Idaho

Top 10 Trails in Idaho

Posted 07/06/21 by Mary Terra-Berns in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Idaho, Top10, Trail Destinations

Idaho's Route of the Hiawatha | Photo courtesy Kenneth Baker

From the forested and lake-laden north to the Snake River plain in the south, Idaho offers a variety of exceptional trails for walking, jogging, bicycling, trailside fishing, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing. Urban, rural, or a bit on the wild side, Idaho has trails that are as diverse as the state’s topography. Here are a few of our favorites. Especially notable is the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, a key part of the Great American Rail-Trail™, a signature project of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy that crosses the United States from Washington D.C. to the state of Washington. The 3,700-mile route will connect people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails traveling through natural environments, and linking cultural and historical resources.

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Idaho's Route of the Hiawatha | Photo courtesy Kenneth Baker

Top 10 Trails in Idaho

Posted 07/06/21 by Mary Terra-Berns in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Idaho, Top10, Trail Destinations

From the forested and lake-laden north to the Snake River plain in the south, Idaho offers a variety of exceptional trails for walking, jogging, bicycling, trailside fishing, snowshoeing and Nordic skiing. Urban, rural, or a bit on the wild side, Idaho has trails that are as diverse as the state’s topography. Here are a few of our favorites. Especially notable is the Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes, a key part of the Great American Rail-Trail™, a signature project of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy that crosses the United States from Washington D.C. to the state of Washington. The 3,700-mile route will connect people and communities by creating a nationwide network of public trails traveling through natural environments, and linking cultural and historical resources.

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.

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.

Northern Rail Trail | Photo by TrailLink user sc302

Five Top Trails That Make the Case for America’s Recreational Trails Program

Posted 09/21/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Policy | Tagged with Federal, Funding, Idaho, Maintenance and Volunteers, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, TrailsTransform, Vermont

Nearly three decades after its inception, the need for the RTP has only intensified as trail development accelerates nationally. Looking at the rail-trail niche alone, the country has increased its number of rail-trails from around 500 to more than 2,200. And, in many places, individual trails are now coalescing into expansive networks of interconnected trails spanning hundreds of miles. Awareness and use of trails has grown in tandem—but with more footfalls, hoofbeats and wheel revolutions than ever, funding for trail maintenance is not keeping pace with demand.

Hennepin Canal Parkway | Courtesy Friends of the Hennepin Canal

Outdoor Adventures Along the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 02/27/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Great American Rail-Trail, Idaho, Illinois, Nebraska, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations

The Great American Rail-TrailTM spans more than 3,700 miles between Washington, D.C., and Washington State, traversing some of America’s most iconic and scenic natural wonders. While still in progress, it already connects us to our shared heritage, nature and each other in unforgettable ways.

Lake Easton State Park in Washington | Courtesy Washington State Parks

Eight Scenic State Parks for RV Camping Along the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 01/29/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Ohio, Pennsylvania, TrailNation, Washington

To experience a trail of such length—the Great American spans more than 3,700 miles—some may prefer to hop in an RV to cover greater distances and experience more trails within the route. Near many of these trails, travelers can often find state parks tucked along the banks of scenic rivers or lakes, providing idyllic settings for camping. Here are a few of these picturesque parks along the Great American that are perfect for a long-distance journey of RV-plus-trail.

Oregon's Springwater Corridor | Photo by TrailLink user dabiker

7 Top Trail Picks From Trail Lovers Like You on TrailLink!

Posted 12/31/19 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Alabama, Best Of, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Idaho, Michigan, New Hampshire, Oregon, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Vermont

We have some inspiring rail-trails to keep you motivated throughout 2020! These bucket-list destinations come from some of the top submitters of trail photos on TrailLink.com, which currently lists more than 4,000 multiuse trails across America.

Pony Express station at the National Historic Trails Interpretive Center | Photo courtesy Bureau of Land Management | CC by 2.0

16 Historic Highlights Along the Route of the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 05/08/19 by Cory Matteson, Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Featured Magazine Articles, Great American Rail-Trail, History Happened Here, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Destinations, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming

Unique in makeup and geography, each trail that’s hosting the 3,700-miles-plus preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail has many stories to tell—some as old as, or far older than, our country itself. Both well known and lesser known, the histories found along the route demonstrate why the “Great American” is a true national treasure.

Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail in Washington | Photo by TrailLink user biggerdawg

A View From … The Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 01/23/19 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Building Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, District Of Columbia, Featured Magazine Articles, Great American Rail-Trail, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Pennsylvania, TrailNation, Washington, West Virginia, Wyoming

Imagine what’s possible with a trail that connects the country. Imagine ... pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless and scenic pathway—or walking a local trail that connects along historic routes. That vision will become a reality thanks to the Great American Rail-Trail, a signature project of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) and the organization’s most ambitious TrailNation™ project yet.

Notice: Upcoming Railroad Abandonment in Fremont County, Idaho

Posted 12/31/18 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in Building Trails | Tagged with Abandonment Notices, Corridors and Railbanking, Idaho

On or about Dec. 21, 2018, Eastern Idaho Railroad L.L.C. filed for the abandonment of 5 miles of track between Parker and Egin, Fremont County, Idaho. We are providing this information because it presents an opportunity to develop a real regional asset: a multi-use trail that can accommodate hikers, bikers, equestrians and other appropriate uses.

Cardinal Greenway, Bridge in Economy | Photo by Angie Pool, Courtesy Cardinal Greenways Inc.

Help Us Pick America’s 2018 Rail-Trail Hall of Famer!

Posted 07/02/18 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Trail Destinations, Washington

Our team scoured the states for rail-trails with exemplary scenic value, use, trail and trailside amenities, historical significance, management and maintenance, community connections and other Hall-of-Fame-worthy merits—and though it was difficult, we were able to narrow our choices down to five nominees:

Katy Trail State Park | Photo by Aaron Fuhrman

RTC’s 2018 Doppelt Grants Invest in 9 Trail Projects, Filling Critical Gaps in Trail Funding

Posted 05/22/18 by Eli Griffen in Building Trails, America's Trails | Tagged with California, Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Funding, Hall of Fame, Idaho, Iowa, Michigan, Missouri, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Trail Communities

Since 2015, RTC’s Doppelt Fund has awarded nearly a half-million dollars in grants to nonprofits and government agencies working to develop and improve multiuse trails. This year, RTC is awarding the most annual funds yet to the most awardees, with more than $140,000 going to 10 worthy recipients.