Northcentral ATV Trail Connector Study Completed

The state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources completed a study of the Northcentral Region All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) Trail (NRAT) Connector in the Pennsylvania Wilds. The trail generated an estimated revenue of $10.4 million in 2022 and $13.1 million in 2023 for the Potter and Tioga County economies, according to a Penn State analysis. These revenues to area businesses were attributed to nonlocal ATV passholders providing economic benefit to area businesses. 

Local businesses reported that 28% of their revenue was from ATV riders spending about $124 per visit. Businesses reported about 35% of their summer customer base was a result of the pilot. Passholders reported making about nine trips to the region with an average of three nights each trip. Seventy-five percent of pass holders shared that they visited the area because of the pilot, and 19% reported that the ATV trail system brought them to Potter or Tioga counties to recreate for the first time. 

The pilot program cost the commonwealth $2.4 million to create, maintain, and administer for its first three years. The commonwealth generated only about $430,000 in revenue from the 10,799 passes sold during the first three years of the pilot program. To view the press release and the report, click here.