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Trail Use

View of Lake Mead along the River Mountains Loop Trail | Photo by John Holman

Nevada’s River Mountains Loop Trail

Posted 05/05/23 by Stephanie Forté in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Local Organizing, Maintenance and Volunteers, Nevada, Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

A few miles into the 12-foot-wide trail, towering snowcapped Spring Mountains to the northwest dwarf the Vegas Strip’s cityscape. Since 2012, it’s been a destination for locals and visitors—cyclists, runners, inline skaters and walkers. There’s even a 15-mile parallel equestrian trail.

Celebrate Trails Day 2023 in Columbus, OH | Photo courtesy RTC

Celebrate Trails Day 2023: Showcasing the Impact of America's Trails

Posted 05/04/23 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use | Tagged with CelebrateTrailsDay, Encouraging Trail Use, Trail Communities

Over its 10 years, this celebration has been powerful—and 2023 was no exception! Our many thanks to the at least 13,000 people who participated, our more than 220 partners and this year’s supporting organizations who made Celebrate Trails Day so special this year.

Photo by Stephen Matera

Exploring America's E-Bike Evolution

Posted 05/04/23 by Scott Stark in Trail Use | Tagged with ebike, Encouraging Trail Use, Featured Magazine Articles, Gear, Why Use Trails?

E-bikes have gained a solid foothold since emerging in the biking world over the past two decades, and their increased usage has sparked interest and questions in the trail community. This article examines the current policies and recommendations on e-bikes, the perceptions and concerns around them, and their potential benefits.•

Quinn Brett | Photo by Jimmy McAllan

Trail Moments | Adventure for All: Advocating for Accessible Outdoor Spaces

Posted 05/04/23 by Laura Stark in Trail Use | Tagged with ebike, Encouraging Trail Use, Featured Magazine Articles, Gear, People with Disabilities, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

People with disabilities also like a spectrum of experiences and—especially with all this new technology—are capable of a wide variety.

Community Painting Day with artist Jay Coreano along Pennsylvania's Tacony Creek Trail | Photo courtesy Tookany-Tacony-Frankford Watershed Partnership, Inc

Six Ways to Be a Good Steward on Celebrate Trails Day (and Every Day)

Posted 04/10/23 by Amy Kapp in Trail Use | Tagged with CelebrateTrailsDay, Ecology and Environment, Encouraging Trail Use, Maintenance and Volunteers, Trail Use Tips

Below are just a few ways you can participate on Celebrate Trails Day while showing a little love to your community and the planet.

Exploring the Ohio to Erie Trail via skateboard | Photo courtesy Raveena Adams

Trail Moments | Long-Distance Skater Raveena Adams Crosses Ohio

Posted 04/10/23 by Raveena Adams in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Ohio, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Why Use Trails?

On Sept. 22, 2020, I started my four-day, 300-mile skate journey. The route took me through many cities, such as Cleveland, Columbus and Cincinnati, as well as rural forest areas and cornfields. Although I faced a lot of obstacles along the way, the weather was generally perfect—warm days feeling that dimming autumn sun.

Wisconsin's Ozaukee Interurban Trail in Cedarburg | Photo courtesy Ozaukee County Planning and Parks Department

Wisconsin’s Ozaukee Interurban Trail

Posted 04/07/23 by Shelby Deering in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Funding, History Happened Here, Route of the Badger, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, TrailNation, Transportation Alternatives, Wild and Wonderful, Wisconsin

This is the Ozaukee Interurban Trail, a paved, 30-mile route flanking the Milwaukee River and Lake Michigan through the northern suburbs of Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Patrick Sweeney on adaptive trike | Photo courtesy Patrick Sweeney

Finding Freedom on Your Bike as an Adaptive Cyclist

Posted 03/27/23 by Patrick Sweeney in Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, People with Disabilities, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

My name is Patrick, and I am an adaptive cyclist. That means I cycle, but I do it on a type of bike that works with my disability. I have left-sided hemiparesis. That means my movement, balance and vision are impaired on my left side. But, my hemiparesis doesn’t stop me from cycling. Adaptive cycling is a great sport for people with disabilities, because it brings a sense of freedom.

Joe Rebar and Carol Walter on the trail | Photo courtesy Joe Rebar

Trail Moments | Biking Through Triumphs and Troubles

Posted 03/15/23 by Laura Stark in Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Health and Active Living, People with Disabilities, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

“I only go on rail-trails now,” Carol said. “They make me feel safer because I don’t have to be watching for cars and traffic. And I can’t go very fast—I have to go slow so that I can see.”

Iowa's High Trestle Trail overlook | Photo by Kyle Neuendorf, courtesy Boone County Conservation Department

Wildlife Viewing Along the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 03/14/23 by Shelby Deering in Trail Use | Tagged with Great American Rail-Trail, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?, Wild and Wonderful

Beautiful scenery and connections with nature are almost guaranteed when you spend time on a trail, and the experience can be even richer when you spot local wildlife along the way.

Montana's Bitterroot Trail | Photo by Robert Annis

Big Bike Country: Experiencing Montana’s Bitterroot and Milwaukee Trails

Posted 03/14/23 by Robert Annis in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Connected Systems, Great American Rail-Trail, Montana, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Use Tips

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.

On the Appalachian Trail in 2021 | Photo courtesy Retha Charette

Hiking Hacks: Long-Distance Prep Tips and Tricks for Rail-Trails 101

Posted 02/14/23 by Retha Charette in Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

A long-distance hike can truly be the adventure of a lifetime. With rail-trail thru hiking becoming more and more popular every day, I wanted to share some knowledge I’ve learn over the many years and thousands of miles I’ve spent on hiking and rail-trails about the world.

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Most Popular

1. Exploring America's E-Bike Evolution (05/04/23)


2. Hiking Hacks: Long-Distance Prep Tips and Tricks for Rail-Trails 101 (02/14/23)


3. Of History and Industry: The Legacy of the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail (03/14/23)


4. Seven Sensational New Rail-Trails to Celebrate in 2022 (12/21/22)

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