RTC and its partners have defined the preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail as more than 3,700 miles—with approximately 2,057 miles of existing trails (trails along the route that are built and maintained by dedicated teams of local staff and volunteers) and 1,696 miles of identified trail gaps.

Users of the 51-mile Bitterroot Trail can sometimes forget to look past the road traffic and noise to fully appreciate the surrounding area bursting with history and natural beauty.

RTC embarked on a 12-month assessment of route options using its GIS database of more than 34,000 miles of existing trails nationwide.

Wellness happens step-by-step in Missoula, Montana. Instead of relying solely on the prescription pad, more of Missoula’s health-care community is recommending movement on Missoula’s Rx Trails to improve everything from back pain to depression.

RTC talked to several long-distance bicyclists who have taken on the Great American Rail trail alread.

Montana trails with roughly 30-million acres of state and federal lands take you through rolling grasslands and bucolic farmland, and past peaceful waterways.

This report, Great American Rail-Trail Route Assessment, was originally published by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) in May 2019. This updated version was published in May 2021.

RTC has announced the recipients of its 2021 Trail Grants Program, awarding a total of $145,000 to support 11 trail projects across the country.