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Kingdom Trails: Mountain‑bike tourism fuels Northeast Kingdom economy, but Canadian declines threaten revenue
Summary
Kingdom Trails leaders told lawmakers the trail network attracts out‑of‑state and Canadian visitors, generates millions in spending and supports jobs — and that recent declines in Canadian trail users threaten membership revenue needed to steward trails on private land.
Kingdom Trails representatives told the joint House and Senate committee that their nonprofit trail network in the Northeast Kingdom generates significant visitor spending, supports jobs and helps recruit workforce — and that recent reductions in Canadian visitors put membership and stewardship revenues at risk.
“For Kingdom Trails, we welcome over 100,000 visits annually,” Abby Long, executive director of the Kingdom Trail Association, said. “These visits generate an estimated $10,000,000 in direct spending and support over 200 direct jobs.” Long also said the network helps recruit health‑care professionals and other workers who cite the trails when choosing where to live.
Long said 75% of trail users are from out of state and that roughly 30% of users historically came from Canada, a figure that fell to 38% pre‑pandemic. In the past two months she said Canadian riders have told the organization they will defer visits until political tensions ease. Kingdom Trails has written an open letter to Canadian users stressing they remain welcome and asked the state to amplify that message.
Long emphasized that the trail system operates largely on private land donated by about 106 landowners and that membership revenue funds trail stewardship, insurance and access; a decline in memberships would force cuts to maintenance or programming. The organization also highlighted its adaptive‑friendly trail miles and youth programs supported by state grants.
No committee action was taken; Long asked lawmakers to recognize outdoor recreation’s role in regional economic development and to support outreach that reassures Canadian visitors.
