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Trail Use Tips

Iowa's High Trestle Trail overlook | Photo by Kyle Neuendorf, courtesy Boone County Conservation Department

Wildlife Viewing Along the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 03/14/23 by Shelby Deering in Trail Use | Tagged with Great American Rail-Trail, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?, Wild and Wonderful

Beautiful scenery and connections with nature are almost guaranteed when you spend time on a trail, and the experience can be even richer when you spot local wildlife along the way.

Montana's Bitterroot Trail | Photo by Robert Annis

Big Bike Country: Experiencing Montana’s Bitterroot and Milwaukee Trails

Posted 03/14/23 by Robert Annis in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Connected Systems, Great American Rail-Trail, Montana, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Use Tips

Users of the 51-mile Bitterroot Trail can sometimes forget to look past the road traffic and noise to fully appreciate the surrounding area bursting with history and natural beauty.

On the Appalachian Trail in 2021 | Photo courtesy Retha Charette

Hiking Hacks: Long-Distance Prep Tips and Tricks for Rail-Trails 101

Posted 02/14/23 by Retha Charette in Trail Use | Tagged with Encouraging Trail Use, Gear, Health and Active Living, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

A long-distance hike can truly be the adventure of a lifetime. With rail-trail thru hiking becoming more and more popular every day, I wanted to share some knowledge I’ve learn over the many years and thousands of miles I’ve spent on hiking and rail-trails about the world.

Photo courtesy Getty Images

Ways to Celebrate Trails

Posted 01/24/23 by Suzanne Matyas in Trail Use | Tagged with CelebrateTrailsDay, How-to, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?, Winter Uses

With Celebrate Trails Day—our annual kick-off to the spring trail season—coming up on Aprill 22 (Earth Day!), we’ve rounded up some fun ways for everyone to get outside and enjoy these vital spaces.

National Trails Interpretive Center in Casper, Wyoming | Photo by Amy Kapp

10 Great Places of Learning Along the Great American Rail-Trail

Posted 11/04/22 by Zach Zimmerman in Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Great American Rail-Trail, History Happened Here, Top10, Tourism , Trail Destinations, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

The Great American Rail-Trail® and its hosts trails connect to many places of learning, history and culture where students can take a break from the grind of classwork and explore. Here are some of our favorites.

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.

Photo courtesy Albert Ting

#TrailMoments with Albert Ting (@pootie_ting)

Posted 10/06/22 by Albert Ting in Trail Use, America's Trails, Health and Wellness | Tagged with District Of Columbia, ebike, Encouraging Trail Use, Great American Rail-Trail, Health and Active Living, Mode Shift, Trail Businesses, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?

For me, the positive impact that going car-free has on air quality, reducing harmful greenhouse gas emissions and decreasing traffic congestion far outweighs the benefits of owning a car.

Washington, D.C.'s Frederick Douglass Memorial Bridge | Photo by James Heilig

Trail Moments | A Journey Along the Anacostia River Trail

Posted 09/29/22 by James Heilig in Trail Use, America's Trails | Tagged with Biking, Capital Trails Coalition, District Of Columbia, ebike, Trail Destinations, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, TrailNation, Why Use Trails?

As a longtime resident of Hyattsville, Maryland, I watched as the Anacostia River Trail (ART) was expanded and finally completed. It meanders along the Anacostia River from Bladensburg, Maryland, to D.C.’s Wharf area, about 12 miles one way. This is my favorite local trail—and it’s only 2 miles from my house!

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.

Photo courtesy of Bree Corbin

#TrailMoments with Noodle (@NoodsterScootster)

Posted 09/01/22 by Noodle in Trail Use | Tagged with People with Disabilities, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips, Why Use Trails?

RTC was drooling over the chance to collaborate with Noodle, rescue dog and star of @NoodsterScootser, and her family, who have helped her adapt to the outdoors after being found with a spinal cord injury.

Along the Great Rivers Greenway trail network in St. Louis, Missouri. | Photo courtesy Great Rivers Greenway

Swap Out a Car Trip for a Trail Trip With These Tips and Tricks

Posted 08/31/22 by Ryan Chao, Amy Kapp in Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Bike Commuting, Biking, ebike, Gear, How-to, Mode Shift, Trail Use Tips, Walkability and Bikeability, Why Use Trails?, Winter Uses

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is embarking on an eight-week “Swap-a-Trip” challenge. Beginning Sept. 6, #TeamRTC will explore new ways to embrace active transportation by swapping car trips with walking, bicycling and other self-propelled activities—while getting the physical and mental health benefits to boot. Whether it’s to reduce your carbon footprint, or steep gas prices have got you down—we hope you will consider swapping a car trip for a walk or a bike ride. Here is a collection of tips and advice, brought to you from RTC, to change up that daily car commute or errand run while embracing trails, active transportation and a more active lifestyle.

Palouse to Cascades State Park Trail | Courtesy of Chelsea Murphy

Trail Moments | Tips for Outdoor Outings With Your Kids

Posted 08/04/22 by Chelsea Murphy in Trail Use | Tagged with Gear, How-to, Trail Moments, Trail Use Tips

As someone who has hiked, biked, skied, climbed and simply enjoyed being outside in nature and beyond with her family, Chelsea Murphy had a lot of fun stories and wisdom to share. Check out what she’s learned from their many experiences and her takeaways for planning your own #TrailMoments with kids!

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Most Popular

1. Seven Sensational New Rail-Trails to Celebrate in 2022 (12/21/22)


2. Reflecting on 2022: Capturing Once-in-a-Generation Opportunities for Trails, Walking and Biking (12/08/22)


3. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Awards $300,000+ to Support Inclusive Trail Projects Across the Nation (11/14/22)


4. Trail Moments | Fulfilling a Lifelong Dream on the Great American Rail-Trail (11/03/22)

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