American Trails Resource Library
All kinds of resources from articles to guides to webinars that provide information and guidance for all things trails.
Organization
American Trails
Location
National or Global
Topic
Economic Impact
Health
IDEA
Infrastructure
Participation
Rural Communities
Sustainability
Workforce
Activity
Bicycling
Birding/Wildlife viewing
Camping
Climbing
Equestrian
Fishing
Hiking/Running
Hunting
Motorized sports (boat, snowmobile, ATV, etc.)
Paddling
Winter sports (downhill, Nordic, tube, snowshoe, snowmobile)
Related Resources
2013 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Creating Equitable, Healthy, and Sustainable Communities
This resource provides a menu of land use and community design strategies that bring together smart growth, environmental justice, and equitable development principles and that community-based organizations, local and regional decision-makers, developers, and others can use to revitalize their communities.
2023 U.S. Department of Transportation
Role of Trails in Climate Resilience & Emergency Response
A literature review and interviews with national trail organizations, this white paper explores existing research, highlights project examples, and identifies research gaps for trails in connection to climate resilience, emergency response, and public health emergencies.
2024 Wisconsin Office of Outdoor Recreation
Do-It-Yourself Economic Impact Guide
A Do-It-Yourself Guide: Conducting and Using Visitor and Recreational User Research is a free, do-it-yourself resource to assist anyone (no economics degree required) through the economic impact process without hiring a consultant. The step-by-step guide is designed for small-to-mid-sized organizations, agencies and partnerships that manage trails, recreation areas or outdoor destinations.
Explore the Trends Shaping Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor Industry Association: 2025 Outdoor Participation Trends Report
Bureau of Economic Analysis: 2024 Economic Statistics for Wisconsin
Adventure Travel Trade Association: Travel Market Sizing and the New Adventure Traveler
KOA: 2025 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report
American Sportfishing Association: Economic Contributions of Recreational Fishing
Measure What Matters