Rails to Trails Magazine
“The Tridge” in Midland, Michigan, along the 30-mile Pere Marquette Rail Trail
Photo by Charles Bonham
Rails to Trails magazine is dedicated to exploring America’s remarkable rail-trails and trail networks, with a focus on the impact they have in communities nationwide. Published quarterly—three times per year in print plus one all-multimedia edition—the magazine is a benefit of membership to Rails to Trails Conservancy. Subscribe now to get great trail content while supporting RTC and the trails movement.
Preview Latest Issue
Winter 2024 Issue
In this issue, we:
- Explore the legacy of community spirit and support that has made the 30-mile Pere Marquette Rail Trail a beloved asset to the people of Central Michigan.
- Get “A View From …” trail networks at the forefront of the movement to connect the nation by trail and learn how they are bringing new, equitable access to the outdoors and quality of life for millions of people.
- Take a closer look at the Howard W. Peak Greenway Trails System, a transformative 101-mile trail network that connects green space, dozens of parks, major commercial areas and the University of Texas.
- Find out the inspiration behind HBCUs Outside Founder Ron Griswell’s work to create new connections to the outdoors for students and families.
- Examine the life of Clara McCarty Wilt—the first graduate of the University of Washington and the first woman to hold public office in Washington State—40 years before women’s suffrage. A dorm on campus—located along the Great American Rail-Trail®—honors her legacy.
- Check out some of our favorite sites across the country for joyful, trailside winter activities.
- Get a sneak peek at Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s upcoming guidebook—Rail-Trails: Southeast.
- And so much more!
Subscribe to the Magazine
Rails to Trails magazine is a benefit of membership to Rails to Trails Conservancy, which is $22 a year, $5 of which supports the magazine. In addition to the magazine, members receive discounts on RTC gifts and publications.
Read More Magazine Stories
View More BlogsWintertime Trail Fun
End of the Line: How Timber and Train Tracks Transformed the Olympic Peninsula
Remembering Franco Harris—Trails and Bicycling Advocate
Digital Feature Videos
In the all-multimedia Green Issue, Rails to Trails magazine takes a closer look at the leadership, public investment and community collaboration that is fueling efforts to create and connect trails—and bring this essential infrastructure to communities that have long been disinvested and under-resourced.
In Milwaukee, local leaders and trail advocates are working together to revitalize the 30th Street Corridor, once one of America’s most vibrant and prodigious manufacturing areas. Learn about the community’s vision to reignite the corridor and create new and vibrant prospects for commerce, economic development, recreation and active transportation—within the corridor and beyond. The corridor is a key segment of the developing 700-mile Route of the Badger, an RTC TrailNation™ project.
Featuring:
Willie Smith, Northwest Side CDC; Danitra Jones, Northwest Side CDC; Ammar Nsoroma, Red, Bike & Green-Milwaukee; and Willie Karidis, Rails to Trails Conservancy
Produced by Rails to Trails magazine and Johnson Media Consulting.
In California, billions of dollars are being invested through the state’s Active Transportation Program to create equitable access to trails in under-resourced communities and generate new economic, health, climate and active transportation benefits. Here, we explore two projects in the Bay Area regional trail network—the Richmond Greenway and the developing West Oakland Link—with a focus on their impact for residents, neighborhoods and the region.
Featuring:
Najari Smith, Rich City Rides; Toody Maher, Pogo Park; Gavin Lohry, Metropolitan Transportation Commission; Ms. Margaret Gordon, West Oakland Environmental Indicators Project; and Laura Cohen, Rails to Trails Conservancy
Produced by Rails to Trails magazine and DS Simon Media.
Subscribe to the Magazine
The magazine is a benefit of membership to Rails to Trails Conservancy, which is $22 a year, $5 of which supports the magazine. In addition to the magazine, members receive discounts on RTC gifts and publications.
Past Magazine Issues
View digital versions of past issues below or contact us for back issues.
We Want to Hear From You!
Our members always have plenty to say (and write) about Rails to Trails—and we’re always eager to hear it! If you enjoyed or have comments on a recent issue of the magazine, please submit a short letter to our editor. If we can—we’ll print it in the next edition! You can also contact us for former issues and articles of Rails to Trails not listed in the archive. Don’t forget to check out our TrailBlog for more stories.