Headwaters Economics
  • Research
    • Economic Development
    • Equity
    • Natural Hazards
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Public Lands
    • Tax Policy
  • Community Assistance
  • Tools
  • About
    • Our ImpactPage about Headwaters Economics’ impact, projects, and services
    • Our Team
  • Contact
Search

Trails & Pathways

  • The Outdoor Recreation Economy by State

    The Outdoor Recreation Economy by State

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    The outdoor recreation economy is large, growing faster than the overall economy, and consists of jobs in many industries. Explore data by state. Read more

  • Trails Research and Searchable Benefits Library

    Trails Research and Searchable Benefits Library

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Headwaters Economics has created a free, curated collection of nearly 200 high-quality studies that measure the wide-ranging benefits that trails bring to communities. Read more

  • The economic potential of the Great American Rail-Trail

    The economic potential of the Great American Rail-Trail

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Through 12 states and the District of Columbia, the Great American Rail-Trail® will attract 25.6 million trips and generate more than $229.4 million in spending. Read more

  • Measuring trail use in Montana’s Bridger mountains

    Measuring trail use in Montana’s Bridger mountains

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Detailed estimates of summer trail use help show the impacts of growing recreational use and highlight infrastructure needs in southwest Montana. Read more

  • Innovative New Ways to Count Outdoor Recreation

    Innovative New Ways to Count Outdoor Recreation

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    New data sources can change the way we count outdoor recreation, allowing trail managers to better advocate for improvements and plan for growing demand. Read more

  • Community benefits of the Merced River Trail

    Community benefits of the Merced River Trail

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    The Merced River Trail in Mariposa County, California will create benefits for the economy and businesses, quality of life, and public health. Read more

  • Trails Toolkit: Helping Communities Invest Wisely

    Trails Toolkit: Helping Communities Invest Wisely

    Kelly Pohl

    Communities and local leaders can utilize this trails toolkit to better understand whether and how trails can accomplish local goals, along with the cost and benefits of proposed projects. Read more

  • City Trails: Improving Equitable Access

    City Trails: Improving Equitable Access

    Chris Mehl

    Urban trail efforts increasingly are focusing on providing equitable access to trails. Trails and parks can create substantial benefits for public health, property values, and quality of life. Read more

  • Economic Diversification and Outdoor Recreation in Bonner County

    Economic Diversification and Outdoor Recreation in Bonner County

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Improving economic diversification and outdoor recreation in Bonner County will bring new spending and jobs to the community. Read more

  • Best Practices for Watersheds and Recreation

    Best Practices for Watersheds and Recreation

    Kelly Pohl

    Best practices for balancing the needs for clean drinking water, recreation, and economic development in municipal watersheds. Read more

  • Measuring Whitefish Trail Use

    Measuring Whitefish Trail Use

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Outdoor recreation and the economic impact of Whitefish Trail use in Whitefish, Montana. Read more

  • Estimating Trail Use

    Estimating Trail Use

    Patricia Hernandez

    By pairing limited, local surveys with activity tracking app data, we are estimating trail use across large areas. Read more

  • Benefits of a Frontage Path in Gallatin County, Montana

    Benefits of a Frontage Path in Gallatin County, Montana

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Updated: This report describes the benefits of a frontage path–a proposed paved, multi-use pathway connecting Belgrade and Bozeman along an approximately ten-mile stretch of U.S. Highway 10 in Gallatin County. Read more

  • Trail and Pathway Use in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

    Trail and Pathway Use in Jackson Hole, Wyoming

    Patricia Hernandez

    Explore seasonal use—including the amount, type, and timing—for 25 regional trails and pathways. Read more

  • Taos Trails Are Popular But Trail Access Varies

    Taos Trails Are Popular But Trail Access Varies

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    In the Taos, New Mexico area trails are a fundamental part of health and quality of life, but differences in access to trails may limit the benefits for Hispanic and low-income residents. Read more

  • Trails Are Good for All But Not Available to All

    Trails Are Good for All But Not Available to All

    Patricia Hernandez

    Trails are good for people, but the health and social benefits of trails are not equally available to everyone. Read more

  • Trails and the Elusive Quality of Life

    Trails and the Elusive Quality of Life

    Chris Mehl

    Many people talk about trails and quality of life, but how do we measure and obtain it? Read more

  • Measuring the Benefit of Trails to Communities

    Measuring the Benefit of Trails to Communities

    Chris Mehl

    Updated tools, research, and studies on the benefit of trails to communities and local citizens. Read more

  • Survey Finds Trails Valued Across Bonner County

    Survey Finds Trails Valued Across Bonner County

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Survey provides information on Bonner County’s trail system and will help prioritize improvements based on resident usage, satisfaction, reasons for living in the area. Read more

  • Trails and the Benefits to Your Community

    Trails and the Benefits to Your Community

    Megan Lawson, Ph.D.

    Headwaters Economics has updated its Trails Library to include 105 studies on trails, searchable by benefit, use, year, and region. Read more

1 2
Next Page»

Independent Nonpartisan Research

Contact

© 2025 Headwaters Economics, all rights reserved


  • Sitemap
  • Terms of Use
  • Research
    • Economic Development
    • Equity
    • Natural Hazards
    • Outdoor Recreation
    • Public Lands
    • Tax Policy
  • Community Assistance
  • Analysis Tools
  • About Us
  • Contact
    • LinkedIn
    • YouTube