- River Management Society's, An Economic Argument for Water Trails, 2015, highlights studies on various water trails and the economic impact they have had on local economies. All studies looked at visitor spending for outfitters, lodging, restaurants and grocery shopping, retailing and servicing, activities, and transportation.
- Studies show that paddlers spend $103-126 per day trip, and $255-268 for overnight trips.
- Closer to home, see the Huron River Water Trail's Economic Impacts Report, 2016. The report's key findings show that the 5-county region contributes $53.5 Million in economic output, of which $29.9 Million is direct spending; and the Huron River provides an economic value of $150 Million annually in ecosystem services.
Additional Resources and Studies on Economic Benefits of Outdoor Recreation
compiled by Barbara Nelson-Jameson, National Park Service - Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program, May 4, 2017
- Impacts of Trails
- Headwaters Economics - A compilation of 120 studies on the impact of trails in a single library, searchable by type of benefit, use, year, and region
- American Trails, Economic Impacts of Trails, 2011
- Michigan Department of Transportation, Community and Economic Benefits of Bicycling in Michigan, 2014
- TART Trails, Economic Impact Study of the Vasa Pathway, 2013
- Outdoor Recreation Impacts
- 2017 Outdoor Industry Association, Report on the Outdoor Recreation Economy
- The Outdoor Foundation, 2016 Outdoor Recreation Participation Report
- The Outdoor Industry Association, 2015 Paddlesports Report
- U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, 2011 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, reports that almost 37.4 million Americans participated in fishing, hunting or both sports in 2011. These individuals spent an average of $2,407 each in 2011.
- Economic Benefits of Parks
- National Recreation and Parks Association, The Economic Impact of Local Parks, 2013
- Economic Impacts of Conservation
- The Trust for Public Land, Conservation Economics, shows conservation returns from $4 to $10 for every dollar invested.