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trails

Measuring trail use in Montana’s Bridger mountains

December 2021

The Bridger Mountains with an agricultural field in the foreground, in Gallatin County, Montana.

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

Innovative New Ways to Count Outdoor Recreation

March 2021

Hikers pass a trail marker on the Skyline Trail.

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

Community benefits of the Merced River Trail

July 2020

Trailhead sign of the Merced River Trail

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

Funding Needs for Montana’s Outdoor Heritage

July 2019

Funding for Montana’s working lands, wildlife, and outdoor recreation is not keeping pace as population, visitation, and development pressures expand.

Newsletter: April 2019

April 2019

Our latest newsletter contains research on Bandelier National Monument, the benefits of trails, timber statistics, and GDP by county. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Trails Research and Searchable Benefits Library

April 2019

Panoramic image of the Triple Tree Trail in Bozeman, MT

Updated: Headwaters Economics compiled 144 trails research studies on the impacts of trails in a single library, searchable by type of benefit, use, year, and region.

Newsletter: December 2018

December 2018

Our latest research, Newsletter: December 2018, contains research on building wildfire-resistant homes, a trails toolkit, helping communities reduce wildfire risk through land use planning, and Montana’s outdoor recreation economy. Subscribe to our newsletter.

Trails Toolkit: Helping Communities Invest Wisely

December 2018

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.

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