Trail Tips and Resources
Photo courtesy Getty Images
Prepare for your next trail visit by checking out these helpful tips and resources organized by activity.
Find A Trail Near You
Did you know that there are more than 40,000 miles of multiuse trails across the county? To find a trail close to you and to access operating information and more, you can use our free trail-guide website and app, TrailLink.
How-To Blogs
View More How-To Blogs
America’s Trails
Exploring the Nation’s Trailside Geoheritage Sites
July 02, 2026
Using Trails
How to Get to US World Cup 2026 Events by Trail, Walking, Biking and Public Transit
May 27, 2026
Using Trails
Five Amtrak Destinations for Exploring the South by Train and Trail
February 17, 2026
View More How-To Blogs Trail Stories About Enjoying Nature (Disfrutar la naturaleza)
Using Trails
Where the Wild Things Go: Exploring Wildlife Corridors Along America’s Trails
July 08, 2024
Using Trails
Trail Moments | Tips for Outdoor Outings With Your Kids
August 04, 2022
Using Trails
Trail Moments | By Sight & Sound: Tips for Birding Beginners
May 30, 2022
Using Trails
How to Pull Off the Ultimate Trail Picnic
November 09, 2014
Using Trails
ID the Tree!
March 18, 2022
Using Trails
Geocaching: Find the Fun!
March 30, 2022
More Resources
- Take a Forest Bath #OnTheCircuit / Sumérjase en el bosque #EnElCircuito (#OnTheCircuit)
- Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Scavenger Hunt / My Circuit Trails Scavenger Hunt
- Entryway to Birding Blog Series | Madison Audubon
- Ecological Park Restoration (A Retired Backyard Birders Production) | Shayndel Shofar (video)
- Monticello Ecological Park Restoration Part Two. (RBB) | Shayndel Shofar (video)
- Monticello Ecological Park Restoration Project Phase 3 Retired Backyard Birders. | Shayndel Shofar (video)
- Parks & Trails Tour
- Camping on te Circuit: Three Trails for Overnight Adventures / Campamento en el circuito: Tres senderos para aventuras nocturnas
Trail Stories About Walking and Running (Caminar y correr)
Using Trails
Top 15 Unique Trails for Runners
June 11, 2024
Using Trails
Rail-Trail Running for Beginners
April 04, 2024
Using Trails
Hiking Hacks: Long-Distance Prep Tips and Tricks for Rail-Trails 101
February 14, 2023
America’s Trails
How to Train for a 5K or 10K Using Rail-Trails
April 05, 2021
Health and Wellness
11 Tips to Make Walking a Natural, Enjoyable Part of Your Day
September 16, 2015
America’s Trails
Step to It: Seven Ways to Spice Up Your Walks
March 13, 2019
Trail Stories About Biking (Ciclismo)
Using Trails
Exploring Trails with Bike Trailers: Tips for a Family-Friendly Adventure
May 06, 2024
Using Trails
Seven Ways to Keep Kids Entertained on the Trails
March 13, 2024
Using Trails
Exploring America’s E-Bike Evolution
May 04, 2023
Using Trails
Trail Moments | Advice From a Mom: How to Get Kids to Love Biking
May 06, 2022
Using Trails
How to Be Equipment-Ready for Your First Long-Distance Trail Ride
March 13, 2018
America’s Trails
Useful Biking Gear for Trails—Plus a Few MacGyver Tips!
March 30, 2018
Using Trails
Seven Things That Can Go Wrong on a Bike—And How to Fix ‘Em!
May 11, 2015
Health and Wellness
15 Essentials Every Bicyclist Should Have
August 24, 2015
Using Trails
How to Prepare for Your First Long-Distance Trail Ride
February 14, 2017
Using Trails
How to Get Back on a Bike—Years Later (8 Simple Tips)
July 09, 2015
Using Trails
How to Ride in the Rain
November 10, 2014
America’s Trails
Trail Moments | How To Long-Distance Bike Tour With (Six!) Young Kids
September 03, 2021
Using Trails
Five Quick Tips to Keep Your Trike (or Recumbent) Tip-Top
March 14, 2022
Using Trails
Considering a Recumbent Bike? Here Are Some Tips to Keep in Mind.
