Get To Know The Nation’s Largest Trails, Walking and Biking Advocacy Organization
Partner with Us | Explore Our Impact | Spread the Joy of Trails | History | Build the Movement | Great American Rail-Trail | TrailLink | TrailNation
At Rails to Trails Conservancy, we believe in the joy and impact that trails deliver for people, places and the planet. That’s why—as the nation’s largest advocacy organization for trails, walking and bicycling—we’re working hard to make sure trails connect everyone, in every neighborhood across America.
Trails Connecting Everyone, Everywhere
Stay in the loop about what’s happening to make it safer and easier to walk and bike where you live, and how you can get involved.
We See the Joy of a Day Outside…and So Much More.
Trails are the spaces in our neighborhoods where memories are made. Where communities connect. And where joy happens. These are the spaces where we can be active and take care of our minds and our bodies, while helping the places around us thrive.
The hard work to reimagine public spaces, creating trails that make it possible for America to experience the joy of a day outside … and all that can mean for us and our neighborhoods … takes a collective effort. Become part of the movement to create more safe spaces for people to walk, bike and be active—right where they live. It’s worth it.
Building a Nation Connected by Trails
Photo courtesy RTC
Nearly 40 years ago, a group of conservation and outdoor professionals, biking and walking advocates, and railroad history buffs came together with an idea: To convert abandoned or unused rail corridors — which were closing at an increasingly rapid pace across America — into multiuse trails.
Since then, our work has expanded far beyond the rail-trail.
When RTC got its start in 1986, the vision was to make rail-trails America’s main streets—ubiquitous in the value they deliver and unique in the heritage and history they represent. Since then, we’ve supported the creation of more than 41,000 miles of rail-trails and multiuse trails across the country—providing people with safe, off-road routes for walking, bicycling and connecting to nature. Today, the opportunity is in connecting those trails, transforming the American way of life and making it possible for everyone to walk, bike and be active where they live.
Our Impact
41,400+
miles of multiuse trail across the country providing people with safe, off-road routes for walking, bicycling, being active and connecting to nature.150+
trail networks are being built in the U.S., with at least one in every state, showing universal demand for connected active transportation infrastructure.$24 Billion
in federal active transportation funding has supported tens of thousands of trail, walking and biking projects, a fraction of the annual ROI they deliver.90 Million
people connected to trails via TrailLink™, having fun and making trails part of their everyday lives.1 Million+
grassroots taking action, transforming their joy into impact to create, connect and maintain the nation’s trails.7,500+
professionals and advocates coming together to spur trail and active transportation network development nationwide.12,000
miles of trail being connected through TrailNation™, proving what is possible when trail networks are at the heart of communities.Elevating the Joy and Impact of Trails
Gurney Street Trail pilot project along the planned Richmond Industrial Trail | Photo courtesy HACE
RTC is leading the way, bringing people and organizations nationwide together to create, connect and maintain safe spaces for people to walk, bike and be active outside where they live. We’re rallying a movement of people to make a difference. Connecting trails and active transportation infrastructure in every neighborhood in America. Advocating for the investment and policy changes necessary to support that vision. Ensuring that a future walkable, bikeable country is rooted in equity and inclusion. Making it possible for trails to be part of our everyday lives. Our flagship initiatives bring that strategy to life, connecting millions of people to trails every year—and you can, too.
Great American Rail-Trail
The Great American Rail-Trail® is America’s first cross-country multiuse trail, stretching more than 3,700 miles between Washington, D.C., and Washington State. The iconic trail promises a unique American adventure—rich in the history, heritage and cultures woven into the landscape of the nation. When finished, the Great American will serve 50 million people within 50 miles of the route and generate hundreds of millions of dollars in economic impact.
Find Trails with TrailLink
RTC’s trail-finder platform, TrailLink™, has connected over 90 million people to multiuse trails. TrailLink helps people of every age and ability find their perfect trail, ensuring everyone can safely navigate their day-to-day trail experiences and plan epic adventures of a lifetime.
TrailNation
TrailNation™ is redefining how the country builds trails and trail networks while showcasing the impact trails have on people and places. We bring together the model projects, champions, and resources needed to make trail networks central to community design. When we connect trails, great things happen for people, places, and the planet.
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Partner With Us
We’d love to work with you! Reach out to Cas Marburger to learn more about opportunities to get involved. To create a future where everyone has safe spaces to walk, bike and be active outdoors takes all of us. We’d love to have you along for the ride.
