Supporting Trail Builders
North Bend Rail-Trail | Photo courtesy West Virginia State Parks
We support trail builders from coast to coast in creating and connecting vibrant public spaces—to engage, to inspire, to empower communities. Our expertise—and nationally renowned network of trail advocates, leaders, builders and voices—are changing the fabric of the American landscape, taking safe walking and bicycling routes from vision to reality.
Here’s how we bring trail networks to life.
TrailNation Collaborative
![2018 TrailNation Summit | Photo courtesy RTC](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/2018-TrailNation-Summit-Photo-courtesy-RTC.jpg)
The TrailNation™ Collaborative is where America’s trail builders and champions come together with public leaders and professionals to accelerate the pace of trail network development.
Strategies from Our Playbook
TrailNation Playbook curates case studies, best practices and tools to accelerate trail network development—with a focus on prioritizing equitable approaches that ensure trails and their benefits are experienced by everyone in a community.
Early Warning System
A service of our TrailNation Collaborative, RTC notifies community activists and officials of impending rail abandonments—for potential transformation into a trail.
Trail-Building Toolbox
![Trail-Building Animation of railroad track removal](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Trail-Building-Animation-reduced.gif)
Get all the basics for creating a vibrant trail in your community, including technical tips and tried-and-true methods for generating neighborhood, political and funding support for your project.
Explore Our Resource Library
![Ludlam Trail | Photo courtesy FECI](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Ludlam-Trail-Photo-courtesy-FECI-1024x341.jpeg)
Check out our cutting-edge collection resources—including the latest research, articles and case studies covering topics from across the movement.
![Woman on webinar - Photo courtesy Getty Images](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Webinars-Photo-courtesy-Getty-Images.jpeg)
![BikeAble graphic by RTC](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/BikeAble-graphic-by-RTC.jpeg)
Stories about Building Trails
View More Blogs![Groundbreaking in Owensville, Missouri, along the developing Rock Island Trail State Park | Photo courtesy Friends of Rock Island Trail State Park](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Groundbreaking-in-Owensville-Missouri-along-the-developing-Rock-Island-Trail-State-Park_Courtesy-Friends-of-Rock-Island-Trail-State-Park-800x442-c-default.jpg)
Missouri’s Rock Island Trail State Park: Building Miles and Momentum
![Eastern Continental Divide tunnel along the Great Allegheny Passage (gaptrail.org) | Photo courtesy Dave Majors](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eastern-Continental-Divide-tunnel-along-the-Great-Allegheny-Passage_Photo-courtesy-Dave-Majors-800x442-c-default.jpg)
American Icon: The Great American Rail-Trail Is on Its Way to Fulfilling a Cross-Country Vision
![Trident Depot exterior | Photo courtesy Three Forks Area Historical Society](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Trident-Depot-exterior_Photo-courtesy-Three-Forks-Area-Historical-Society-800x442-c-default.jpg)
Trident Depot Saved by Three Forks Community Encapsulates Region’s Rich History
![Hall of Fame 2024 Nominees Voting graphic](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/HOF24_Lightbox.jpg)