The 1961 USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships were organized by the Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) and served as the national championships in outdoor track and field for the United States.

The women's meet was held separately at the Gilroy Field in Gary, Indiana, on 1–2 July.

At the men's championships, the weather was clear despite threats of rain, and Frank Budd set a world record of 9.2 seconds in the 100 yards.

20,000 people attended on the final day of the race.

[1] In the women's competition, a record 51 clubs competed and the Mayor Daley Youth Foundation won the meet overall.