Trails Use Still Up in Indiana
Increased Trail Use Across Indiana in 2020 Continues
The State of Indiana continues to see increased trail use in the first half of 2020. The Indiana Department of Natural Resources Division of Outdoor Recreation has documented this trend by analyzing data collected from 71 trail counters across Indiana through July 2020.
According to the DNR analysis, every month in 2020 is outpacing the monthly totals for trail users counted from the same period in 2019. Of particular interest are the months of March and May 2020, which saw 90% and 68% increases over the previous year respectively. Also noteworthy, June 2020 recorded more than 150,000 additional trail users, a 38% increase compared to June 2019. For the first half of 2020 (January – June), trail use increased by 52% over 2019.
The surge in trail use is thought to be attributed in part to Hoosiers continuing to seek a safe outlet for physical activity and mental respite during the COVID-19 pandemic. Indiana’s rise in trail use echo larger national and international trends of an increase in trail usage during the global pandemic.
Trail data sets were voluntarily provided by trail managers from 71 trail counters across the state and analyzed by the DNR. The data represents both paved and natural surface trails from 16 counties in Indiana as well as trails managed by local, state, and non-profit agencies. Trail users counted include bicyclists and pedestrians, such as walkers, runners, and hikers. The DNR relies on trail managers throughout the state of Indiana who serve as partners, capturing data and sharing it; data over the past few months has been included in this important analysis. The DNR plans to continue this study into the fall.
Not every trail across the state has a trail counter system, so this data is not a complete picture of trail use in Indiana; however, the DNR believes this data provides a useful representation of trail use trends statewide.
The Evansville Trails Coalition (ETC) has recently acquired two trail counters donated for the sole purpose of capturing trail use in South West Indiana—the ETC, “Trails Count Program” is set to kick off in early 2021.