TrailBlog

Highlights of Our National Water Trails System

Posted 06/13/22 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Arizona, Featured Magazine Articles, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Washington, West Virginia, Wild and Wonderful

Washington's Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail | Photo courtesy Visit Kitsap

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the National Water Trails System, which recognizes exemplary water routes that increase access to outdoor recreation for health and wellness, promote tourism and economic development, and encourage the stewardship and protection of America’s vital rivers and waterways.

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Washington's Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail | Photo courtesy Visit Kitsap

Highlights of Our National Water Trails System

Posted 06/13/22 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Arizona, Featured Magazine Articles, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Missouri, Nevada, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Oregon, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Washington, West Virginia, Wild and Wonderful

This year marks the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the National Water Trails System, which recognizes exemplary water routes that increase access to outdoor recreation for health and wellness, promote tourism and economic development, and encourage the stewardship and protection of America’s vital rivers and waterways.

Idaho's Weiser River Trail | Photo by Mike Beavers

Idaho’s Weiser River National Recreation Trail

Posted 06/13/22 by Amy Grisak in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Idaho, Local Organizing, Maintenance and Volunteers, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

When someone says “Idaho,” most people think of potatoes, but the Weiser River National Recreation Trail demonstrates there is so much more to the landscape and the people. Traveling 84 miles—from forested terrain through canyons and onto the high prairie in the west-central part of the state—there is an ever-changing beauty that evokes an appreciation of the region and the forward-thinking individuals who sought to preserve the corridor.

Washington's Coal Creek Trail | Photo by Art Segal

Trail Moments | An Everlasting Love of Trails in the Evergreen State

Posted 06/13/22 by Art Segal in America's Trails | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Washington, Why Use Trails?

I enjoy various types of trails, from easy and fairly level to more challenging—steeper with large tree roots and rocks—depending on how I feel on a given day, or the season and purpose of our outing. I love all kinds of trails, and my favorites range from deep forest and lakes to high mountain passes with spectacular views—such as Mt. Rainier in Washington State.

Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail | Courtesy of Chelsea Murphy

Trail Moments | A Conversation With Chelsea Murphy of She Colors Nature

Posted 06/10/22 by Chelsea Murphy in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, Great American Rail-Trail, Health and Active Living, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Washington, Why Use Trails?

Recently, we were able to sit down with Chelsea Murphy to talk about her Trail Moments. Chelsea is a self-proclaimed “adventure mom,” who simply loves getting outdoors and inspiring others to do the same through sharing her experiences on She Colors Nature and building a welcoming community.

Wendy Park Bridge along the Cleveland Foundation Centennial Lake Link Trail | Photo by Jason Cohn

Bridge to Everywhere: Examining Signature Gateways Across America

Posted 06/09/22 by Cory Matteson in America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, Best Of, Connected Systems, Featured Magazine Articles, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Trail Destinations, TrailNation

Across the United States, bridges are serving as the hallmarks, gateways and centerpieces of communities, providing connectivity that has a major impact on active transportation, tourism and economic development. Plus—there’s the view. Here, Rails to Trails spans the country to examine how bridges are transforming trails and regions.

Courtesy Getty Images

No Car, No Problem: Connecting Car-less Americans to Opportunities

Posted 06/09/22 by Kevin Mills in Building Trails, Policy | Tagged with Federal, Funding, Mode Shift, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Many federal transportation policies and programs could help redesign communities to work better for walking, biking and transit. One standout opportunity is to “flex” Federal highway funds—such as Surface Transportation Program Block Grants—to transit for purposes of addressing last-mile connectivity to public transportation. Such transfers are attractive because tapping into flexible highway funding can accelerate efforts to meet growing needs for safe places to walk and bike while increasing use of transit services.

Bob Kerrey Pedestrian Bridge connecting Council Bluffs, Iowa, and Omaha, Nebraska | Photo by Matthew Nissen

20 Iconic Bike and Pedestrian Bridges in America

Posted 06/08/22 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Circuit Trails, Connected Systems, Florida, Great American Rail-Trail, IHTC, Illinois, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Top10, Trail Destinations, TrailNation, Washington

Across the country, bridges are literally serving as gateways for communities to achieve critical strides in active transportation, conservation and economic development. Here, we take a look at 20 iconic bridges and trestles in the United States (in no particular order) that have played—or are playing—transformative connectivity roles in their regions.

Northern Cheyenne Monument | Courtesy Northern Cheyenne Journey Home Committee

A Path Toward Healing

Posted 06/03/22 by Scott Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Featured Magazine Articles, Great American Rail-Trail, History Happened Here, Local Organizing

Until recently, the term generally preferred was the Northern Cheyenne Breakout, but just as the monument represents a better understanding of the events, so too does what it’s called. The Northern Cheyenne’s Tribal Council voted recently to change the name of their group focused on these events to the Northern Cheyenne Journey Home Committee. “It is a more accurate reflection of our ancestors' decision that day,” said Major Robinson, “which wasn't just to break out—it was to journey home, or die fighting to get there.”

Keith Russell leading a bird walk at Philadelphia's Discovery Center | Photo by Gregory Walker

Trail Moments | By Sight & Sound: Tips for Birding Beginners

Posted 05/30/22 by Keith Russell in Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, How-to, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?, Wild and Wonderful

I love birding for many reasons. In addition to exposing us to the wonder and beauty of birds and the natural world, birding can help us become better listeners and observers, as well as more careful and detailed thinkers.

New Jersey's Henry Hudson Trail | Photo by Avery Harmon

Trail Moments | Safe Trails Save Lives

Posted 05/17/22 by Stephen Dunn in America's Trails, Taking Action | Tagged with Repairs and Trail Safety, Demand for Trails, Local Organizing, New Jersey, Trail Moments, Transportation Alternatives, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

In New Jersey, where I live, 82% of fatalities are on state, county and municipal roads. A disproportionate number of these deaths are pedestrians or cyclists, and members of vulnerable populations.

Kentucky's Dawkins Line Rail Trail | Photo by Tamara Hicks

Kentucky’s Dawkins Line Rail Trail

Posted 05/13/22 by Austyn Gaffney in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Federal, Kentucky, Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail of the Month

The Dawkins Line Rail Trail is Kentucky’s longest rail-trail. The 36-mile crushed-stone path is now open to bicyclists, hikers and horseback riders; a short, paved portion is also available in Royalton. The trail takes visitors on a journey back in time as they wind through the bright green Appalachian forests of Breathitt, Johnson and Magoffin counties.