New York’s Empire State Trail has become far more than a recreational asset, generating nearly $1.9 billion in annual economic activity while supporting thousands of jobs and driving tourism in communities across the state, according to a newly released economic impact study.
The report, released Tuesday by Parks & Trails New York, found the 750-mile trail network attracts an estimated 9.75 million visits each year and generates approximately $1.87 billion in annual economic output. Researchers say the trail supports 9,680 jobs statewide, creates more than $640 million in employee earnings and produces roughly $206 million in state and local tax revenue.
The Empire State Trail stretches from New York City to Canada and from Albany to Buffalo, connecting 26 counties and hundreds of communities through a network of off-road paths and on-road routes. Completed in 2020, the trail is the longest multi-use trail system contained within a single state.
According to the study, every dollar invested in the trail generates $5.43 in sales revenue. Researchers found that off-road trail segments produce significantly greater economic returns than on-road sections, with each off-road mile generating an estimated $3.9 million in annual economic activity.
For communities along the Erie Canalway Trail, which spans 360 miles between Buffalo and Albany, the economic effects are particularly significant. The report estimates the Erie Canalway Trail attracts 3.7 million annual visits and contributes roughly $687.4 million in economic activity each year. That activity supports 3,555 jobs, generates more than $235 million in wages and produces nearly $75.4 million in state and local tax revenue.
Researchers also found the trail serves as an economic development tool for many communities that have struggled to attract investment through traditional means. Approximately two-thirds of the Empire State Trail passes through areas identified by Empire State Development as moderately or severely distressed, including communities facing higher levels of poverty, unemployment or stagnant incomes.
Business owners surveyed for the report said trail users have become a meaningful part of their customer base. Nearly one-quarter reported the trail influenced where they chose to locate their business, while more than 40% said they have invested in bicycle amenities, trail access improvements or accommodations aimed at attracting visitors. Businesses reported that trail-related visitors account for more than one-quarter of annual sales on average.
The study also identified impacts on residential property values. Single-family homes located near the trail on smaller lots were found to command a premium averaging about $51,000, while homes on larger parcels also showed measurable increases in value compared to similar properties farther from the trail.
Tourism spending remains one of the trail’s largest economic drivers. Visitors spend an average of $30.32 per day on food, lodging, shopping, entertainment and recreation-related expenses. While most visits are day trips, overnight visitors contribute substantially more, spending an average of $540 per trip.
Researchers highlighted benefits extending beyond economic activity. The report estimates the trail generates approximately $78 million in annual health-related savings by encouraging physical activity. Survey data showed 70% of trail users spend more than an hour exercising during each visit, while more than half use the trail at least twice a week.
Environmental benefits were also cited. The trail network preserves more than 23,000 acres of land that remove an estimated 78,000 metric tons of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere annually while storing millions of additional metric tons of carbon. Researchers also estimated the trail helps eliminate more than 96 million vehicle miles traveled each year by providing alternatives for transportation and recreation.
The study was conducted using surveys of more than 1,000 trail users, in-person interviews and business outreach efforts completed between September and December 2025. Researchers analyzed impacts at the statewide, regional and county levels, making it the most comprehensive economic assessment completed to date for the Empire State Trail system.
Supporters of the trail say the findings reinforce the value of continued investment in outdoor recreation infrastructure, particularly as communities seek new ways to support tourism, improve public health and strengthen local economies.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to news@fingerlakes1.com.
