Superior Hiking Trail Association

What Superior Hiking Trail Association does

The Superior Hiking Trail Association (SHTA) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 1986 and headquartered in Two Harbors, Minnesota. It maintains and stewards the Superior Hiking Trail (SHT), a 300+ mile continuous footpath along Lake Superior's North Shore from the Minnesota-Wisconsin border to the Canadian border, including 94 backcountry campsites and over 60 trailhead parking areas. The trail traverses Superior National Forest, four Minnesota State Parks, City of Duluth property, and over 80 parcels of private land secured through landowner agreements. SHTA became part of the North Country National Scenic Trail network in 2019.

SHTA's core products are its official publications — the 10th Edition Guidebook, the 1st Edition Databook, the 2nd Edition Trail Atlas (41 double-sided topographic maps), and a six-section Map Series — distributed through a physical Trail Store in Two Harbors, an online store (shop.superiorhiking.org), select retail partners, Amazon Kindle, and the Avenza Maps mobile app. Supporting services include the End-2-Ender recognition program, the annual Hike 50 Challenge (Hike 40 for 2026), real-time Trail Conditions and Trail Incident Reporting systems, and a Trail Use Notification System for large groups. Technology infrastructure is lightweight: geospatial data, Google Forms, Mailchimp newsletters, and WordPress-based web properties.

The organization operates an 8-person staff supported by 600+ volunteers contributing 10,000+ hours annually. Its revenue model is a hybrid of charitable contributions (membership fees, individual donations, planned giving, Donor Advised Funds) generating approximately 60% of the operating budget, supplemented by publication sales, business memberships ($500–$5,000 tiers), events, and merchandise. Trail use itself is free with no permits or reservations required. The organization maintains Charity Navigator Four-Star and GuideStar Platinum transparency ratings and is run by Executive Director Lisa Luokkala with governance from a Board of Directors chaired by Barry Cattadoris.

Name

Superior Hiking Trail Association

Legal name

Superior Hiking Trail Association

Website

https://superiorhiking.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1986

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

The Superior Hiking Trail Association is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that maintains the 300+ mile Superior Hiking Trail along Minnesota's North Shore, publishes official guidebooks and maps, and serves hikers, backpackers, trail runners, and volunteers through educational and stewardship programs.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Trail Stewardship and Outdoor Recreation Publishing

NAICS

Nature Parks and Other Similar Institutions (71219), Environment, Conservation and Wildlife Organizations (813312)

SIC

Services-Membership Organizations (8600)

akta.pro primary industry

Hiking, Trekking & Mountain Guiding (THAJABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Mountain & Wilderness Lodges (THAAAHAE), Safety, Permitting & Logistics Support Services (Trip Leaders, Route Planning, Rescue Support) (THAAALAL)

Keywords

• Trail maintenance services
• Outdoor recreation publishing
• Hiking trail stewardship
• Nonprofit conservation
• Volunteer trail programs

Headquarters

HQ city

Two Harbors

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Membership Fees: Annual membership fees provide core operating support. Approximately 60% of the Association's operating budget comes from donations, membership fees, and charitable contributions. Members receive the Ridgeline biannual print newsletter and monthly Trail Mix e-newsletter.
2. Donations and Charitable Contributions: Individual donations, planned giving, legacy gifts through estates, and Donor Advised Fund contributions. Approximately 60% of operating budget comes from donations and membership combined.
3. Publications Sales: Sale of official Superior Hiking Trail Guidebooks, Databooks, Trail Atlases, and Map Series through the Trail Store (physical and online) and select retail partners. Revenue directly supports trail management and maintenance.
4. Business Memberships and Sponsorships: Business supporters contribute through annual memberships and sponsorships at Day Hiker ($500+), Backpacker ($2,500+), and Thru-Hiker ($5,000+) levels, with tiered recognition including website logos, newsletter features, and welcome kits.
5. Events and Programs: Revenue generation through events including the 40th Anniversary celebration merchandise, Hike 40 Challenge program, and End-2-Ender program (requires $45+/year membership or recent volunteer activity).

