Sort: Date Posted Title

posted Mar 7, 2019

The Economic and Fiscal Impact of the Hatfield-McCoy Trail System in West Virginia

The analysis indicates that the nearly $1.7 million in spending conducted by the Hatfield-McCoy Trails for day-to-day operations generated an additional $1.6 million in economic activity within the State, for a total operational impact of $3.3 million. Even more notably, the Hatfield-McCoy Trails bring non-local visitors to the area whose spending is estimated to generate an additional $19 million in economic activity in West Virginia. Together, the total estimated economic impact of the Hatfield-McCoy Trails is more than $22 million.


posted Mar 6, 2019

2022 Economic Contribution of Off-Highway Vehicle Recreation in Colorado

by Colorado Off Highway Vehicle Coalition

During the 2014–2015 season, motorized recreational enthusiasts spent an estimated $1.6 billion while taking trips using motorized vehicles for recreational purposes. More than 92 percent of these expenditures occurred during the summer recreational season. In addition to spending money on trips, households that participate in motorized recreation also spend money on maintenance, repairs, accessories, vehicle storage, and miscellaneous items associated with their vehicles. Motorized recreational enthusiasts spent more than an estimated $724 million annually on various items to support and enhance their experiences in Colorado, including $163 million in new vehicle purchases. In total, motorized recreational enthusiasts were responsible for $2.3 billion in direct expenditures related to motorized recreation in Colorado during the 2014–2015 season.


posted Mar 6, 2019

MO-MOTO OHV Incorporated – OHV Tourism Economic Impact Overview

OHV recreation is a proven financial stimulus to the tourism market with the average rider spending a minimum of $100 on a single day trip. We should encourage struggling areas to embrace OHV tourism as we have the opportunity to directly impact and benefit financial success of local businesses. We can connect rural Missouri to OHV trails, which would provide new employment and income while bringing new money to these distressed regions. OHV tourism can diversify the economy of South East Missouri and create a culture of entrepreneurship based around trail oriented business (outfitters, rentals, guides, cabins, hotels, restaurants, etc) the same way the state park industry has to several Missouri communities.


posted Mar 6, 2019

Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account: Updated Statistics for 2012-2016

Updated statistics from the Outdoor Recreation Satellite Account (ORSA) released by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) show that the outdoor recreation economy accounted for 2.2 percent ($412 billion) of current-dollar GDP in 2016 (table 2). In data produced for the first time, using inflation-adjusted (real) GDP, the outdoor recreation economy grew 1.7 percent in 2016, faster than the 1.6 percent growth for the overall U.S. economy (table 6). In addition, real gross output, compensation, and employment all grew faster in outdoor recreation than in the overall economy in 2016.


posted Mar 6, 2019

Iowa Off-Highway Vehicle Operations, Operators, Expenditures And Economic Impacts

Iowa off-highway vehicle owners spent approximately $72.4 million in 2018 on in-state operating expenses and related personal expenses. Total Iowa asset purchase and operating/personal expenditures generated approximately 1,018 jobs in the Iowa economy paying an average of $42,850 annually. Off-highway vehicle owners spent about $28.9 million outside the state of Iowa in 2018. If that had been spent in-state, it would have generated $34.9 million in Iowa industrial output and 374 jobs paying annual incomes of $31,180 per job.


posted Feb 19, 2019

2018 NRT Photo Contest Winners Announced

by American Trails Staff

The results are in! Here are our picks from the 136 photos submitted for the 2018 photo contest.


posted Feb 19, 2019

Black History Has Always Played an Important Role in the Trails World

by American Trails

February is Black History Month, and a perfect time to shine a light on some well known, and some lesser known, ways in which African Americans have helped shape our nation's trail and park history.


posted Feb 15, 2019

Landowner Relations Manual

by Bruce Trail Conservancy

This manual explains the duties of the Landowner Relations Director for the Bruce Trail and suggests some of the best and most effective ways to carry them out. A Landowner Relations Director is fundamental to the success of securing a permanent corridor for the Trail.


posted Feb 15, 2019

Landowner Outreach and Trail Planning

by Mendocino Land Trust

The most important part of the planning process is building relationships with the people affected by the proposed trail and its potential users.


posted Feb 15, 2019

Volunteer Guide to Trail Protection

by North Country National Scenic Trail

As we forge ahead building new trail each year, particularly on private land, how will we make sure the trail and the surrounding area are enjoyed into future generations?


posted Feb 6, 2019

The Five Best National Recreation Trails for Valentine’s Day

by Taylor Goodrich with American Trails

With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, now is the perfect time to plan an outing to one of America’s National Recreation Trails. Nothing is more romantic than time spent together outdoors, and since National Recreation Trails are some of the finest trails our country has to offer, planning a date on one of these trails is a sure fire way to create an unforgettable holiday.


posted Jan 23, 2019

FAQ: Do the low stream crossings for trails and greenways conform to accessibility guidelines?

by American Trails Staff

Low water crossings are designed to allow normal flow under the trail, and to be over-topped during seasonal floods.