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    HomeAppalachia’s Outdoors: A Gateway to Growth

        
      
Appalachia’s Outdoors: A Gateway to Growth
	
	
				
	
	
	Appalachia is home to the nation’s most-visited national park, The Great Smoky Mountains, and the newest national park, New River Gorge. The region is also home to national forests and national historical parks, more than 225 state parks, world-class trail systems, and more.

Together, these natural assets create a gateway to **economic opportunity and increased quality of life for communities.** ARC investments and partners aim to sustainably leverage these assets to build tourism opportunities and strengthen local economies.




	



2
              
              National Parks							  


10
              
              National Historical Parks							  


16
              
              National Forests




	



National Parks in the Region    
    
    Investment in Action      
      New River Gorge: America’s Newest National Park
          ARC investments help communities and entrepreneurs sustainably leverage this incredible asset.
																	
										
			

  Investment in Action      
      Great Smoky Mountains: Adventure Creates Opportunity in Tennessee
          In the Great Smoky Mountains, Cocke County is using ARC support on a new biking trail.



National Historical Parks
    
    *Photo: Tuskegee Institute*

*Photo:**NPS via Hopewell Culture*
                    **Alabama**
Tuskegee Airmen,Tuskegee Institute
**Kentucky, Tennessee, and Virginia**
Cumberland Gap
**Maryland and West Virginia**
Harpers Ferry,Chesapeake and Ohio Canal
**North Carolina**
Carl Sandburg Home
**Ohio**
Hopewell Culture
**Pennsylvania**
Allegheny Portage Railroad,Steamtown
**Tennessee**
Andrew Johnson Homestead




	



ARC’s Outdoor and Tourism Investments    
    
    $28M
              
              ARC investment in outdoor projects from FY 2016 to FY 2020							  


97
              
              nature, culture, and tourism projects supported by ARC from FY 2016 to FY2020





	


  
Investment in Action          
                      Rural Action: Moving Forest Communities Forward
          
                      In Ohio, Rural Action is using ARC support and a partnership with Wayne National Forest to help coal-impacted communities boost tourism through trails.
          
                      Read Their Story





	


  
Virtual Event          
                      Appalachia Envisioned Roadshow
          
                      This five-part virtual event series showcases how all 13 Appalachian states are bringing ARC’s investment priorities to life. At Stop #2: Culture and Tourism, hear how communities are using outdoor recreation, creative placemaking, and more strategies to create economic growth.
          
                      Register Here





	



Related Content    
    
    Report      
      Extending Our Welcome: Trends and Strategies for Tourism in Appalachia
																				
																	

  Investment Priority      
      Building Regional Culture and Tourism

      Canoeing on the river in Unicoi, Tennessee
																				
																	

  Investment in Action      
      Pennsylvania Wilds: Connecting Nature, Culture, and Entrepreneurship Appalachian Regional Commission

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