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels12 records

Core offering

The Superior Hiking Trail Association maintains and promotes the 300+ mile Superior Hiking Trail along Minnesota's North Shore, providing a continuous, professionally managed footpath with 94 backcountry campsites, 60+ trailhead parking areas, and official navigation publications (guidebook, databook, atlas, and map series). The organization sustains the trail through a volunteer-powered stewardship model, generates revenue via membership programs, donations, and publication sales, and offers supporting programs such as the End-2-Ender recognition and the annual Hike 50 Challenge.

Product overview

The Superior Hiking Trail Association operates a suite of trail management and recreation services centered on the 300+ mile Superior Hiking Trail in Minnesota. The core product portfolio consists of official publications (the Guidebook, Databook, Trail Atlas, and Map Series) that provide navigation, safety information, and planning resources for hikers, trail runners, and backpackers. Supporting services include the End-2-Ender recognition program, Hike 50 Challenge incentive program, real-time Trail Conditions reporting, and a Trail Use Notification system for large groups. The association also maintains 94 backcountry campsites and over 60 trailhead parking areas. In 2026, the organization is celebrating its 40th Anniversary with special commemorative editions of its Hike Challenge and limited merchandise.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Superior Hiking Trail (SHT): The 300+ mile footpath along Minnesota's North Shore that the association manages, maintains, and promotes.

Products and services

• Superior Hiking Trail Guidebook (10th Edition) Official SHTA-published guidebook providing mile-by-mile descriptions of the 300+ mile Superior Hiking Trail, including access and parking info, campsite descriptions, water sources, and reference sections. Available in physical book (10 oz, 206 pages) and Kindle e-book formats. For hikers, backpackers, trail runners, and thru-hikers planning trips on the SHT.
• Superior Hiking Trail Databook (1st Edition)