February 15, 2022
Using Trails
Slow Down and Enjoy the Trail With These E-bike Tales and Tips from IZIP
April 14, 2022
More Resources
- Brush Up on Biking Basics | The Circuit Trails / Repasar los conceptos básicos de ciclismo
- Easy Preventative Maintenance for Rail-Trail-Riders | TrailLink / Fácil mantenimiento preventivo para los usuarios de senderos ferroviarios
- Before You Go: Biking | 815 Outside (video)
- I just bought a new bicycle. Now what? | Century Cycles
- 8 Tip for COVID-19 Biking Etiquette | Courtesy Pennsylvania Department of Conservation and Natural Resources
Trail Commuting Stories
Using Trails
Swap Out a Car Trip for a Trail Trip With These Tips and Tricks
August 31, 2022
Using Trails
Trail Moments | Swapping a Car for a Bike? Here’s What I Learned.
July 07, 2022
Using Trails
You and Your Bike Are Welcome Aboard Metra
March 12, 2024
Using Trails
Trail Moments | Teacher Shares Bike Commuting Lessons
August 04, 2023
Health and Wellness
15 Essentials Every Bicyclist Should Have
August 24, 2015
Using Trails
How to Ride in the Rain
November 10, 2014
Cold-weather Trail Stories (Uso de senderos en climas fríos)
America’s Trails
Seven Hot Tips for Cold-Weather Biking
January 14, 2021
RTC hopes these tips for cold-weather biking will help you embrace and enjoy winter riding, but, if you’re new to it, just take it slow.
America’s Trails
Rail-Trail Tips for Cross-Country Skiing (A 101 Guide)
February 03, 2021
Why not add cross-country or Nordic skiing to your list? Here are a few quick tips to help you give it a try!
America’s Trails
The Magical World of Snowshoeing: A How-To Guide for Trails
February 04, 2021
Snowshoeing might seem a little intimidating at first, but once you give it a try, you might just find a new-found freedom to hit the trails.
America’s Trails
Winter “Share the Trail” Etiquette and Safety Tips
February 01, 2021
Find out how we can “Share the Trail” together safely with winter etiquette—while still gleaning the best that winter has to offer on trails.
America’s Trails
How to Adapt Trail Activities and Gear for Cold and Winter Conditions
November 23, 2020
Common outdoor activities such as walking, hiking, running and cycling can be done safely in the fall and winter. Here are few tips from the experts.
America’s Trails
10 Rail-Trail Winter Wonderlands
December 20, 2016
Here are 10 winter Rail-Trails so you can enjoy trails in different ways such as fat tire biking, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing.
More Resources
Stories About Volunteering (Voluntariado)
Accessibility Stories
America’s Trails
World Record Holder Sets Out on 475-Mile Wheelchair Trek on the Great American Rail-Trail
September 23, 2022
Using Trails
Trail Moments | Adapting Trail Trips for a Hiker With a Disability: A Family’s Advice
April 15, 2021
Using Trails
Finding Freedom on Your Bike as an Adaptive Cyclist
March 27, 2023
Using Trails
Accessible Trail Adventures for People of All Abilities
May 15, 2017
Using Trails
Special Olympics Promotes Exploration, Fitness and Discovery on Kansas Trails
January 31, 2021
Using Trails
#TrailMoments with Noodle (@NoodsterScootster)
September 01, 2022
America’s Trails
Trail Moments | Connecting to Nature, Connecting as a Family, on America’s Trails
January 14, 2021
America’s Trails
Tips, #TrailMoments and Talk with Vasu Sojitra
December 07, 2020
America’s Trails
A Serious Injury Changed Cyclist Ian Mackay’s Life. Trails Helped Him Rebuild It.
August 27, 2019