Could your community turn its love for adventure into a sustainable driver of economic growth? Discover how ATV trails can fuel local economies with real-world success stories and seven key development tips.
Sustainable ATV trail development is a process that balances recreational access, economic growth, and environmental protection. ATV trails allow riders to enjoy nature, explore new places, and have fun with friends and family. They also create opportunities for tourism, jobs, and local businesses. However, they must be designed and constructed carefully to avoid ecological damage and ensure lasting value.
The foundation of any trail is the land it traverses. Conducting thorough evaluations of the terrain, soil, and vegetation sets the stage for a trail that's both sustainable and exciting.
When designing ATV trails, it is essential to prioritize eco-conscious features. This is typically done early in the planning and design process through an environmental review. These systematic processes carefully consider vital natural resources and habitats to ensure the trails comply with local, state, and federal environmental protection policies, minimizing the impact on the natural environment. The award-winning Beaver River Trail and Bridge project highlighted this commitment to environmental protection, focusing on converting existing snowmobile paths for summer ATV use. While conducting environmental reviews and wetland delineations, our team identifies potential reroutes to ensure minimal ecological disturbance, showcasing how thoughtful planning and environmental care can be integrated into constructing ATV trails. On the Taconite Trail, a review by SEH natural resources scientists identified route adjustments to avoid damage to wetlands and a rare plant species (floating marsh marigold).
Depending on the length of the proposed trail and sensitive resources present, some projects may require formal state or federal environmental review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) or state equivalents. These reviews identify potential environmental impacts on a range of resources, including wildlife, streams, floodplains, and noise, among others. The environmental review includes public notice and comments, which allows the public and agency stakeholders to learn about the project and raise issues early in the process.
Just as a trail winds through the land, it must also navigate the legal landscape. Compliance with regulations helps protect natural resources, prevent erosion and pollution, and avoid legal disputes or fines. Before construction, be sure to research and review the ATV trail regulations for your state or county, such as permits, environmental assessments, design standards, and maintenance requirements. If you need assistance with this process or aren’t sure where to begin, working with a consultant can help you understand and apply the relevant rules, as well as identify and mitigate any potential issues or risks.
ATV trail development can be a costly venture; therefore, securing funding is a crucial step in turning these dirt-path dreams into reality. Often, these projects can acquire funding from various sources, such as state or federal resources, public grants, and private investments.
State Grants: State agencies often offer grants tailored for trail development. These grants can be a lifeline for your ATV trail, providing funds for creation and upkeep. Check with your state’s Department of Natural Resources or other regulatory state agencies to explore available options. Many times, these grants are fueled by ATV registration fees and gas taxes.
Federal Funding: The Federal Recreational Trails Program (RTP) provides funds for trail entities to develop and maintain recreational trails for both motorized and non-motorized recreation.
Corporate Grants: Local government entities and ATV Clubs can apply for trail grant programs such as those offered by ATV Manufacturers such as Polaris and Yamaha.
Local Financing: From bonds to general funds, local governments have various tools to support trail initiatives, often serving as a match to leverage substantial federal or state grants.
Private Partnerships: Teaming up with ATV clubs, non-profits, or even law enforcement can open doors to private funding that is eligible for various grants and can be powerful allies in your quest for quality trails.
The Minnesota Environment and Natural Resources Trust Fund has provided funding for the Moose Trail and Seven Beavers Bridge. In the first year, $900,000 from the trust fund is allocated to the commissioner of natural resources, who will collaborate with the City of Hoyt Lakes and the Ranger Snowmobile and ATV Club. This partnership aims to design and construct improvements and extensions to the trails, enhancing recreational access and connecting these trails to regional networks.
The initial construction of the Prospector ATV Trail System exemplifies a well-developed trail system, currently spanning over 250 miles. This network includes corridor routes and trails that make use of county roads, forest service roads, logging roads, and local snowmobile trails. The project was made possible through multiple state and federal grant sources, including Minnesota ATV Dedicated Account Funds, Iron Range Resources and Rehabilitation Board (IRRRB) Trail Funds, Federal RTP Grant, and Minnesota Bonding Bill Funds.
