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Outdoor Recreation as a Sustainable Export Industry: A Case Study of the Boundary Waters Wilderness
In the Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness (BWCAW), conservation management and high visitation leads to a substantial regional economic impact. Region visitors were estimated to have spent more than $56 million in the three counties surrounding the BWCAW counties in 2016. The total economic output was $78 million and 1,100 full- and part-time jobs.
Citation
Hjerpe, E.E. 2018. Outdoor recreation as a sustainable export industry: A case study of the Boundary Waters Wilderness. Ecological Economics 146(2018): 60-68.
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Recreation Equity: Is the Forest Service Serving Its Diverse Publics?
Across the U.S., racial and ethnic minorities visit national forests much less than white counterparts from neighboring counties. This disparity is the most pronounced in areas with the highest share of minorities living nearby, suggesting a significant need for creative outreach efforts.
Citation
Flores, D., Falco, G., Roberts, N.S., and Valenzuela III, F.P. 2018. Recreation Equity: Is the Forest Service Serving Its Diverse Publics? Journal of Forestry 116(3): 266-272.
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The Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation and the Whitefish Trail in Whitefish, Montana
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Region
Year
In Whitefish, Montana, outdoor recreation is the most important reason why residents stay and visitors come to the community. On the Whitefish Trail, 22,000 annual uses by visitors (30% of total use) generates $3.6 million in spending and supports 68 jobs.
Citation
Headwaters Economics. 2018. The Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation and the Whitefish Trail in Whitefish, Montana. Prepared for Whitefish Legacy Partners; Whitefish Convention and Visitors Bureau.
Bozeman, Montana: Headwaters Economics.
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The Economic Impact of Snowmobiling in Utah
In Utah, snowmobile use generates substantial economic activity that is concentrated in the population centers along the Wasatch Front and accrues largely to equipment, gasoline, and food retailers. Snowmobile registrations have been steady over the past two decades while the state’s population has grown, showing a decline in participation rates across the state.
Citation
Smith, J.W. and Chase C. Lamborn. 2018. The Economic Impact of Snowmobiling in Utah. Prepared for the Utah Snowmobile Association. Logan, UT: Institute of Outdoor Recreation and Tourism, Utah State University.
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Trail Usage and Value: A Helena, MT Case Study
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Region
Year
In Helena, Montana, an 80-mile hiking and mountain biking trail system attracts more than 63,000 trail users during the summer. Seven in 10 users are residents, but visitors who use the trail system account for $4 million in spending, support 60 jobs, and generate $185,000 in state and local taxes.
Citation
Sage, J.L. and Nickerson, N.P. 2018. Trail Usage and Value-A Helena, MT Case Study. Missoula, MT: Institute for Tourism and Recreation Research, College of Forestry and Conservation, University of Montana.
Library of Trails Benefits
This Trails Benefits Library is a collection of studies on the positive impacts of trails on businesses, public health, and quality of life. Use this form to search by type of benefit, use, year, and region.