Webinar – Preparing for Successful Trail-based Tourism
Trails are an important contributor to the growing outdoor recreation economy, and a powerful asset that attracts people seeking outdoor-oriented destinations. Across the country, trail-based tourism presents incredible opportunities for communities of all sizes.
During this webinar, we talk with community leaders from the Ecusta Trail in North Carolina, and the Cowboy Trail (Nebraska) along the route of the Great American Rail-Trail. The webinar also provides an overview of RTC’s new Trail Tourism Toolkit, representing a range of experiences and stages of trail tourism development. The toolkit is a practical resource designed to support communities as they prepare to welcome trail users and develop the amenities, partnerships and visitor services that support successful trail tourism. Together, we share lessons learned and replicable best practices for others to implement across the country.
Whether a community’s trail segment is still in development or already well-loved by residents, places can take steps to strengthen tourism readiness and capture the economic and social benefits that trails offer.
SPEAKERS
- Laura Rice – Executive Director, Friends of the Ecusta Trail
- Michelle Owen – Executive Director, Henderson County Tourism Development Authority
- Cait Dumas-Hein – Associate Director, Bike-Walk Nebraska
- Hannah Jones – Planning & Development Administrator, Nebraska Game and Parks Commission
- Kevin Belle – Project Director of Great American Rail Trail, RTC
- Liz Thorstensen – Vice President of Trail Development, RTC
Related Links
Explore the Trail Tourism Toolkit: https://www.railstotrails.org/trail-building-toolbox/trail-tourism-toolkit/
Start here: How to use the toolkit: https://www.railstotrails.org/trail-building-toolbox/trail-tourism-toolkit/how-to-use-the-toolkit
Read more about the Trail Tourism Readiness Assessment: https://www.railstotrails.org/trail-building-toolbox/trail-tourism-toolkit/how-to-use-the-toolkit/#assessment
And here’s a direct link to the assessment itself: https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/08/TrailTourism_Print_SelfAssessment_8.24.pdf
Economic Potential of the Great American Rail Trail study: https://www.railstotrails.org/resource-library/resources/economic-potential-of-the-great-american-rail-trail-report/
Learn more about the Ecusta Trail: https://www.ecustatrail.org/
Explore the interactive trail map: https://www.ecustatrail.org/trail-map/
Who are the Ecusta trail partners? https://www.hendersoncountync.gov/greenway-network/page/ecusta-trail-partners
Ecusta Trail was the May 2026 Trail of the Month: https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/north-carolinas-ecusta-trail-may-2026-trail-of-the-month/
Watch interviews with the business owners along the Ecusta Trail in RTC magazine’s Green Issue: https://www.railstotrails.org/magazine/green-issue-2026/#headline-H3_7
Henderson County Tourism Development Authority: https://visithendersonvillenc.org/
Learn more about the Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail: https://outdoornebraska.gov/parks/explore-trails/hiking-biking/cowboy-trail/
A Nebraska Legacy: Examining the Cowboy Trail’s Impact Across Three Decades –https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/a-nebraska-legacy-examining-the-cowboy-trails-impact-across-three-decades/
RTC’s TrailNation Collaborative, Trail Development and Policy teams produce a free webinar series designed to help trail professionals build, grow, manage, maintain, promote or otherwise support trails and trail networks. Sign up here to get webinar alerts.
Have a comment or question on our webinar series? Contact us below with topic or speaker ideas. We appreciate your feedback! Email us.
Donate
Everyone deserves access to safe ways to walk, bike, and be active outdoors.
Related
View All ResourcesWebinar – Bay Area Trails Collaborative Trail Talk — Beyond Cost Per Mile: Understanding Trail Costs
Great American Rail-Trail Route Assessment 2026
