Great American Rail-Trail
Imagine a trail that
connects the country
A Trail That Connects the Country
Happy 5th Anniversary On The National Mall
![Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 12 states traversed and District of Columbia](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Great-American-Rail-Trail-2023-Infographic-12-states-traversed-and-District-of-Columbia.png)
![50 million people withiin 50 miles of the Great American Rail-Trail](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/50-million-people-withiin-50-miles-of-the-Great-American-Rail-Trail-1024x389.png)
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.
Latest from the Great American
View More Blogs![Warrior Expeditions bike ride to commemorate 5th anniversary of Great American Rail-Trail | Photo by Mariah Miranda Photography](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Group-bike-ride-with-Warrior-Expeditions-Photo-by-Mariah-Miranda-Photography-blog-800x442-c-default.jpg)
Five Years Of Progress On Great American Rail-Trail Elevates National Impact Of Active Transportation Infrastructure
![Eastern Continental Divide tunnel along the Great Allegheny Passage (gaptrail.org) | Photo courtesy Dave Majors](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Eastern-Continental-Divide-tunnel-along-the-Great-Allegheny-Passage_Photo-courtesy-Dave-Majors-800x442-c-default.jpg)
American Icon: The Great American Rail-Trail Is on Its Way to Fulfilling a Cross-Country Vision
![Panhandle Trail located in West Virginia and Pennsylvania | Photo by Milo Bateman](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/Panhandle-Trail-located-in-West-Virginia-and-Pennsylvania-Photo-by-Milo-Bateman-800x442-c-default.jpg)
How You Ride the Great American Rail-Trail
The Vision of the Great American
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.
Progress Of The Trail
![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](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/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-1024x416.png)
![Great American Rail-Trail 2024 Infographic - $148 million Public and private funds secured for Great American Rail-Trail segments since the route announcement in 2019](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Great-American-Rail-Trail-2024-Infographic-148-million-Public-and-private-funds-secured-for-Great-American-Rail-Trail-segments-since-the-route-announcement-in-2019.png)
![Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 160 miles trail mileage in development, nearly 6 percent of the remaining route](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Great-American-Rail-Trail-2023-Infographic-160-miles-trail-mileage-in-development-nearly-6-percent-of-the-remaining-route.png)
![Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 113 miles added to the route since May 2019](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Great-American-Rail-Trail-2023-Infographic-113-miles-added-to-the-route-since-May-2019.png)
![Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 3700 total miles and 2057 existing trail miles](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Great-American-Rail-Trail-2023-Infographic-3700-total-miles-and-2057-existing-trail-miles.png)
![Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - More than 55 percent complete](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Great-American-Rail-Trail-2023-Infographic-More-than-55-percent-complete.png)
![Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 150 existing trails hosting route and 80 trail gaps](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Great-American-Rail-Trail-2023-Infographic-150-existing-trails-hosting-route-and-80-trail-gaps.png)
![Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 229.4 million in visitor spending](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Great-American-Rail-Trail-2023-Infographic-229.4-million-in-visitor-spending.png)
![Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 2500 new jobs](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Great-American-Rail-Trail-2023-Infographic-2500-new-jobs.png)
![Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 22.8 million in new tax revenue](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Great-American-Rail-Trail-2023-Infographic-22.8-million-in-new-tax-revenue.png)
![Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 25.6 million trips](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/03/Great-American-Rail-Trail-2023-Infographic-25.6-million-trips.png)
Prepare For The Cross-Country Experience
View More Blogs![Kara Patajo @YourNorthWestieBestie on the Olympic Discovery Trail | Photo courtesy Kara Patajo](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/Kara-Patajo-@YourNorthWestieBestie-on-the-Olympic-Discovery-Trail-Photo-courtesy-Kara-Patajo--800x442-c-default.jpg)
Gearing Up for a Cross-Country Trail Trek Webinar
![Washington's Iron Horse Inn Bed and Breakfast is located adjacent to the Cle Elum Depot along the Great American Rail-Trail | Photo courtesy Iron Horse Inn Bed and Breakfast](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Washington_Iron-Horse-Inn-Bed-and-Breakfast_Cle-Elum-Depot_Courtesy-Iron-Horse-Inn-Bed-and-Breakfast-800x442-c-default.jpg)
10 Unique Lodgings Along the Great American Rail-Trail
![National Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming | Photo by Amy Kapp](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/National-Trails-Interpretive-Center-in-Casper-Wyoming-Photo-by-Amy-Kapp--800x442-c-default.jpg)
10 Great Places of Learning Along the Great American Rail-Trail
Discovering America: Reconnecting People and Places
The Great American 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](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Great-American-Rail-Trail-branded-map-2022-by-RTC-1024x628.jpeg)
Preferred Route
Shop Great American Gear
![Great American Rail-Trail gear promo | Photo by Albert Ting and graphic by RTC](https://www.railstotrails.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/Great-American-Rail-Trail-gear-promo-Photo-by-Albert-Ting-and-graphic-by-RTC-1024x576.jpg)
Shop Great American Rail-Trail gear including a jersey, t-shirt, socks and gaiter to celebrate the trail connecting the country.