Trail Communities

George S. Mickelson Trail at the Deadwood Trailhead | Photo courtesy South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks

A Milestone for the Mickelson Trail: Celebrating 25 Years

Posted 09/13/23 by Cindy Barks in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Legal Issues, Local Organizing, South Dakota, Trail Communities

The 109-mile George S. Mickelson Trail, named after the South Dakota governor who championed the trail before dying in a plane crash in 1993, was officially dedicated in the midst of much fanfare in 1998.

Arkansas' Razorback Regional Greenway | Photo courtesy Experience Fayetteville

Arkansas’ Razorback Regional Greenway

Posted 07/05/23 by Erica Sweeney in Trail Use | Tagged with Arkansas, Connected Systems, Federal, Funding, Local Organizing, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Whether he’s going to work or out to eat with his family, Fayetteville resident Matt Mihalevich often hops on his bicycle and rides the Razorback Regional Greenway in Northwest Arkansas to get there.

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.

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.

This Caboose greets visitors where the Katy Trail and the Rock Island Trail intersect in Windsor. | Photo courtesy Missouri Rock island Trail Inc.

10 Great Destinations Along Missouri’s Future Rock Island Trail

Posted 03/16/23 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Featured Magazine Articles, Missouri, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations

The state of Missouri is partnering with local communities and nonprofit groups to plan and develop the Rock Island Trail, which is situated along a 144-mile disused rail corridor between Windsor and Beaufort. When complete, the trail will showcase 23 communities and serve as a boon for outdoor tourism and economic development. Here are some of our favorite destinations along the developing route.

Arriving home at the end of the Great American Rail-Trail journey | Photo courtesy David Berrigan

Trail Moments | Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream on the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 11/03/22 by David Berrigan in Trail Use | Tagged with Connected Systems, Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, Great American Rail-Trail, How-to, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

The stars aligned a few years ago when family, work and life combined with Rails-to-Trails Conservancy’s announcement of their Great American Rail-Trail® project to push me toward a serious commitment to a long-distance bike trip.

Greenway of Greater Grand Forks | Photo by TrailLink user thejake91739

Minnesota and North Dakota’s Greenway of Greater Grand Forks

Posted 10/06/22 by Cindy Barks in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Ecology and Environment, Minnesota, North Dakota, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month

Over the past two decades, the Greenway of Greater Grand Forks has attracted more and more uses, and Greendahl said she often gets requests for new features, such as more river access points.

Shevonne and Pat Travers | Photo courtesy Shevonne and Pat Travers

Best Of: Great American Rail-Trail Adventures With the Traverses

Posted 09/12/22 by Shevonne and Pat Travers in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with District Of Columbia, Great American Rail-Trail, Idaho, Indiana, Iowa, Ohio, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Washington

In June 2021, my husband, Pat, and I began our trek on the Great American Rail-Trail® in Seattle, Washington, at the western end of the 3,700-mile developing route.

Aerial view of the Mather Trestle along South Carolina's Spanish Moss Trail | Photo courtesy of the Friends of the Spanish Moss Trail

South Carolina’s Spanish Moss Trail

Posted 08/03/22 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Health and Active Living, South Carolina, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

Aptly named for the moss-draped oaks along the route, the woodsy sections of the Spanish Moss Trail provide a cool respite in the South Carolina summers. As it winds 10 miles through Beaufort County on the state’s southern coastline, numerous bridges over salt marshes and small streams provide picturesque views and the chance to see pink-hued roseate spoonbills or snowy white egrets wading in the shallows.

Hall of Fame milestone on Florida's Fred Marquis Pinellas Trail | Courtesy Carol Alexander

Trail Moments | Our Quest to Visit All of America’s Hall of Fame Rail-Trails

Posted 07/05/22 by Carol Alexander in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

For the last three years, we have concentrated on pedaling different regions of the country using two important planning tools: the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame guidebook and TrailLink.com. We have also expanded our agenda by incorporating other interests such as canoeing and geocaching. Our journey started with an F150 pickup carrying two solo canoes on the roof, bicycles and hiking attire in the truck bed, and a very comfortable 20-foot travel trailer towed behind.

Michigan's Kal Haven Trail on the Great Lake-to-Lake Trails Route 1 in South Haven | Photo by C.M. McGuire

Michigan Trail System Makes Connections From Lake to Shining Lake

Posted 07/04/22 by Amy S. Eckert in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Michigan, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations

By summer 2022, the Michigan Air Line Trail will complete the final 2.5 miles of its 8-mile total, and enthusiasm among Wixom’s residents and business owners is high. But even more exciting than the trail’s completion is the news that the route will join the larger Great Lake-to-Lake Trails network. Because now, rather than merely attracting Detroiters, Wixom will be able to advertise itself to cross-state roadtrippers.