Tracks and Yaks continues to strengthen its role as one of Allegany County’s standout outdoor recreation attractions, growing both its visitor capacity and tourism offerings in Frostburg. What began with eight rail bikes now accommodates up to 100 riders per trip, reflecting increasing demand for outdoor recreation experiences in the region. In 2025 alone, Tracks and Yaks welcomed more than 25,000 visitors to Frostburg.
Founder Adam Forshee and his team brought new energy to the winter tourism season this year with the launch of the “Mountain Christmas Light Delight,” a winter rail bike experience that takes visitors through an illuminated tunnel and mountain light displays. This new experience brought an additional 5,000 visitors to Frostburg during a time that is traditionally slower for tourism.
Tracks and Yaks has also broadened its visitor experience by purchasing the historic Tunnel Hotel, located across from the train depot in Frostburg. The property includes eight hotel rooms and a small campground serving both Tracks and Yaks guests and travelers along the Great Allegheny Passage. Additional investments are underway at the property, including a new outdoor deck and wood-fired pizza oven designed to further enhance the visitor experience. To support the project, Tracks and Yaks worked with the Allegany County Department of Economic and Community Development (ACECD) to secure a deferred business loan.
“The loan program helped us buy the pizza oven…and some deck furniture. It’s been a great help and a great asset. They’ve [ACECD] been very supportive and flexible. We’re on pace now to have it done by July 4th,” said Forshee.
The Business Expansion Deferred Loan Program, overseen by ACECD, helps small businesses in Allegany County invest in long-term growth. The program provides low-interest financing for projects that increase productive capacity, create jobs, expand tourism, strengthen placemaking, or support business development. Businesses that meet established performance goals may qualify for partial loan forgiveness, helping reduce barriers to capital while encouraging continued investment in the local economy.
“This project reflects exactly the kind of investment the Deferred Loan Program is designed to support,” said Nathan Price, Senior Project Manager at ACECD. “By helping Tracks and Yaks add new amenities, we’re supporting a business that is bringing more visitors to Frostburg, encouraging longer stays, and contributing to the continued growth of Allegany County’s tourism economy.”
Forshee emphasized that the ripple effect is one of the most important parts of the outdoor recreation economy: visitors are coming for one experience, then extending their stays and exploring additional destinations throughout the region. “They can come here and do the rail bikes. Maybe that’s the thing that got them here,” Forshee said. “But we see more and more how they’ll stay an extra day and find something else to do, like taking a hike, going to Rocky Gap State Park, or taking a train ride.
They’ve turned it into a two-day experience rather than just driving out for one day to do this.”
Tracks and Yaks also partners with the Western Maryland Scenic Railroad to offer combined rail bike and train experiences between Frostburg and Cumberland. Last year, more than 5,000 visitors participated in the joint excursions.
Local residents continue to play a major role in the company’s growth as well. “The Allegany County locals are actually one of our largest customer bases, ” Forshee said. “About 8.8% of our customers last year came from here in the county.”
While Tracks and Yaks continues to scale its operations and visitor offerings, the business remains centered on outdoor recreation experiences that connect visitors to Allegany County’s natural assets, trail systems, and downtown communities. Through continued investment, expanded partnerships, and new visitor experiences, Tracks and Yaks continues to strengthen Allegany County’s tourism economy and support long-term economic growth.
To learn more about how programs like the Deferred Loan Program help local businesses invest, grow, and create new opportunities in Allegany County, read our blog.
