THE
Great Trails State Coalition
NORTH CAROLINA
We are nonprofit organizations, local governments, and industry partners working together to advocate for increased state investment in all types of trails in North Carolina – hiking, biking, paddle and equestrian – paved and natural surface trails.
The Great Trails State Coalition works towards a future where programs, policies, funding and leadership are in place that ensure:
- If you live or visit North Carolina, you are never very far from a great trail experience.
- There is adequate, predictable funding for all trail types across the state.
- North Carolina leverages every federal dollar available to plan, build and maintain trails.
Every third Saturday in October is officially designated
Great Trails State Day!
The bill recently passed unanimously in both the NC House and Senate. It became law with the Governor’s signature.
Apply for Funding
Great Trails
State Program
The Great Trails State Program grant cycle closed in November of 2024.
89 applications were submitted. Awards are expected spring 2025.
Saxapahaw Island Trail | North Carolina
We are proud of our wide range of members – non-profit partners, business partners, government partners, and advisors – all standing behind a platform for trails in North Carolina. The Coalition has 110 total members.
See who is on board.
Why Support Trails
Trails provide opportunities for people to connect with nature and move their bodies. Studies show that as little as 30 minutes spent outside creates positive health outcomes, including improvements in mental health. Trails are free to use and there is a trail for everyone, regardless of age, ability or background.
Outdoor recreation in North Carolina is a $14.6 billion dollar industry and continues to grow. New trails can help build both physical and economic connections and allow us to capitalize on NC’s natural beauty, warm people, and rich history.
NCDOT’s Great Trails State Plan, published in 2021, is a plan to connect all 100 NC counties by trails. State funding will provide matching dollars for significant federal funds and accelerate investment-ready projects to completion, benefiting citizens and the outdoor recreation economy.
Off-road trail networks help people safely get to their destinations. Each year more than 3,000 pedestrians and 850 bicyclists are hit by vehicles in North Carolina, making NC one of the most dangerous states in the US for walking and bicycling.
NC’s Outdoor Recreation Economy is Valued at $16.2 billion.
up 9.6% from 2022!
New data from the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) shows the growing economic impact of outdoor recreation in our state:
In 2023, outdoor recreation generated a staggering $16.2 billion, in value added, making up 2.1 percent of North Carolina’s GDP and supporting 145,433 jobs—a 9.6 percent increase from 2022!
This is incredible momentum to see after 2023's Year of the Trail campaign! On a national level, outdoor recreation contributed $1.2 trillion to the economy (2.3% of GDP), supporting 5 million jobs—more than farming, oil and gas extraction, mining, and utilities.
Since 2012, the national outdoor recreation economy has grown 36% in real terms, showing just how vital it is to communities across the U.S. Outdoor recreation fuels North Carolina’s economy, drives small businesses, supports jobs, and enhances our quality of life by creating opportunities to connect with nature for physical and mental health.
Trails have a significant return on investment:
Every $1.00 spent on trail construction generates $1.72 ANNUALLY from local business revenue, sales tax revenue, & benefits related to health and transportation.
An NC DOT study of a one-time $26.7 million investment in four NC shared-use paths created the following economic impacts:
$19.4 million
Estimated ANNUAL sales revenue at local businesses along the four greenways
$25.7 million
Estimated ANNUAL savings due to more physical activity, less pollution and congestions, and fewer traffic injuries from greenway use
$48.7 million
Estimated business revenue from greenway construction
790
Jobs are supported ANNUALLY through greenway construction
Trails are Investment Ready
The Great Trails State Coalition collected information from communities about natural and paved trail projects that are ready for construction and design.
There are 263 projects in 52 counties, representing an estimated $511 million of construction costs. NC DOT’s Great Trails State Plan identifies future projects in all 100 counties. Check them out below.