Imagine what’s possible with a trail that connects the country
The Great American Route
Explore the interactive map to learn more about the Great American route. View video tutorial.
STATES ON ROUTE TRAILS ON ROUTE INTERACTIVE MAP
RTC embarked on a 12-month assessment of route options using its GIS database of more than 34,000 miles of existing, multiuse trails nationwide, and analyzing more than 300 state and local trail plans to identify planned future trails. RTC also met and worked with more than 200 local trail partners and more than 50 state agencies representing the trails along the route, shaping criteria to ensure safe, non-motorized travel on a route that is entirely walkable and bikeable. These trail criteria specify that the Great American Rail-Trail be one contiguous route that is preliminarily more than 80%, and ultimately entirely, off-road and separated from vehicle traffic; comprise existing trails to the extent possible; be reasonably direct from Washington to Washington; be amenable to the state and local jurisdictions through which it will cross; and serve as a catalyst for local economic development, including providing services for long-distance travelers.
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Great American Rail-Trail Preferred Route
The preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail connects 150+ existing rail-trails, greenways and other multiuse paths 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! Explore the Great American Rail-Trail map above to learn more about the route and to find trails you can visit today.
The “Great American” Criteria
Key to the process of defining the preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail with states and trail partners was confirming a route across the country that would provide the highest-quality experience for all types of trail users—from long-distance cyclists and runners to casual daily explorers and everyone in between. Trail criteria were developed to ensure the Great American Rail-Trail would provide safe, nonmotorized travel on a route that is entirely walkable and bikeable. These trail criteria specify that:
- The Great America Rail-Trail be one contiguous route that is reasonably direct between Washington, D.C., and Washington State, and across each of the states it traverses.
- It will be separated from vehicle traffic—a minimum of 80 percent initially and ultimately entirely separated when the trail is complete.
- It will comprise existing trails to the extent possible and will represent trail priorities of the states and local jurisdictions that will host it.
- It will follow the most feasible route with regards to topography, geography and political priorities.
- It will serve as a catalyst for local economic development, including providing services for long-distance travelers.
State by State
The Great American Rail-Trail is a trail for everyone—separated from vehicle traffic, with gentle grades and an unparalleled experience. Key to the process of defining the preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail was confirming a route across the country that would provide the highest-quality experience for all types of trail users—from long-distance cyclists and runners to casual daily explorers and everyone in between.
RTC worked in close partnership with dozens of state agency representatives and hundreds of trail partners from across the country to assess and define the preferred route for the Great American to ensure a contiguous and reasonably direct route as well as one that complemented state priorities. This is America’s trail, and it is the trail of each of the states that will call it home.
Washington, D.C.
Illinois
Washington, D.C.
- National Mall Trails
- Rock Creek Park Trails
- K Street/Water Street Cycle Track
- Capital Crescent Trail
- Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park
Maryland
Pennsylvania
West Virginia
Ohio
- Conotton Creek Trail
- Zoar Valley Trai
- Ohio to Erie Trail
- Ohio & Erie Canalway Towpath Trail
- Heartland Trail
