Rails to Trails Magazine
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Rails to Trails magazine is dedicated to exploring America’s remarkable rail-trails and trail networks, with a focus on the impact they have in communities nationwide. Published quarterly—three times per year in print plus one all-multimedia edition—the magazine is a benefit of membership to Rails to Trails Conservancy. Subscribe now to get great trail content while supporting RTC and the trails movement.
Subscribe to the Magazine
Rails to Trails magazine is a benefit of membership to Rails to Trails Conservancy, which is $18 a year, $4 of which supports the magazine. In addition to the magazine, members receive discounts on RTC gifts and publications.
Preview Latest Issue
In This Issue:
Take a look at transformative trail networks nationwide and how federal funding is critical to ensure their benefits—from economic development to safety, health and mobility—are fully realized.
Follow #TeamRTC staff as they explore and highlight their favorite trailside spots across the country as well as some close-to-home iconic eats.
Learn about Jeffrey McElfresh’s inspiring 10-day journey from Pittsburgh to Cincinnati. On the trail, Jeffrey, who has Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease, learns a lot about the region and about himself.
Get a photographic glance of Utah’s Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park and a sneak peek of RTC’s upcoming 2026 guidebook featuring highlights of the Great American Rail-Trail®.
In the official kickoff to RTC’s 2025 national Hall of Fame contest, get to know the three stellar nominees—Florida’s East Central Regional Rail Trail, Utah’s Murdock Canal Trail and Kansas’ Flint Hills Trail State Park—and cast your vote!
And much more!
Read More Magazine Stories
View More Blogs
Great American Rail-Trail Guidebook Sneak Peek
Destination: Utah’s Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park
Indiana Bicycling Advocate Robert Ordway on Trails, Safety and Quality of Life
The Big Burn: Exploring the Great Fire of 1910 in Idaho and Montana
The Great Connector: How West Virginia’s Greenbrier River Trail Is Fostering Recreation and Revitalization in the Allegheny Highlands
BEST Of: Cultural Walking and Biking Hubs in European Capitals
Digital Feature Videos
In the all-multimedia Green Issue, Rails to Trails magazine takes a closer look at the leadership, public investment and community collaboration that is fueling efforts to create and connect trails—and bring this essential infrastructure to communities that have long been disinvested and under-resourced.
A Bold Vision: Prioritizing a Safer, Connected America
As the U.S. Department of Transportation and Congress threaten to claw back billions of dollars in federal funds for trails, walking and bicycling in 2025, communities across America remain at risk of being negatively impacted. Here, we take a look at several transformative trail network projects that are being developed in Alabama, Missouri, Washington, South Carolina, Alaska and Pennsylvania with federal funds—understanding what’s at stake for people, communities and regions throughout the United States.
Featuring: Brandi Horton, Rails to Trails Conservancy; Rusha Smith, Freshwater Land Trust; Dr. David Hicks, Jefferson County Department of Health; Bruce Sassman, Missouri House of Representatives; Shannon Grus, Mayor of Rosebud; Davíd Urbina, Leafline Trails Coalition; Leslie Schneider, Councilperson, City of Bainbridge Island; Katherine Hollis, Eastrail Partners; Dick Traini, Anchorage Municipal Assembly; Knox White, Mayor of Greenville; Sarah Clark Stuart, City of Philadelphia
Special thanks to DS Simon Media | Produced by Rails to Trails magazine
Favorites and Icons: Trailside Eats Across America
One of the many reasons we love trails here at Rails to Trails magazine is because they connect us to so many wonderful places to converge with friends and family members—and eat great food! What better way to enjoy our favorite neighborhood bites or those “gotta have one” classic eats? In this video, some of our fellow awesome staff at #TeamRTC highlight some of their favorite foods and a few iconic classics you’ll find out on the trail! It’s trail tourism and economic impact at its best!
Don’t miss the article that inspired these trailside food adventures, “A Taste of the Great American Rail-Trail.”
Featuring: RTC’s Eric Oberg, Iman Sylvain, Kayla Walker, Jacque Lavelle, Cas Marburger, Danielle Casavant, Jorge Brito, Quinton Batts, Anthony Le and Ken Bryan, as well as family members, friends, and business managers and owners across the country!
Highlights: Peanut Farm/Campbell Creek Trail (Alaska); Headlands Brewing/Ohlone Greenway (California); Keeper Coffee/Trolley Trail (Oregon); Porkchop John’s/Blacktail Creek Trail (Montana); Schoop’s/Pennsy Greenway (Indiana); Country Dairy/Hart-Montague Trail (Michigan); Shank’s/Delaware River Trail (Pennsylvania); Nick’s Fish House/Gwynns Falls Trail (Maryland); Sarah’s Handmade/Capital Crescent Trail (D.C./Maryland); Ferg’s Sports Bar/Pinellas Trail (Florida)
Produced by Rails to Trails magazine
Energizing a Region: Missouri’s Rock Island Trail State Park
The people of Missouri are leading the charge for the Rock Island Trail State Park, anticipating the incredible impact the trail, when realized, could have along the 144-mile corridor. This video shines a light on how the communities are making it happen, with a goal to revitalize towns, spur new business and commerce, create safe off-road routes to destinations in dozens of towns along the route, and establish a new statewide tourism identity.
Read more about the Rock Island Trail State Park project in our online feature.
Featuring:
Rep. Bruce Sassmann, Missouri House of Representatives, 62nd District; Mayor Shannon Grus, City of Rosebud; Kim Henderson, Friends of Rock Island Trail State Park; Cary Parker, Gerald City Council/Bistro at the Mill; Jimmy Zumwalt, Mid-State Pipeline Maintenance/City of Belle
Produced by Rails to Trails magazine and DS Simon Media
Photo Essays
View More Blogs Great American Rail-Trail Guidebook Sneak Peek
Destination: Utah’s Historic Union Pacific Rail Trail State Park
A View From … Pacific Northwest Guidebook Sneak Peek
Destination: Washington State’s Spokane River Centennial State Park Trail
Destination: Utah’s Moab Canyon Pathway and Arches National Park
A View From: Kansas City’s Riverfront Heritage Trail
Subscribe to the Magazine
Rails to Trails magazine is a benefit of membership to Rails to Trails Conservancy, which is $18 a year, $4 of which supports the magazine. In addition to the magazine, members receive discounts on RTC gifts and publications.
Past Magazine Issues
View digital versions of past issues below or contact us for back issues.
We Want to Hear From You!
Our members always have plenty to say (and write) about Rails to Trails—and we’re always eager to hear it! If you enjoyed or have comments on a recent issue of the magazine, please submit a short letter to our editor. If we can—we’ll print it in the next edition! You can also contact us for former issues and articles of Rails to Trails not listed in the archive. Don’t forget to check out our TrailBlog for more stories.