Trail Building Resources for Community Leaders
The xTexas Trail is more than a line on a map—it’s a living expression of the soul of this state. From rugged canyons to piney woods, from horse towns to small-town cafés, the xTx is built by Texans, for Texans.
Texans already know outdoor recreation = big money. Let’s take a look at just how big:
The Bureau of Economic Analysis research found that outdoor recreation accounted for $55.8 billion of spending in Texas in 2023. The main drivers were boating, fishing, hunting, and RVing.
In 2023, Texas’s national parks received 5.3 million visitors. These visitors spent an estimated $323 million in “gateway communities.”
If your town or county is thinking about improving the trail segment near you—whether that’s rerouting off pavement, adding horse access, or creating a safer entry into town—we want you to know: there are excellent resources ready to help.
Keep scrolling to learn more!
Economic Development Resources
Trail Map for Rural Development in America Whitepaper by Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
Rural Economic Development Toolkit by Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
Rural Development Toolkit Mapping Project by Outdoor Recreation Roundtable
2025 Outdoor Participation Trends Report by Outdoor Industry Association
Texas Outdoor Recreation Plan 2025-2030 by Texas Parks and Wildlife
Projecting the Economic Impact of Future Trails: DIY Forecasting Tools for Communities by The Harbinger Consultancy
The Amenity Trap: How high-amenity communities can avoid being loved to death by Headwaters Economics
Trail Building Resources
Trail Maintenance and Construction Notebook by USDA Forest Service (2025)
Trail Competencies Skills Library by Trail Skills Project
Resources by Trail Type by Trail Skills Project
Trail Builder Magazine - dedicated to mountain bike trails and those who build, maintain, and advocate for them.
Grants for Trail Planning, Building, and Maintenance
Recreational Trails Grants by Texas Parks and Wildlife
Trails Capacity Program by American Trails
Adventure Forever Grants by onX USA
Recreation Economy for Rural Communities by US Environmental Protection Agency
“We joke that the real core to rural economic development are the three B's, which are ‘broadband’, ‘blues’, and ‘beer.’ And if you have those, the rest of it kind of falls together. You could probably add ‘boats’ and ‘backpacks’ and all of the types of outdoor things that allow for quality of life to be strong.”
-Matt Dunne, President and CEO, Center for Rural Innovation
