Trail Blog by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Mississippi's Longleaf Trace

Posted 08/01/10 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, Mississippi, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

If you're keen to needle your way across the Pine Belt, and to re-trace the path of industry and settlement in Mississippi, you won't find a more appropriate route than the 40.25-mile Longleaf Trace.

Peavine and Iron King Trails | Photo by Scott Ash

Arizona's Peavine and Iron King Trails

Posted 07/01/10 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Arizona, Best Of, Hall of Fame, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

The 5.2-mile Peavine Trail begins just south of Watson Lake at the gravel parking lot by the lush Watson Woods Riparian Preserve (just off Prescott Lakes Parkway). The preserve is teeming with green along the crushed stone and dirt trail. Through the trees you may even hear the rush of Granite Creek after a bout of rain.

South Dakota's George S. Mickelson Trail

Posted 05/01/10 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, South Dakota, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

What you'll also discover when sifting through this wilderness is another South Dakota gem: the 109-mile George S. Mickelson Trail, which winds a crushed-stone route south from Deadwood to Edgemont.

Little Miami Scenic Trail | Photo by Senor Bullkaka

Ohio's Little Miami Scenic Trail

Posted 12/01/09 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, Ohio, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Opened in 1997 and now running 78 miles from Springfield southwest to the outskirts of Cincinnati, the paved Little Miami Scenic Trail is now one of the most recognizable and well-integrated rail-trails in the country.

Pere Marquette Rail-Trail | Photo courtesy Isabella County Parks Staff

Michigan’s Pere Marquette Rail-Trail

Posted 10/01/09 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, Michigan, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Few pathways take more pride in upkeep and user experience than the 30-mile Pere Marquette Rail-Trail of Mid-Michigan, which runs from Midland to Clare. There's no pea under the mattress on this evenly paved trail, and visitors are always quick to point out what a pleasant ride the Pere Marquette provides.

East Bay Bicycle Path | Photo by Scott Stark

Rhode Island's East Bay Bicycle Path

Posted 09/01/09 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, Rhode Island, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Since Geoff Williams began working for Brown University in 2005, he pedals into downtown Providence, R.I., year-round on the 14-mile East Bay Bicycle Path (EBBP)—often stopping to snap photos on the way.

Silver Comet Trail | Photo by Seth Holladay

Georgia's Silver Comet Trail and Alabama's Chief Ladiga Trail

Posted 06/01/09 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Alabama, Best Of, Georgia, Hall of Fame, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

In September 2008, a celebration opened the State Line Gateway Park, finally joining the 61.5-mile Silver Comet Trail in Georgia and the 33-mile Chief Ladiga Trail in Alabama.

Indiana's Monon Trail

Posted 03/01/09 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, Indiana, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Running from Indy north through Carmel, Indiana's Monon Trail, 15.7-mile, follows part of the old Monon Railroad, which once provided a central route from Lake Michigan south to the Ohio River.

Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park | Photo by Scott Stark

Virginia's Washington & Old Dominion Railroad Regional Park

Posted 12/01/08 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Virginia

You'll find the eastern trailhead of the 44.8-mile Washington & Old Dominion (W&OD) Railroad Regional Park in Arlington, smack in the middle of northern Virginia's vibrant scene and only a few miles from downtown D.C.

Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail | Photo by TrailLink user anwary

California's Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail

Posted 11/01/08 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, California, Hall of Fame, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

You won't find better exposure to these changes than on the 25.4-mile Bizz Johnson National Recreation Trail, which carves through the Susan River Canyon between the communities of Susanville and Westwood.

Elroy-Sparta State Trail | Photo by Eric Reischl Photography

Wisconsin's Elroy-Sparta State Trail

Posted 09/01/08 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Wisconsin

Much is memorable about Wisconsin's 32-mile Elroy-Sparta State Trail, but visitors often leave especially chirpy about the pathway's three tunnels—and particularly the spontaneous chorus of singing and whistling that echoes through them on busy days.

Illinois Prairie Path | Photo by TrailLink user akbross

The Illinois Prairie Path

Posted 08/01/08 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, Illinois, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Nearly 45 years ago, when the word "rail-trail" hadn't yet entered the American vocabulary, a naturalist in Chicago took note of a branching network of out-of-service tracks in the city's western suburbs.

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