Trail Use Tips

Stealing Moments of “Me Time” on the Trail as a Mom During COVID

Posted 09/10/20 by Brandi Horton in America's Trails, Health and Wellness, Trail Use | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, Schools and Young People, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Virginia, Why Use Trails?

The Mom Squad on the W&OD Trail in Northern Virginia | Courtesy Brandi Horton

While my moments on the trail can’t fix the systemic inequalities that women face, or the uphill climb many of us are facing during and after the pandemic, these moments on the trail can help me rebuild my resilience. And they are—as often as I can create them.

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Three Rivers Heritage Trail | Photo by Healthy Ride, Pittsburgh Bike Share

How Trails and Outdoor Access Provide Important Mental Health Benefits

Posted 09/02/20 by Cory Matteson in America's Trails, Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with COVID-19, Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

One significant way millions of Americans are addressing their mental health needs during the coronavirus is through frequent activity in the outdoors. In Lincoln, Nebraska, where I live, the city’s robust trail system has been packed with more cyclists, roller bladers, runners and walkers than I’d ever encountered before in a spring trail season.

Birdwatching in Tacony Creek Park | Courtesy Tookany-Tacony Frankford Watershed Partnership

Philly Birder Takes Fledgling Bird Enthusiasts Under His Wing

Posted 09/01/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Circuit Trails, Ecology and Environment, Encouraging Trail Use, Equity, Featured Magazine Articles, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, TrailNation, Wild and Wonderful

“For me, the special part of those experiences has been having so many different types of people participating,” enthused Keith Russell. “You have families come out with kids and people who are in their 70s and 80s. I’m always so thrilled that you have such diversity; birding doesn’t just attract one section of the community or one type of person.”

Dunes on the Pierre Stocking Scenic Drive Overlook | Photo by Robert Annis

Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail: A Pedal Along a Michigan Marvel

Posted 08/26/20 by Robert Annis in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with COVID-19, Michigan, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips

Sleeping Bear Dunes had almost everything I was looking for, even one of the best rail-trails in the country. I’d heard too many great things about the 22-mile Sleeping Bear Heritage Trail over the years, and I wanted to finally ride it myself.

Wissahickon Trail in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Photo by Patrick Wittwer | CC by 2.0

Taking Care of Our Trails and Parks in the Midst of COVID-19

Posted 05/22/20 by Amy Kapp, Eric Oberg in America's Trails | Tagged with COVID-19, Maintenance and Volunteers, Trail Etiquette, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips

As trails remain on the front lines in providing outdoor opportunities and mobility for Americans, managers continue to explore new ways to work with their communities to ensure positive experiences for record numbers of users in the face of limited maintenance resources, reduced staffing and curtailed volunteer activities.

Great Allegheny Passage just outside Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Photo by Milo Bateman

How the Great Allegheny Passage Transformed a Region

Posted 05/12/20 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Featured Magazine Articles, Great American Rail-Trail, Pennsylvania, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips

The story of the GAP is one of vision, tenacity and transformation. But at the heart of it all, it is the story of what’s possible when people come together with a great idea.

Minuteman Commuter Bikeway | Courtesy Friends of Lexington Bikeways

Good Trail Etiquette Has Never Been More Essential Than It Is Right Now.

Posted 04/02/20 by Amy Kapp in Trail Use, Health and Wellness | Tagged with COVID-19, Safety and Law Enforcement, Trail Etiquette, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips

Where trails are open—especially in areas where parks and other outdoor recreation facilities have closed—there has been an influx of new users and recognition that safe use and trail etiquette have never been so vital to the health of our nation.

Four Mile Run in Arlington, VA | Photo by Joe LaCroix

Using Trails and Outdoor Spaces Safely in the Wake of COVID-19

Posted 03/24/20 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with COVID-19, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

It’s vital that people find ways to engage in physical activity during this time; the benefits to our immune systems and our mental health are significant. But it is critical that we do so in ways that will keep us safe and minimize the spread of the pandemic. While trails continue to serve as significant sources of health and wellness for Americans, RTC is urging everyone to practice safe and responsible trail use and self-care at all times.

Fun run 5k on W&OD Trail in Arlington, VA | Photo courtesy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

20 Great Ways to Celebrate Opening Day for Trails 2020

Posted 03/05/20 by Amy Kapp in America's Trails | Tagged with Trail Use Tips

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy invites you to join us in kicking off the spring trail season on April 13, 2019—the nation’s seventh annual Opening Day for Trails and the perfect opportunity to enjoy America’s spectacular trails system. For some inspiration, check out these 13 fun ways to celebrate Opening Day in your own neighborhood and beyond! But before you try any of these activities, please check the rules at your trail of choice to confirm your activity is welcome.

View from the Ivanhoe Trestle along New River Trail State Park | Courtesy Virginia DCR

Nine Romantic Trail Destinations That Will Make You Swoon

Posted 02/10/20 by Amy Kapp, Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with BATC, Best Of, California, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Hawaii, IHTC, Iowa, Massachusetts, Nebraska, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tourism , Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, TrailNation, Virginia

With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, we thought it was a great time to bust out this list of top romantic rail-trails in the United States, chosen for their “swoon-worthy” romantic views, date-worthy amenities and just plain good old-fashioned charm. Here are nine, great, date-worthy trail destinations to try and catch cupid’s arrow!