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Great American Rail-Trail

Imagine a trail that

connects the country

A Trail That Connects the Country

The Great American Rail-Trail® is the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail, stretching more than 3,700 miles between Washington, D.C., and Washington State. This trail is an iconic piece of American infrastructure that will connect thousands of miles of rail-trails and other multiuse trails, serving tens of millions of people living along the route as well as those who visit the trail from around the country and the world.

2023 Great American Rail-Trail Progress

Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 9 of 12 states along the route will have introduced new trail segments since the route was initially developed
Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - $117.5 million Public and private funds secured for Great American Rail-Trail segments since the route announcement in 2019
Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 160 miles trail mileage in development, nearly 6 percent of the remaining route
Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 113 miles added to the route since May 2019
Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 12 states traversed and District of Columbia
50 million people withiin 50 miles of the Great American Rail-Trail
Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 3700 total miles and 2057 existing trail miles
Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - More than 55 percent complete
Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 150 existing trails hosting route and 80 trail gaps
Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 229.4 million in visitor spending
Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 2500 new jobs
Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 22.8 million in new tax revenue
Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 25.6 million trips

The Vision of the Great American Rail-Trail

Picture yourself … pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless and scenic pathway—or walking a local trail that connects along historic routes. Imagine the incomparable experience of exploring America’s heritage by trail—its potential, its beauty and bounty, its people and places. Consider the economic opportunities and the benefits for communities along the route of a multiuse trail that stretches more than 3,700 miles between Washington and Washington. Learn more about the vision of the Great American Rail-Trail.

The Great American Experience

Discovering America: Reconnecting People and Places

50 million people withiin 50 miles of the Great American Rail-Trail

The Great American Rail-Trail promises an all-new American experience. Through 12 states and the District of Columbia, the trail will directly serve nearly 50 million people within 50 miles of the route. Across the nation—and the world—only the limits of imagination will limit its use. Learn more about the preferred route.

Great American Rail-Trail branded map (2022) by RTC
Great American Rail-Trail branded map (2022) by RTC

Great American Rail-Trail Preferred Route

Stories from the Great American Rail-Trail

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Be a Part of the Movement to Complete the Great American

Like you, we can’t wait to see the Great American Rail-Trail vision come to life—but we can’t do it alone. Help us reach 1 million pledges for the Great American, showing the strength and solidarity of the trails community.

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Support the Great American Rail-Trail

The Great American Rail-Trail will stand alongside our country’s iconic landmarks as a national treasure. You can help by making a gift to RTC, supporting the national leadership and on-the-ground support—the work to organize people, plans and ideas; trail planning and community engagement; the advocacy and marketing that is necessary to completing the Great American Rail-Trail.

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Ryan Chao | Photo by Eric Kayne/AP Images

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