How to use Trail Kiosks to Boost Economic Development

May 15, 2024

How to use Trail Kiosks to Boost Economic Development

What to Include on the Kiosks:

Let’s jazz up those trail kiosks and turn them into economic powerhouses!

Here’s the scoop on how to sprinkle some pizzazz and boost local business while keeping folks entertained:

Trail Trekker Tips – Information and Orientation: Picture this – you’re about to embark on a wild adventure! Our trusty kiosks are your go-to gurus for all things trail-related. From the length of the trail to the quirkiest spots to snap that perfect selfie, we’ve got you covered!
- Install trail kiosks at strategic points along the trail to provide visitors with information about the trail itself, including its length, difficulty level, points of interest, and any rules or regulations they need to be aware of. Include a map of the trail network to help visitors navigate easily.
Local Love Lane – Promotion of Local Businesses: Say hello to the ultimate hotspot for all things local! These kiosks aren’t just about the trail; they’re your ticket to discovering the hidden gems of the community. Hungry? Thirsty? Craving some handmade goodies? We’ll hook you up with the tastiest treats and coolest spots in town!
- Feature advertisements or information about local businesses, such as restaurants, cafes, shops, and attractions, on the kiosks. This encourages trail users to explore the surrounding area and patronize local establishments, thereby boosting economic activity.
Party Planners Extraordinaire – Events and Activities: Who’s up for some fun? Keep your eyes peeled on these kiosks for the lowdown on the hottest events and shindigs in the neighborhood. From outdoor concerts to artsy affairs, there’s always something poppin’ off nearby!
- Use the kiosks to promote upcoming events, festivals, and activities happening in the community. This could include outdoor concerts, farmers’ markets, art exhibitions, or guided tours. Encourage visitors to extend their stay in the area to participate in these events.
Trailblazer Tips & Tricks – Trail Etiquette and Safety Tips: Safety first, adventurers! Check out our handy dandy tips on how to navigate the trails like a pro. Plus, we’ll clue you in on how to show Mother Nature some love while you’re at it.
- Include tips on trail etiquette and safety measures to ensure that visitors have an enjoyable and safe experience. This could include reminders to stay on designated trails, respect wildlife, carry out any litter, and be mindful of other trail users.
Back in Time Boulevard – Historical and Cultural Information: Time to get schooled in local lore! Dive deep into the history and culture of the area with our fascinating tidbits and tales. You’ll be a bona fide expert in no time!
- Provide information about the history, culture, and heritage of the area surrounding the trail. This could include details about significant landmarks, historical sites, indigenous communities, or local traditions. Enhancing visitors’ understanding and appreciation of the area can encourage them to explore further and support local businesses.
Community Connection Central – Community Engagement: We’re all ears! Got ideas, suggestions, or just wanna shoot the breeze? Hit us up! These kiosks are your direct line to the heart of the community.
- Use the kiosks as a platform for community engagement by inviting feedback from trail users and locals. Include QR codes or website links where visitors can provide input or suggestions for improving the trail experience or supporting local businesses.
Interactive Adventure Zone – Interactive Features: Ready to take your trail experience to the next level? Dive into our interactive features for a whole new world of fun! Scan those QR codes, swipe those screens, and get ready to be amazed!
- Incorporate interactive elements into the kiosks, such as touch screens or QR codes that provide additional information or multimedia content. This can enhance the visitor experience and encourage further exploration of the area.
Sponsor Spectacular – Partnerships and Sponsorships: Let’s team up and make magic happen! Shoutout to our amazing partners and sponsors for helping keep the trail vibes alive. Together, we’re unstoppable!
- Forge partnerships with local businesses, community organizations, and government agencies to support the development and maintenance of trail kiosks. Seek sponsorships or funding opportunities to cover the costs of installation, maintenance, and content creation.

By implementing these strategies, trail kiosks can serve as valuable tools for promoting economic development, fostering community engagement, and enhancing the overall visitor experience along trails.

It should be noted that kiosks on Forest Service land have limitations restricting advertising for local businesses – this will require additional creativity in getting people to nearby business centers.

So grab your gear, lace up those boots, and get ready for the adventure of a lifetime! With our trail kiosks leading the way, the sky’s the limit!

Community Involvement with Creating or Updating Kiosks

(This section will be separated into a second article soon.)

This information is published to help others working on signage projects to have some good baseline information on trail kiosks and using them to build your local economy. I’ve been involved in more than few committees on rural economic development and tourism.

Your kiosks are often the first connection point to your local community for people using your local trails. In many communities, trailheads are not near your businesses. In our communities, some of our best trailheads don’t have visitors drive by our economic centers. Well designed kiosks can be very effective ways to build those connections.

Help provide pathways to your local retail centers, food, lodging, services and other top attractions that will encourage visitors to come visits again or stay longer.

Unless you own the land the trail starts on or is directly adjacent (meaning the kiosk is on private property), you’ll need to get permission from the property owner to create, maintain or change the kiosk/signage. Trailheads are usually on City, County, State, BLM or Forest Service land. City, County and States have a park and recreation department. BLM and Forest service land has a regional office that can help you talk to a representative that manages trial signage.

Our local offices have been receptive and helpful with kiosks to varying degrees. However, the goal of the recreation employee is usually limited to providing trail information – not information to help build your local community. This is where this article comes in handy and where you can help improve how trail signage can help build your local economy.

Some offices will work with you to build and maintain kiosks, others have varying degrees of flexibility. Be prepared that some offices will have No flexibility – the best advice here is to plant seeds and wait. Staff changes and rule changes may open new options in the future.

Working through your local Chamber and Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) is much better than trying to address this on your own.

When engaging, I encourage you to be respectful and focus on planting seeds. Many of these organizations are understaffed, so making changes adds to an already heavy workload. You are playing the long game. It takes time to get things changed, budget requests made, volunteers recruited and sometimes a new fiscal year before new projects can happen.

Respect, building trust and creating relationships are usually the best pathways for success.

Chris LaVoie MBA

Executive Director