Research
2023 Trail Visitor Survey: Giants Ridge
2023 Trail Visitor Survey: Giants Ridge Published April 2024 Some Key Findings Demographics Men 74% Women 26% Average age ≈ 35 Income over $100k 58% Gen Z 31% Millennials 33% Gen X 27% Baby Boomers 9% Trail Experience Mountain Biking 90% Hiking 8% Preferred trail ...
Read More
Our Research bike is in motion again
Pedaling all Minnesota’s paved state trails It’s been over five years since Parks & Trails Council of Minnesota completed our ambitious Research Bike project. Since then, pavement conditions have changed, and additional miles have been added, so it’s time to re-ride the trails to document …
Our latest research initiative reveals user profiles at 3 mountain bike trail systems
Last summer, Parks & Trails Council worked with Greater Minnesota Parks and Trails Commission (GMRPTC) to conduct visitor surveys, and user counts at three mountain bike areas across the state: Lake County Split Rock Wilds, Winona Bluffs Traverse, and Tioga Recreation Area. The reports detailing the results of this research were published in November 2022.
Read More
Minnesota State Parks are open for day-use only. How does that compare to other states?
On Thursday, the DNR extended state park campground closures through May 18 to be consistent with Gov. Walz’s stay-at-home order. Most state park systems across the country have similar policies in place.
Read More
Trail use has surged in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted nearly every aspect of normal life. Over 300 million Americans, representing 95 percent of the population, are under stay-at-home orders. All across the country, in an effort to slow the spread of this deadly disease, public officials have closed everything from museums to libraries to concert halls to restaurants and bars.
Read More
