Trail Use

Celebrate Trails Day 2021: Big Celebration—Nationwide Impact

Posted 05/12/21 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with CelebrateTrailsDay, Local Organizing, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Screenshot of Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails' groundbreaking of a community mural project along Roberts Pass and Prairie Grass Trail

On April 24, 2021, we invited people and partners across the country to join us outside for Celebrate Trails Day. Thousands of people banded together to celebrate and show appreciation for these essential spaces by spending more than 139,000 minutes being physically active outside!

Full Story
Screenshot of Friends of Madison County Parks and Trails' groundbreaking of a community mural project along Roberts Pass and Prairie Grass Trail

Celebrate Trails Day 2021: Big Celebration—Nationwide Impact

Posted 05/12/21 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with CelebrateTrailsDay, Local Organizing, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

On April 24, 2021, we invited people and partners across the country to join us outside for Celebrate Trails Day. Thousands of people banded together to celebrate and show appreciation for these essential spaces by spending more than 139,000 minutes being physically active outside!

The stunning 22-mile NorPac trail in Idaho and Montana, is a host trail of the 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail. | Photo by TrailLink user cstineyb

Great American Rail-Trail: Long-Distance Adventures

Posted 05/07/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Biking, Great American Rail-Trail, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Tourism , Trail Destinations

During the COVID-19 pandemic, bicycle purchases have surged, and trail use around the country has seen a sustained uptick of more than 50% over previous years. Being outside has helped millions to cope, buoying support—and demand for—projects like the developing 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail, the nation’s first cross-country multiuse trail. Here are just a few of the long-distance outdoor adventures to be found along this unique and vital route between Washington State and Washington, D.C.

Washington's Olympic Discovery Trail | Photo by John Gussman

What’s It Like to Ride the Great American Rail-Trail? Just Ask These Trail Trekkers.

Posted 05/07/21 by Cory Matteson in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Great American Rail-Trail, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

To commemorate the anniversary of the launch of the Great American, RTC talked to several long-distance bicyclists who have taken on the trail already—or are about to—to learn about their experiences so far, and why they’re tackling it the way they are.

Dan, Michaela and Saul Brownstein, with their dog Rufus, on the Elephant Swamp Trail in New Jersey | Photo courtesy Dan Brownsteins

Adapting Trail Trips for a Hiker With a Disability: A Family’s Advice

Posted 04/15/21 by Dan Brownstein in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, How-to, Mapping and Technology, People with Disabilities, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

Saul is 22 and has Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. He has needed to use a power wheelchair full time since about age 14, but that has not stopped him from exploring the outdoors. Saul has traveled to 42 states and several foreign countries. He has skied, surfed and skated using adapted equipment for his disability. To that end, we’ve put together a few tips for those who may have a disability or a mobility challenge, and want to get out on the trail.

Ian Mackay on Olympic Discovery Trail | Photo by Jesse Major

Five Trail Moments with Ian Mackay, Founder of Ian's Ride

Posted 04/13/21 by Ian Mackay in Trail Use, Health and Wellness, America's Trails | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, People with Disabilities, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Washington, Why Use Trails?

I was able to retain my happiness and sanity during this difficult year by getting outside. My preferred venue: The Olympic Discovery Trail. Here are 5 #TrailMoments that were particularly special for me during the 2020 year.

Graphic by RTC

Celebrate Trails Day: Ideas and Resources for Trail Fun

Posted 04/13/21 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use | Tagged with CelebrateTrailsDay, Encouraging Trail Use, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

This national day—“Celebrate Trails Day”—is a chance for people from coast to coast to enjoy the tens of thousands of miles of trails that connect the country. With that in mind, our team developed a list of suggestions that could help anyone have a fun time on the trail on Celebrate Trails Day and beyond!

Fun Run 5k on the W&OD Trail in Northern Virginia | Courtesy RTC

How to Train for a 5K or 10K Using Rail-Trails

Posted 04/05/21 by Emilia Benton in Health and Wellness, Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Rail-trails are an especially great option for training for that first race for a variety of reasons. For one thing, many of these trails are paved, flat or with a very light grade. They’re free to use, often close to home and easily accessible, making them an excellent option for anyone who loves to be outdoors.

Spring to Spring Trail | Courtesy Pat Northey

Florida’s Spring to Spring Trail

Posted 03/16/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Florida, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

The Sunshine State’s Spring to Spring Trail doesn’t hide any tricks up its sleeve; as its name implies, travelers will see several natural springs along this scenic, nearly complete 26-mile route winding through the old-growth forests and tree-draped lakesides of Central Florida.

Photo courtesy Jeff Jenkins, graphic by RTC

Trail Moments with Jeff Jenkins of Chubby Diaries

Posted 03/01/21 by Jeff Jenkins in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

Jeff Jenkins, as a prolific travel-blogger and the creator of Chubby Diaries—an “online community for plus-size travelers who are passionate about seeing the world, experiencing new foods and learning clever hacks along the way”—shares his Trail Moment.

Portneuf Greenway through the Edson Fichter Nature Area | Photo by Charles R. Peterson

Idaho’s Portneuf Greenway

Posted 02/11/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Idaho, Tourism , Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

With a rugged Rocky Mountain landscape and more than 20 million acres of national forest land, Idaho is known for its boundless recreational opportunities. Here, in the southeastern corner of the Gem State, lies a diamond in the rough: the Portneuf Greenway, a developing trail system that aims to connect the entire Portneuf River valley, including Pocatello and neighboring Chubbuck.

Ashokan Rail Trail | Photo by Maxanne Resnick, courtesy Woodstock Land Conservancy

As Trail Use Spikes, Communities Seek Solutions for Safe Use This Winter

Posted 02/08/21 by Cory Matteson in Trail Use | Tagged with Gear, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Winter Uses

This winter did not slow down traffic on the trail. That’s a trend that trail managers and association members are experiencing in many cold weather regions this winter, and one that they’ve embraced with targeted safety and etiquette messaging for the newcomers and tried-and-true efforts to keep shared-use trails welcoming to a wide variety of users in winter months.

Photo by Karen Beck, courtesy of Muddy Paw Sled Dog Kennel, graphic courtesy RTC

These #TrailMoments Stories Will Warm Your Heart In Winter

Posted 02/05/21 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

Whether leaves or snow were falling on the ground, the RTC team has been incredibly moved by how many people have shared their experiences and stories from the trail—their #TrailMoments—over the last few months. Here are some stories that will warm your heart in Winter.