Quantifiable outcome

• 300+ miles of maintained trail with 94 backcountry campsites
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• North Country Trail Association (NCTA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2019The SHT officially became part of the North Country National Scenic Trail (NCT) route in 2019. The NCT is an 4,800-mile trail running from North Dakota to Vermont, and the SHT makes up about one-third of the NCT's Minnesota miles. SHTA volunteers can access the Volunteer-In-Parks (VIP) program through the NCT affiliation, co-managed by the National Park Service and NCTA. The Hike 50 Challenge miles also count toward the NCTA's Hike 100 Challenge.
• Avenza MapscoreTechnology or IntegrationAvenza Maps is the digital distribution platform for the SHTA's Trail Atlas. The SHTA publishes its maps digitally through the Avenza Maps mobile app, with digital maps updated biannually. Note: Avenza recently merged with another company and will no longer support map updates or new content, which will affect future digital map distribution.
• Unruly WomensupportingStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Unruly Women (unrulywomen.org) for women-identifying and femme-leaning non-binary trail maintenance events, including the all-femme Bean and Bear Backpack Team (July 17-19) and the All-Femme Wild Valley Boardwalk Build (August 21-23). These events are reserved as all-femme events to create inclusive volunteer opportunities.
• Minnesota State Parks (Jay Cooke, Gooseberry Falls, Tettegouche, Cascade River)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SHT passes through several Minnesota State Parks. Large groups interested in base-camping while day hiking are directed to reserve group campsites at Jay Cooke State Park, Gooseberry Falls State Park, Tettegouche State Park, and Cascade River State Park. Some state parks require reservations and fees. The SHT inside the City of Duluth is managed in partnership with the City.
• Private LandownerscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOver 80 private landowners have granted permission for the SHT to cross their properties. The SHTA provides landowners with GPS routes and maps, conducts at least two trail inspections per year, maintains signage, and posts closures during deer firearms season. Landowners can request private property signs and are encouraged to report issues directly to the Executive Director.
• Superior National Forest / U.S. Forest ServicecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SHT traverses Superior National Forest lands. The US Forest Service manages campfire restrictions and wildfire advisories affecting the trail. Commercial activities on Superior National Forest lands require a special use permit from the Superior National Forests. The SHTA coordinates trail maintenance and renewal projects on federal lands.
• City of DuluthcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe SHT inside the City of Duluth passes through city parks and urban corridors. The City manages trail closures during spring thaw (approximately April 1 through mid-May) and fall freeze/thaw cycle (mid-October to mid-November). The SHTA works with the City on trail reroutes, such as the Spirit Mountain Loop route change implemented in partnership with the City of Duluth and Spirit Mountain Recreation Area.
• WTIP North Shore Community RadiosupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerWTIP North Shore Community Radio produced the Blazing Trail podcast series in partnership with the SHTA. The 8-episode podcast explores stories from four decades of trail building, volunteer work, and hiker transformation. It is available on WTIP's website and all major podcast platforms.
• TrailfitterssupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerTrailfitters runs an annual Trail Challenge each summer lasting six weeks. The SHT usually features on their list of suggested hikes. Those who complete the Trailfitters challenge can earn prizes, and SHT Hike 50 Challenge miles can also count toward the Trailfitters challenge.
• National Park Service (NPS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerBecause the SHT is an affiliate of the North Country Trail, SHTA volunteers have access to the Volunteer-In-Parks (VIP) program co-managed by the NPS and NCTA. VIPs receive the same injury considerations as NPS employees when operating within approved scope of duties and NPS policies, and are eligible for recognition and skills training.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Appalachian Trail Conservancy: Manages and stewards the 2,193-mile Appalachian Trail, providing maps, guidebooks, volunteer coordination, and membership-based nonprofit services. Most directly comparable peer to SHTA: same long-distance trail stewardship, membership/donation-driven nonprofit, guidebook and map publishing, large volunteer base.
• Continental Divide Trail Coalition: Manages the 3,100-mile Continental Divide Trail, another National Scenic Trail. Directly comparable to SHTA in mission (long-distance trail stewardship), publishing activities, volunteer coordination, and nonprofit funding model.
• Florida Trail Association: Manages the 1,500-mile Florida National Scenic Trail via a member-supported nonprofit with chapter-based volunteer structure. Comparable to SHTA in trail stewardship, membership model, and volunteer coordination.
• Pacific Crest Trail Association: Stewards the 2,650-mile Pacific Crest Trail from Mexico to Canada, publishing guidebooks and maps and running a large volunteer and membership program. Same long-distance hiking trail stewardship nonprofit model as SHTA, with publishing and volunteer-driven operations.
• Ice Age Trail Alliance: Stewards the 1,200-mile Ice Age National Scenic Trail in Wisconsin, another Midwest long-distance hiking trail run by a member-supported nonprofit. Closely comparable to SHTA in geography (Upper Midwest), trail length, structure, and stewardship model.
• North Country Trail Association: Manages the 4,800-mile North Country National Scenic Trail of which the SHT is an official segment. Direct peer and active partner; SHTA leverages NCTA's Hike 100 Challenge, VIP program, and federal trail affiliation.
• Colorado Trail Foundation: Stewards the 567-mile Colorado Trail, publishing maps and running a member-supported nonprofit. Comparable to SHTA in long-distance trail stewardship, publishing, and member/donation funding model.
• Arizona Trail Association: Manages the 800-mile Arizona National Scenic Trail through a membership-based nonprofit. Same long-distance trail stewardship, map and guidebook publishing, and volunteer-based model as SHTA.

Emerging players

• New England Trail Conference: Volunteer-based organization maintaining the New England Trail (215 miles) and related trail networks in the northeastern US. Smaller and more volunteer-driven than SHTA, but operates with a similar long-distance trail stewardship and mapping focus.

Others

• Leave No Trace: National nonprofit promoting outdoor ethics and Leave No Trace principles, which SHTA actively promotes through its trail ambassador program and education materials. Not a peer in trail ownership but an aligned education/outreach partner.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@superiorhikingtrailassocia8929
• Facebookfacebook.com/superiorhikingtrailassociation
• Instagraminstagram.com/superiorhikingtrailassociation
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/superior-hiking-trail-association

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Superior Hiking Trail Association