The Joy of Celebrating Trails Day 2024
We know that when you’re on the trail, it’s so much more than a day outside.
It might be your path to the playground with the kiddos. Or training for your best 5K yet. It could be the setting for your date-night stroll. Or the route you take to skip car traffic on your way to the office. It may also be your escape for unwinding and unplugging in nature. Or the place where you go to get involved in your community or how you get to your favorite local ice cream shop. It could be all of these moments and many more.
Across the country, in every type of community, we see the joy and impact trails bring to people, places and the planet—and we’ve long believed that’s something to celebrate and share. Unfortunately, not everyone has access to safe spaces where they can walk, bike and be active outside right in their neighborhoods. Not yet, anyway.
“I see more than a day outside. I see myself connecting with nature and feeling at ease. I feel my body getting stronger and reaching new goals. And I will continue to take up space outside especially on trails and bring others along with me!”
That’s why, every spring since 2013, we’ve encouraged people to join us outside for a single-day celebration of America’s trails, creating a national spotlight that brings visibility to the benefits of trails and the opportunity to expand them in more places.
Celebrate Trails Day 2024 fell on Saturday, April 27, and it was extraordinary. People celebrated the day on trails in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico. Around the country, our partners planned more than 240 celebrations, which invited people to join group bike rides, walks, runs, community festivals, cleanups and stewardship opportunities, and explore their local trail projects and networks.
Celebrate Trails Day highlighted the meaningful influence that even one day on the trail can have on our lives, as well as underscored the value of having safe, connected outdoor spaces in communities where people can exercise and get around their communities without a car. This year, people reported spending an average of 102 active minutes outside on the day of the celebration, approximately 30% more time than on a typical day.
“Trails have helped me enjoy nature while also getting some exercise outside of the gym. It motivates me to be more active when there are trails around my home, and [I] would, in the future like, to bike or walk to get to them rather than taking a car.”
– 2024 Celebrate Trails Day survey respondent
According to the CDC, only about 1 in 4 adults meets the physical activity guidelines, which recommend at least 150 minutes per week of moderate-intensity physical activity, such as walking or biking. Access to trails and connected active transportation routes, as well as events and programming in these spaces, can help inspire more physical activity in our daily lives.
“Hermoso, ya que ayuda a mantener mi salud mental y compartir tiempo con mis amistades y familia.”
– 2024 Celebrate Trails Day survey respondent
In addition to the physical health benefits, 96% of participants shared that using trails makes a difference for their mental health and well-being.
“We see more than a day outside. We see appreciation for nature fueling a future where more people access clean, safe outdoor spaces through conservation and restoration. And we say cheers to it (with a refreshing brew in hand).”
– Athletic Brewing Company, the 2024 Premier Sponsor of Celebrate Trails Day.
Thanks to everyone who participated, our partners and the Celebrate Trails Day supporting organizations—with a special thank you to Athletic Brewing Company, the premier sponsor—the 2024 celebration was one of the biggest and best celebrations yet.
By coming together to celebrate the more than 41,000 miles of multiuse trails and 150-plus trail networks across the country, it shows support for these spaces and helps elected leaders see the demand for and benefit of having trails in every community.
“…[It’s] [n]ice to see the many organizations collaborating to make outdoor spaces accessible for multiple interests. … Makes it easy to try something new.”
– 2024 Celebrate Trails Day survey respondent
We’ve spotlighted below some of our favorite memories from this year’s celebration, but we hope you’ll continue to lift up the many ways trails and active transportation networks deliver moments of joy to our lives, and create ripples of impact in our communities-all while helping to build support for these special spaces and the outdoors!
Want to share your adventures and celebrations from the trail—and inspire others to get active outside? Visit RTC’s trail-finder database, TrailLink.com, and upload photos and reviews from the trail. You’ll help other people discover great trails and bucket list destinations!
Special thank you again to our 2024 Celebrate Trails Day premier sponsor, Athletic Brewing Company, and the other organizations that help make this nationwide observance possible.
2024 Premier Sponsor
2024 Sponsors + Supporters
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Everyone deserves access to safe ways to walk, bike, and be active outdoors.
