For the first time, a collective study has been conducted to understand the structure, challenges, and impacts of Trail Town & Gateway Community programs across the U.S. and Canada. This survey gathered insights from 19 programs that serve hundreds of communities and thousands of trail miles.
In his book, On Trails, Robert Moor writes that “every step a hiker takes is a vote for the continued existence of a trail.”
By using and advocating for trails we are also “voting” for the communities along the route. Locals use trails to get from here to there, for exercise, and for leisure. Out of town trail users venture into adjacent communities to discover new places, to rest, and for goods and services. This interface between “trail and town” has existed for centuries (at least).
But it’s only been twenty years or so that formal organized Trail Town and Gateway Community initiatives have been operating with the purpose of positioning communities to draw more benefits from trails. “Having a Trail Town program creates a sense of design and purpose in terms of connecting with trails,” says Kimm Wright of the Pinhoti Experience Foundation. Design and purpose. I love that.
In the long view, twenty years isn’t all that long of a period. We’re still working to understand the efficacy of the design. Not to mention that each program is designed a bit differently.
That’s why a few years ago, I started wondering about the overall effectiveness of Trail Community initiatives. I partnered with Julie Judkins of Just-Trails, the best imaginable collaborator for this effort. In January 2023, we reached out to the managers of 21 known programs and asked them to complete a survey. Remarkably, 19 of them did!
This project has been a touchstone of sorts for Julie and me. Without any funding for this research, we found time whenever we could and kept coming back to the survey results, analysis, and several iterations of this report. It took some time, but we think the end result is well worth it and a useful contribution to the trails community.
Others who helped make this report a possibility are:
- Dr. Rob Alexander of James Madison University, who contributed to the data analysis, and his Fall 2023 Public Management for Sustainable Communities class
- The program managers – who are now gathering as a community of practice – who reviewed the report, and are recognized within
- Lindsay Majer and Alicia Broudy, who provided edits along the way
Here’s what we learned:
- These programs span 33 U.S. states and one Canadian province, supporting 183 trail communities along 9 out of 11 National Scenic Trails.
- 68% of participating communities have populations under 10,000, highlighting the role of trails in small-town economic and community development.
- Programs have driven millions of dollars in investments, leading to new signage, docks, riverwalks, improved sidewalks, and trail-friendly business networks.
- Most managers say that their organization plans to run their program indefinitely, and all of them reported improved economic health among communities that have been involved in their programs for at least two years.
- Challenges identified: Clear success and evaluation metrics, funding and capacity, and improve information on accessibility and more effectively communicate sustainability goals.
Recommendations for the future:
- Invest in Trail Community programs.
- Conduct cross-program evaluations.
- Establish a research & resource hub.
- Create a formal Community of Practice & Trail Town Institute.
- Emphasize trails’ social, ecological, and economic value beyond tourism.
These recommendations are expanded upon within the report.
This study underscores that trails are more than economic engines—they are community lifelines that connect people, protect natural spaces, and enhance local economies. The findings offer a roadmap for strengthening these programs and ensuring their long-term success.
If you’re managing or are interested in Trail Town initiatives, join the conversation and be part of shaping the future! Join the All About Trail Towns Facebook group:
I recently wrote a post focused on questions people ask me about Trail Towns. This is useful for anyone who’s looking to learn more about the Trail Town model:
