburban Chicago, someone’s sitting on a dock with a cooler and a hat.

Gardening: The Quiet Revolution

Right behind fishing is gardening. In 2023, the National Gardening Association found that 78 million U.S. households grew vegetables, flowers, or herbs. That’s more than three out of every four homes. And it’s not just boomers. Gen Z and millennials are planting their first tomato plants and succulents in apartment balconies. Urban gardening has exploded-window boxes, rooftop farms, community plots. People aren’t just growing food. They’re growing calm.

Why now? After years of lockdowns and digital overload, people crave dirt. Real dirt. The kind that gets under your nails and smells like rain. Gardening doesn’t require a gym membership or a subscription. It just needs sunlight and water. And the rewards are immediate: a ripe strawberry, a blooming rose, the quiet pride of feeding yourself from your own soil.

It’s also one of the most accessible hobbies. You don’t need a yard. You don’t need to be an expert. A pot on a fire escape counts. A few herbs on a windowsill counts. You can start today with a packet of seeds from the grocery store.

Walking: The Forgotten Giant

Here’s something most people don’t realize: walking is the most common outdoor activity in America-by far. The CDC says 57% of adults walk for exercise at least once a week. That’s over 180 million people. More than fishing. More than gardening. More than biking or hiking combined.

Why isn’t it talked about like the others? Because it’s too simple. No gear. No training. No membership. Just shoes and a sidewalk. People walk to the store, to the park, to the bus stop. They walk after dinner. They walk while talking on the phone. They walk to clear their heads.

But walking isn’t just movement. It’s ritual. In neighborhoods across America, you’ll find people walking the same route every day-past the same trees, the same mailbox, the same dog that barks at them. It’s not exercise. It’s connection. To the rhythm of their town. To their own thoughts. To the changing seasons.

And it’s free. No app needed. No subscription. No cost. That’s why it wins.

People growing herbs and flowers in pots on a sunny city balcony.

Hiking: The Rise of the Trails

Hiking used to be for backpackers and outdoorsy types. Now? It’s mainstream. The Outdoor Industry Association reports that 51 million Americans hiked in 2024. That’s up 35% since 2019. Trails are packed on weekends. National parks are booking out months in advance. Even cities are building urban trails-like Atlanta’s BeltLine or New York’s High Line-where people walk, jog, and bike along repurposed railways.

What changed? Social media. Instagram made mountains look like backdrops, not destinations. YouTube made trail reviews easy to find. Apps like AllTrails turned hiking into a checklist. But the real reason? People are tired of screens. They want to feel wind on their face. They want to hear silence. They want to climb something real.

Hiking doesn’t require perfection. You don’t need $500 boots. A pair of sneakers and a water bottle are enough. Start with a local park trail. Walk for 30 minutes. See how you feel.

Why Outdoor Hobbies Win

What do fishing, gardening, walking, and hiking all have in common? They don’t cost a lot. They don’t require permission. They don’t need Wi-Fi. And they don’t leave you drained.

Compare that to other popular pastimes. Streaming? You pay monthly. Gaming? You buy consoles, games, controllers. Going out to eat? It adds up fast. Even yoga classes cost $20 a session.

Outdoor hobbies cost almost nothing. And they give back more than entertainment. They lower stress. They improve sleep. They boost vitamin D. They help you move without calling it “exercise.”

Studies from the University of Michigan show that spending just 20 minutes outside in nature lowers cortisol levels-your body’s main stress hormone. Another study from Stanford found that walking in nature reduces rumination-the endless loop of negative thoughts that leads to anxiety.

These aren’t just hobbies. They’re survival tools. In a world that’s always pushing, always demanding, always loud, stepping outside is the quietest act of resistance.

A lone walker on a peaceful urban path at dawn, surrounded by trees and fog.

What’s Not on the List

You won’t see camping or boating in the top five. Why? They require planning. Gear. Transportation. Time. Fishing? You can do it after work. Gardening? You can do it while watching TV. Walking? You can do it in your pajamas.

And you won’t see team sports. Basketball, soccer, softball-those are great, but they need groups, schedules, fields. Outdoor hobbies thrive on flexibility. On solitude. On showing up for yourself, not for a team.

The real winners are the ones you can do alone, on your own time, without asking anyone’s permission.

Where to Start

So what if you want to join the millions who find peace outside? You don’t need to buy anything. You don’t need to travel far.

Go for a 15-minute walk after dinner. Look at the sky. Notice the trees.
Buy a small pot, some soil, and a basil plant. Put it on your windowsill. Water it once a week.
Find a local pond or creek. Bring a chair. Sit. Don’t try to catch anything. Just listen.
Download AllTrails. Search for "easy hikes near me." Pick one. Go alone. No phone.

You don’t need to be an expert. You don’t need to post it online. You don’t need to prove anything. Just go outside. For 20 minutes. Every day. That’s all it takes.

It’s Not About the Activity. It’s About the Space.

America’s favorite hobby isn’t fishing. Or gardening. Or walking. It’s being outside. In quiet. In stillness. In real air. In real light.

People aren’t chasing hobbies. They’re chasing peace. And outside, it’s waiting for them-right now.

Is fishing really the most popular hobby in America?

Yes. According to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s 2024 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, 54 million Americans fished at least once that year. That’s more than any other outdoor activity, including gardening, hiking, or walking. While walking has more participants overall, fishing leads among structured outdoor hobbies with regular participation.

Why is walking considered an outdoor hobby if it’s so common?

Walking is the most common form of outdoor activity because it’s accessible, free, and requires no special equipment. The CDC reports that 57% of U.S. adults walk for exercise weekly. Unlike running or biking, walking doesn’t require training or gear. People walk for errands, for stress relief, for health, or just because. It’s not just movement-it’s a daily ritual for millions.

Do I need a yard to start gardening?

No. You don’t need a yard. Thousands of people grow herbs in windowsills, tomatoes in hanging baskets, or succulents on fire escapes. A 6-inch pot, some soil, and a sunny spot are all you need. Community gardens are also available in most cities. Gardening is about connection to nature-not space.

Is hiking only for fit people?

No. Hiking isn’t about fitness levels-it’s about effort. Many trails are flat, paved, or short. Apps like AllTrails let you filter by difficulty, distance, and elevation. A 1-mile loop with no steep climb counts as hiking. You don’t need to summit a mountain. You just need to step off the pavement.

Why aren’t sports like basketball or soccer on the list?

Team sports require schedules, equipment, and other people. Outdoor hobbies like fishing, gardening, and walking are solo-friendly, low-cost, and don’t need planning. You can do them anytime, alone, with no one else involved. That’s why they dominate: they fit into real life, not the other way around.

Can spending time outside really reduce stress?

Yes. Multiple studies, including one from the University of Michigan, show that just 20 minutes in nature lowers cortisol levels-the body’s main stress hormone. Another from Stanford found that walking in green spaces reduces rumination, the cycle of negative thoughts linked to anxiety and depression. Nature doesn’t fix everything, but it gives your brain a reset.

Start small. Go outside. Stay a while. You’ll be surprised what you find.