In the foothills of the Rockies, a small town once known for its sawmills is humming again, not from chainsaws but from trail crews, mountain bikers, and visiting families grabbing coffee before heading out to ride. Further away, former coal towns in West Virginia are experiencing a similar revival, their new “black gold” being the dirt under mountain bike tires.

Across the U.S., trails are emerging as one of the most reliable economic development tools for small, rural communities. They bring visitors, create jobs, and support local businesses in ways that reach far beyond tourism. When built and managed well, trails become infrastructure that fuels entrepreneurship, attracts new residents, and diversifies economies once dependent on extraction industries.

On a cool fall morning in southern Oregon, the parking lot at the base of Dollar Mountain was alive with that distinct energy that only comes when a long-awaited project finally opens to the public. Trucks and vans loaded with bikes lined the parking lot and road. Riders clipped on helmets, swapped greetings and stories, and set off to ride and explore.

You could feel it before the first tire even hit dirt. This wasn’t just another ribbon-cutting grand opening. Instead, it was the start of something bigger.