Recreation—defined broadly as any activity done while not working—is a vital part of a balanced life, providing physical, mental, and emotional benefits. Southern working forests offer a vast range of recreational activities for people seeking respite from the stresses of urban life. Outdoor enthusiasts in the U.S. South spend over $320 billion annually on recreation, supporting over 2.7 million jobs. As urbanization increases, overcrowded cities make it harder for people to escape the hustle and bustle. Southern forests provide a crucial space for people to live, work, and play, while also generating new revenue streams for private landowners through recreational access.
Keeping Forests recognizes the importance of recreation as a core Forest Value. Southern working forests offer not just forest products and ecosystem services, but also vital spaces for outdoor activities that benefit communities and economies alike. Our market-driven strategies support private landowners by promoting and expanding economic opportunities that allow them to keep their forests as forests.
Recreation is one of those opportunities that can help private landowners unlock new revenue streams. Although Keeping Forests doesn’t specifically focus on the development of recreational markets, we believe that our efforts will help landowners maintain and expand access for hiking, hunting, wildlife observation and much more. By enhancing the sustainable management of southern forests and promoting their economic viability, private landowners will be able to consider new revenue streams from these recreational activities.
Here are some ways and places to enjoy your next adventure in Southern Forests:
Hiking
Hiking, one of the most popular outdoor activities, draws millions of Americans annually. Southern working forests offer thousands of miles of trails, allowing outdoor enthusiasts to experience the region’s natural beauty. As you hike through these landscapes, you can enjoy the incredible diversity of flora and fauna that thrive due to careful forest stewardship.
Where to go for hiking:
Cheaha State Park in Alabama offers stunning hiking and recreational opportunities, with trails like the Pinhoti Trail crossing into the surrounding Talladega National Forest. Private forest landowners collaborate with the park, providing additional access to trails and natural areas for a fee, ensuring sustainable land use. These partnerships help maintain forested land and offer recreational experiences while supporting the economic viability of private landowners.
Hunting
Hunting is not only a cherished tradition across the U.S. South but also a major economic driver, generating more than $24 million daily for the U.S. economy. The South is a top destination for hunters worldwide, with many of them accessing private land through hunting leases.
Where to go for hunting:
Base Camp Leasing, offers hunting leases across multiple states, including Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Base Camp Leasing partners with private landowners to provide exclusive access to hunting land, supporting both land conservation and sustainable wildlife management.
ATVs & Off-Roading
For thrill-seekers, southern working forests provide an ideal playground for ATV riding and off-roading. With numerous trails cutting through rugged landscapes, off-roading enthusiasts can experience the adrenaline rush of navigating through the wilderness. Whether you’re cruising in a 4×4 or tearing up trails on your ATV, many private landowners offer day passes or annual memberships for recreational driving.
Where to go for ATVs & off-roading
Spearhead Trails in Virginia offers an extensive network of ATV, UTV, and off-road trails that traverse the beautiful Appalachian Mountains. Spearhead Trails provides access to a mix of public land, privately owned land, and land managed by industrial landowners. Riders can access hundreds of miles of rugged terrain, ensuring sustainable land use while boosting the local economy. By working with these landowners, Spearhead Trails offers a unique and thrilling ATV experience while supporting conservation and the stewardship of private forestlands.
Camping & RVing
Camping and RVing are time-honored ways to connect with nature, and southern working forests are the perfect setting for an overnight stay. From tent camping under the stars to parking your RV near a scenic overlook, there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy the outdoors.
Where to go for camping & RVing
Hipcamp is like the Airbnb of camping, connecting outdoor enthusiasts with unique, privately owned lands for camping, RVing, and outdoor recreation. There are opportunities to visit private forest lands across the U.S. South, where landowners open up their managed forests to campers, offering secluded experiences not available in public parks. Just as Airbnb helps homeowners generate income, Hipcamp provides forest landowners with an additional revenue stream while promoting sustainable forest management, allowing visitors to enjoy the beauty of private, well-maintained woodlands.
Birdwatching & Wildlife Observation
For those who prefer quieter, contemplative activities, southern working forests are home to a diverse range of bird and wildlife species. Birdwatching and wildlife observation are growing in popularity as people seek out peaceful and educational ways to connect with nature.
Where to go for birdwatching & wildlife:
The Georgia Audubon Forests Initiative is a partnership between Georgia Audubon and private landowners aimed at enhancing bird habitats across private forested lands in Georgia. This partnership works to restore, manage, and preserve critical bird habitats on private lands, focusing on creating healthy ecosystems that benefit both birds and other wildlife. Private landowners in Georgia who participate in the initiative are given tools, resources, and incentives to manage their forests in ways that improve biodiversity, particularly for bird species.
Cycling
Cycling, particularly mountain biking, is a booming industry in the Southeast, contributing significantly to the local economy by supporting bike shops, trail maintenance, and tourism. Cyclists spend millions of dollars annually on gear, travel, and events, and cycling tourism alone brings in hundreds of millions in revenue. The Southeast’s diverse landscapes, from coastal paths to mountainous trails, provide countless opportunities for both road cycling and off-road adventures.
Where to go for cycling:
A premier destination for mountain biking in the region is the Coler Mountain Bike Preserve in Arkansas, located on privately owned land managed by the Walton Family Foundation. With over 17 miles of well-designed trails, Coler offers everything from beginner-friendly routes to challenging downhill tracks, making it a must-visit spot for cyclists of all levels. For non-cyclists, there are plenty of hiking and camping opportunities too.
Fishing
Southern working forests are often home to rivers, lakes, and ponds teeming with fish, offering ample opportunities for recreational fishing. Whether you’re casting from the shore, a boat, or a dock, these water bodies are perfect for anglers of all levels.
Where to go for fishing:
Most opportunities for fishing on private lands are publicized at a smaller, more locally operated scale. Conservation groups with local chapters, like Trout Unlimited, or local land trusts are key resources for finding opportunities that support private landowners, healthy waterways, and partnerships that support economically viable forest conservation in connection with fishing.
The Future of Recreation and Southern Forest Conservation
With 86% of the region’s forestland in private hands, landowners face both challenges and opportunities when opening their property to recreational use. While activities like hunting leases, ATV permits, and camping fees can provide crucial revenue streams, many landowners are deterred by the upfront costs of infrastructure, maintenance, and navigating legal liability concerns. For recreation to become a more viable and sustainable income source, landowners need better access to economic incentives, such as tax breaks or grants, alongside stronger legal protections to mitigate risks.
Keeping Forests’ broader market development strategies can help address these challenges by creating new revenue opportunities beyond recreation alone. By promoting the development of timber and non-timber forest products, connecting landowners with emerging markets, and encouraging innovation in forest management, Keeping Forests helps landowners diversify their income sources. This diversification can provide the financial stability necessary for landowners to invest in recreational infrastructure while maintaining the health of their forests. Additionally, partnerships between landowners, conservation organizations, and market innovators can ensure that both recreation and forest product development contribute to long-term sustainability and economic viability.
Together, these strategies support landowners in keeping their forests intact and thriving for future generations.