- Holmes County Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Mohican Valley Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Kokosing Gap Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Downtown Connector Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Heart of Ohio Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Meredith State Road Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Sandel Legacy Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Thomas W. Hopper Legacy Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Hoover Scenic Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Genoa Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Westerville B&W (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Alum Creek Greenway Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Downtown Connector Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Scioto Greenway Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Camp Chase Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Roberts Pass Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Prairie Grass Trail (Part of the Ohio to Erie Trail)
- Creekside Trail
- Mad River Trail
- Great Miami River Trail
- Wolf Creek Trail
Indiana
- Cardinal Greenway
- Sweetser Switch Trail
- Converse Junction Trail
- Nickel Plate Trail
- Monterey Erie Trail
- North Judson Erie Trail
- Veterans Memorial Trail
- Erie Lackawanna Trail
- Pennsy Greenway
Illinois
- Pennsy Greenway
- Thorn Creek Trail
- Old Plank Road Trail
- Illinois & Michigan Canal State Trail
- Hennepin Canal Parkway
- Beacon Harbor Parkway Trail
- Great River Trail
- Government/Arsenal Bridge
Iowa
- Government/Arsenal Bridge
- Mississippi River Trail/Riverfront Trail
- Running River Trail System
- Kent Stein to Deep Lakes Park Trail
- Hoover Nature Trail
- Cedar Valley Nature Trail
- Gilbert Drive Trail
- Evansdale Nature Trail
- River Forest Road Trail/Cedar River Levee Trail
- Cedar Valley Lakes Trail
- South Riverside Trail
- Cedar Prairie Trail
- Sergeant Road Trail
- Pioneer Trail
- River’s Edge Trail
- Linn Creek Recreational Trail
- Iowa 330/US 30 Trail
- Heart of Iowa Nature Trail
- High Trestle Trail
- Hiawatha Trail
- Raccoon River Valley Trail
- T-Bone Trail
- Northern Atlantic Trail System
- Railroad Highway Trail
- Valley View Trail
- Lake Manawa Trail
- Veterans Memorial Trail
- Western Historic Trails Center Link
- Iowa Riverfront Trail
- Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
Nebraska
- Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge
- Burt Street Trail
- Turner Boulevard Trail
- Field Club Trail
- South Omaha Trail
- Keystone Trail
- West Papio Trail
- Walnut Creek Lake Trail
- MoPac Trail (Springfield)
- Platte River Connection
- MoPac East Trail
- MoPac Trail West
- Antelope Valley Trail
- Salt Creek Levee Trail
- Oak Lake Connector Trail
- North 1st Street Trail
- Superior Street Trail
- Highlands Trail
- Oak Creek Trail
- Third Avenue Viaduct Trail
- Robert White Trail
- Bob Lake Trail
- Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail
- White River Trail
Wyoming
- Douglas Trail System
- Al's Way
- Casper Rail Trail
- Platte River Trail
- Greybull River Walk
- East Bighorn River Trail
- Beck Lake Park Bike Trail
Montana
- Highway 89 South Pedestrian Trail
- Livingston Depot Center Trail
- Bozeman to Bridger Mountains Trail/Path to the “M” and Drinking Horse
- Story Mill Spur
- Front Street Connector
- Oak Street Trail
- North 19th Avenue Trail
- Valley Center Trail
- Jackrabbit Lane Shared-Use Path
- Manhattan to the Gallatin River Trail
- Headwaters Trail System
- Milwaukee Road Rail-Trail (Thompson Park)
- Silver Bow Creek Greenway
- Arrow Stone Park Trail
- Old Yellowstone Trail
- Piltzville Trail
- Bonner Streetcar Trail
- Canyon River Trail
- Milwaukee Trail
- Mullan Road Trail
- A.J. Hoyt Memorial Trail
- Route of the Olympian
- NorPac Trail
Idaho
Washington
- Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail
- Snoqualmie Valley Trail
- Preston-Snoqualmie Trail
- Issaquah-Preston Trail
- East Lake Sammamish Trail
- Marymoor Connector Trail
- Sammamish River Trail
- Burke-Gilman Trail
- 34th Street Protected Bike Lane
- Fremont Bridge
- Ship Canal Trail
- Interbay Protected Bike Lane
- Elliot Bay Trail (Terminal 91 Bike Path)
- Seattle Waterfront Pathway
- Sound to Olympics Trail
- Olympic Discovery Trail
More than 145+ trails will host the Great American Rail-Trail. Protecting these trails through advocacy, volunteerism and donations is key to bringing the vision of the Great American to life.
Meet the Gateway Trails
In every state along the Great American Rail-Trail route, iconic trails make possible this grand vision of a nation connected by trails. These trails have been built through the hard work and ingenuity of the trails community—nonprofit partners, state agencies and volunteers who have rolled up their sleeves to protect and preserve these priceless corridors.
Here are the gateways to the Great American Rail-Trail from east to west:
Click a photo below to view the gallery.
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.
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.