Community engagement is not just a desirable aspect but an essential one in developing ATV trails. It ensures that the paths are reflections of the needs and expectations of residents. By involving local clubs and stakeholders in the planning and development phases, these projects can foster a sense of ownership and pride among the community, making them an integral part of the journey.
Trails requiring NEPA or state-level environmental review will have a formal public involvement process, including a comment period and public hearing or open house. Thoughtful preparation and clear project maps can help make these events more productive by providing a solid project understanding. Being ready to discuss potential conflicts and tradeoffs will build credibility with the public and agency reviewers.
To ensure the safety of ATV trails, clear signage, emergency access, and regular maintenance are essential. By prioritizing the placement of ATV signage throughout multi-use areas, these trails encourage respectful and safe riding. Additionally, enhancing communications with ATV riders through detailed maps and navigation information further benefits users, providing them with the necessary tools to navigate trails safely and effectively.
ATV trails can significantly boost local economies by attracting tourists and creating new job opportunities, driving revenue from lodging, food and beverages, transportation and fuel, admission fees, repairs and maintenance, clothing, souvenirs from local gift shops, and more.
An economic impact study for a three-county region in Northeastern Minnesota, conducted by the University of Minnesota, estimated the total economic contribution of the ATV trail systems at $36 million annually, with significant direct, indirect, and induced impacts on labor income and employment. This data is crucial for advocating for more state-level funding to expand and maintain the trail systems.
ATV trails are not only a source of economic benefits, but also a way to enjoy the outdoors and have fun with friends and family. These trails can provide access to remote areas that are otherwise difficult to reach by other means of transportation, enhancing the quality of life and well-being of local communities and visitors by offering opportunities for recreation, exercise, socialization, and education.
Step 1: Trail Planning is typically the first step for trail development. Review of potential trail corridors for potential trail development on local, state, and federal public lands. The trail routes evaluated should consider the various social, environmental, and financial factors that are important to long-term sustainability of a trail system.
Step 2: Evaluate the site conditions, including the existence of any existing logging roads or trails, terrain, soil, vegetation, drainage, and climate. This assessment helps identify critical wildlife habitats, wetlands, fragile native plant communities, and other environmental factors that may limit the feasibility of new ATV development. Utilize methods such as field surveys, soil tests, mapping software, and environmental impact assessments.
Step 3: Establish the project goals, such as the target users, difficulty level, trail length and width, and the budget and timeline. This helps to define the scope, requirements, and expectations of the project. The budget should also specify the sources of funding for the project, such as grants, donations, sponsorships, or user fees.
Step 4: Once the preliminary design is developed, share features of the trail with the stakeholders and potential users. This helps to visualize the concept, design, and functionality of the trail while soliciting feedback and suggestions for improvement.
Step 5: Conduct an environmental review to evaluate the potential impacts of the ATV trail on natural and cultural resources and obtain the necessary permits and land approvals from the relevant authorities.
Step 6: The final design is prepared, refining the details, specifications, and drawings of the trail. This process involves selecting the appropriate trail type, width, surface, alignment, grade, drainage, signage, and amenities for the trail.
Step 7: Construction is implemented, which involves clearing, grading, compacting, surfacing, and marking the trail, as well as installing signs, barriers, and amenities when needed.
Step 8: Inspection and maintenance are performed throughout the life of the trail. This includes checking the safety, functionality, and durability of the trail, and making repairs and improvements as needed.
Sustainable ATV trail development is a process that can benefit communities in multiple ways. By integrating ecological considerations, recreational functionality, and economic benefits, communities can enjoy the best of both worlds: enhanced recreational access and a commitment to preserving the natural beauty of their landscapes.
Jason Chopp, PE*, is a civil engineer with 22 years of industry experience. He has managed projects in multiple states around the Midwest and has served as the project manager for various types of infrastructure improvement projects, including the planning, design, permitting, and construction of several hundred miles of ATV trails and bridges across northern Minnesota over the past 8 years.
*Registered Professional Engineer in IN, MN, and OH
Natalie White, PWS, is a biologist with expertise as a professional wetland scientist and a rare plant expert. Her experience includes project management, managing schedules, budgets, and quality control for natural resources projects, and leading environmental review for trail, development, and habitat restoration projects.