Survey respondents, who came from 63 different Minnesota counties and 14 different states and the District of Columbia, were drawn by this region’s reputation.

“When we asked survey respondents ‘how did you hear about it,’ the most common response was via word of mouth,” said Brigid Tuck, lead researcher from the University of Minnesota Extension. “There is a positive reputation out there that is bringing people to this area.”

The findings could be used to leverage more money from the state and to make a case for more trail coverage in this region, according to Sen. Grant Hauschild, DFL-Hermantown.

“We need to make the case to other legislators from the Twin Cities, from Mankato, from other places that, look, your people own these licenses, they own these ATVs, and they’re coming to our region to utilize our outdoors and our land for their benefit,” Hauschild said.

Between 2005 and 2020, registrations for ATVs increased by 36%, according to the study.

ATVs have gotten a bad rap in the past, said Ron Potter, president of ATV Minnesota. He credits the development of organized ATV clubs with changing that. Ten years ago there were no clubs, he said. Now there are 70 in Minnesota.