Oregon

A Journey Into History: Five Pathways to Explore the Historic Oregon Trail

Posted 07/27/18 by Alan Ibarra in America's Trails | Tagged with History Happened Here, Oregon

Great Platte River Road Archway Monument on Kearney Hike and Bike Trail | Photo by John Scharantz

Made possible thanks to the National Trails System Act—which is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year—the Historic Oregon Trail joins numerous other trails as a National Historic Trail, a category that was added 10 years after the original act was established in 1968.

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Great Shasta Rail Trail | Photo by Christina Schmidlin with Hellikon, courtesy Great Shasta Rail Trail Association

A View From … The National Trails System

Posted 01/03/18 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Success Stories | Tagged with Best Of, California, Connected Systems, Demand for Trails, Ecology and Environment, Encouraging Trail Use, Federal, History Happened Here, Legal Issues, Maryland, New York, North Dakota, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Success Stories, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trails of the World, Virginia, Walkability and Bikeability, Washington, Wild and Wonderful, Wisconsin

In 2018, we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act, which provided an incredible legacy for all Americans. Five of these iconic American experiences are listed below along with rail-trails that weave in and around them.

The Banks-Vernonia State Trail is a verdant beauty running through its two namesake towns | Courtesy Oregon State Park

Explore These Six Trails to Get Your Nature Fix

Posted 08/16/17 by Suzanne Matyas in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with Best Of, California, Colorado, Health and Active Living, Healthy Aging, History Happened Here, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Trail Destinations, Vermont, Virginia, Why Use Trails?

Being able to spend time outside to connect with nature is a uniquely special feeling and has many health benefits. It’s also something we believe that everyone should be able to experience. Thankfully, trails enable people of all ages and abilities to do just that. In urban, suburban and rural places all across the country, trails can take us to (and are!) incredible natural spaces.

Ashton-Tetonia Trail in Idaho, part of the Greater Yellowstone Trail system | Photo by Camrin Dengel

RTC’s Doppelt Fund Helps Move the Needle on Six Rail-Trails in 2017

Posted 05/31/17 by Eli Griffen in Building Trails | Tagged with Colorado, Demand for Trails, Funding, Idaho, Michigan, Montana, Nebraska, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Wyoming

Today, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) announced the recipients of the 2017 Doppelt Family Trail Development Fund grant program, awarding more than $100,000 to enhance or complete multiuse trail projects in six communities across the United States. This year’s projects, which aim to fill gaps in existing trail systems, support expansion and maintenance needs, and measure economic impact, were chosen from a pool of applications totaling $5 million in asks (an increase of nearly $1 million from last year alone)—speaking to the growing demand for trails nationwide.

High Trestle Trail | Photo by Milo Bateman

10 Bucket-List Biking Trails

Posted 03/28/17 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, California, Encouraging Trail Use, Idaho, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, OpeningDay, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Trail Destinations, Virginia, Washington

And while every trail offers its own unique experience, there are some that are so extraordinary that they truly rise to the top. So, saddle up your two-wheeled steed and celebrate Opening Day on April 8 on one of these bucket-listers!

View from the Walkway Over the Hudson rail-trail in New York | Photo by Aaron Schmidt

5 Amazing Rail-Trail Destinations for Your Bucket List

Posted 04/12/16 by Laura Stark in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Celebrating 30 Years, Colorado, Featured Magazine Articles, Hall of Fame, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Trail Destinations

In recognition of this year’s 30th anniversary of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy, RTC is conducting a public vote for the 30th addition to our Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. We thought that it was the perfect opportunity to share with you why this year's nominees are also amazing destinations you won't want to miss. Here's a little more info for you, plus travel and bike rental info!

The rural southern end of the rail-trail. | Photo by Kelly R Williams

Oregon’s Banks-Vernonia State Trail

Posted 01/19/16 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Celebrating 30 Years, Oregon, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

A thread of black in an emerald blanket, the Banks-Vernonia State Trail weaves its way between two peaceful towns in the foothills of Northwest Oregon’s Coast Range, less than an hour’s drive from Portland. Most of the 22-mile paved pathway is enveloped by the tall trees that attracted the lumber industry in the early 1900s—a verdant mix of Douglas fir, maple, cedar and alder.

Deschutes River Trail | Photo by Russ Roco

Three Great Trails for Fly Fishing by Bike

Posted 07/17/15 by Russ Roca in Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Idaho, Oregon, Signage and Amenities, Trail Use Tips, Washington

The idea of bicycling and fishing isn’t exactly new, but it’s probably something many of us haven’t done since childhood. With the renewed interest in bike touring and bikepacking in America, there is no better time to pack a lightweight fly rod on your next adventure. Here are three trails, ranging from remote to urban, that pass through some awesome trout fisheries.

From City to Coast, Salmonberry Corridor has Huge Potential for Oregon

Posted 05/08/13 by Barry Bergman in Building Trails | Tagged with Oregon, Rail-with-Trail

Support is building for the development of an 84-mile section of underutilized rail-corridor between the western reaches of Portland and the Oregon coastline. Known as the Salmonberry Corridor, the line that once carried the Port of Tillamook Bay railroad now presents an opportunity for what would certainly be one of the country's most spectacular rail-trails, and a trails tourism lifeline for the region.

Historic photo - known to be one of the oldest ever taken of Oregon City © Oregon Historical Society

In Oregon, Historical Trolley Line Reborn as Rail-Trail

Posted 05/26/12 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Heritage and Restoration, Oregon

National Trails Day, June 2, is really shaping up as being a big one for rail-trails. In northern Oregon, the people of Clackamas County are getting ready to celebrate the opening of the much-anticipated Trolley Trail, a six-mile multi-use trail that follows a historical streetcar line from Milwaukie to Gladstone through the heart of Oak Grove.