Imagine what’s possible with a trail that connects the country
Show your support for the growing 3,700-plus mile Great American Rail-Trail, and challenge your friends, family and fellow trail fans to do the same!
The Great American Experience
Preview video for the experience of the Great American
The Great American Rail-Trail promises an all-new American experience. The preferred route connects 125+ existing rail-trails, greenways and other multiuse paths through 12 states and the District of Columbia, spanning more than 3,700 miles. These trails are hosting the Great American through their communities, making possible this grand vision of a nation connected by trails. And with more than 52% of the route already on the ground, now is the time to experience the Great American Rail-Trail!
#GRTAmerican Experience Challenge
We’re inviting you to be a part of something that moves us forward and unites us—even as some of us may need to stay put, and we all stay physically apart. Starting in late August through the end of September, blaze a mile for the Great American Rail-Trail to show your support for this growing 3,700-plus mile pathway between Washington, D.C., and Washington State, and challenge your friends, family and fellow trail fans to do the same!
Whether you’re lucky enough to live next door to any of the 145+ trails that are hosting the cross-country route of the Great American or you log your mile on a close-to-home trail wherever you live, you’ll be showing your support for the Great American. And as always, we remind you to #RecreateResponsibly as you log your mile and help advance this epic trail that will connect the country like never before.
Here’s how to participate:
1Blaze 1 mile (or more) for the Great American Rail-Trail—walk it, run it, bike it, ride it, dance it, scoot it or skate it, however you choose to experience it, just do it!
2Share a photo or video of your experience on social media and tag at least one other person (the more the merrier!) to challenge them to do it or donate to support the Great American. Remember to use #GRTAmerican and to tag @GreatAmericanRailTrail on Facebook and Instagram for chance to be featured and win awesome gear! Terms and Conditions apply.
3That’s it! And you can keep logging more miles and challenge other Great American Rail-Trail fans to rally even more support!
GREEN ISSUE Feature
A VIEW FROM ... OHIO'S MIAMI VALLEY TRAILS WITH MAGGIE RECKERS
Artist Maggie Reckers spends much of her time creating in the outdoors—her inspiration coming “from the feelings and emotions she receives when she experiences the boldness and gentleness of nature.” Take a virtual trip in this interactive StoryMap with Reckers as she pedals and paints her way along four trails in Ohio’s Miami Valley region.
Story by Laura Stark. StoryMap by Derek Strout. Produced by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy.
Prepare for Your #GRTAmerican Experience
Get started by checking out these tips for how to recreate responsibly and practice good trail etiquette, then finding a section of the Great American Rail-Trail to experience or a trail near you using TrailLink.
The Great American Rail-Trail Experience: Connections to Our National Scenic and Historic Trails
11/12/19 by Laura Stark
The Great American Rail-Trail is a signature project of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, the nation’s largest trails organization—with a grassroots community more than 1 million strong—dedicated to connecting people and communities through a nationwide network of public trails, many from former rail lines. The “Great American” is the most ambitious project in its TrailNation™ portfolio—the organization’s initiative to encourage the rapid replication of regional trail networks across the country. Follow @greatamericanrailtrail on Facebook and Instagram.
