hall of fame

Iowa’s Raccoon River Valley Trail

Posted 09/10/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Iowa, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Walkability and Bikeability

Perry's depot along the Raccoon River Valley Trail | Courtesy Raccoon River Valley Trail Association

In pastoral west-central Iowa, the Raccoon River Valley Trail has won this year’s blue-ribbon prize: entrance into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. The 89-mile pathway garnered some 16,000 votes in the national competition—a figure larger than the population of most of the small towns along its route, several home to fewer than 300 people.

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Perry's depot along the Raccoon River Valley Trail | Courtesy Raccoon River Valley Trail Association

Iowa’s Raccoon River Valley Trail

Posted 09/10/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Connected Systems, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Iowa, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Walkability and Bikeability

In pastoral west-central Iowa, the Raccoon River Valley Trail has won this year’s blue-ribbon prize: entrance into the Rail-Trail Hall of Fame. The 89-mile pathway garnered some 16,000 votes in the national competition—a figure larger than the population of most of the small towns along its route, several home to fewer than 300 people.

Silver Comet Trail | Photo by TrailLink user papa t

Long-Distance Rides on Hall of Fame Rail-Trails

Posted 08/03/21 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Alabama, Best Of, Georgia, Hall of Fame, How-to, Minnesota, Missouri, South Dakota, Trail Destinations

Here’s a fun look back at some of our previous Hall of Fame winners spanning nearly 100 miles or more. This collection of prestigious pathways—selected on merits such as scenic value, trailside amenities, historical significance and community connections—showcases some of the country’s best trail tourism destinations.

Indiana's Erie Lackawanna Trail | Photo by Tom Roach

Top 10 Trails in Indiana

Posted 03/24/21 by Ally Neutze in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Indiana, Top10, Trail Destinations

Originally serving as a primary pathway to deliver goods and people to and from Chicago, Indiana’s extensive railway system makes the state ideal for rail-trail exploration. Its ever-expanding network of trails provides residents and visitors with an abundance of options for recreation, commuting and physical activity, with 73 completed rail-trails and 34 rail-trail projects in progress as of 2021.

Maryland's Jones Falls Trail | Photo by Side A Photography

Top 10 Trails in Maryland

Posted 03/08/21 by Robert Annis in America's Trails | Tagged with Baltimore Greenway Trails Coalition, Best Of, Hall of Fame, Maryland, Top10, Trail Destinations, TrailNation

If you’ve been on Maryland’s Trails, then you know there’s much more to the state than just crabs, Old Bay and Baltimore Orioles baseball. The Free State offers a host of trail offerings for nearly every user, and its mild winters allow those riders and hikers to make the most of them year-round. Here are just 10 of our favorite pathways.

Jeff Doppelt, rail-trail supporter and philanthropist, on the Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail | Photo courtesy Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

Rail-Trail Movement Mourns a Great Friend, Philanthropist Jeff Doppelt

Posted 01/21/21 by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy in America's Trails | Tagged with Hall of Fame, Rail-Trail Champion

This past week, the rail-trail movement lost one of its greatest friends, Jeffrey L. Doppelt of Great Neck, New York, an enthusiastic ambassador and philanthropist for rail-trails, who passed away from COVID-19. A member of RTC for over 25 years, Jeff was truly a railroad enthusiast.

Flint Hills Trail State Park | Courtesy Kansas Tourism

Five Destination Rail-Trails Newly Designated as 2020 National Recreation Trails

Posted 11/30/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails, Trail Use | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, Indiana, Kansas, Massachusetts, Ohio, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations

In October, a new slate of 30 trails in 25 states—including the five rail-trails highlighted here—were ushered into the ranks of top outdoor destinations as 2020’s National Recreation Trails by U.S. Secretary of the Interior.

Tanglefoot Trail | Photo by Wendy Crosby, courtesy mightybus.wordpress.com

A Sneak Peek at the New Edition of the "Rail-Trail: Hall of Fame" Guidebook

Posted 04/23/20 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Great American Rail-Trail, Hall of Fame, Indiana, Louisiana, Mississippi, New York, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations

In this new edition of the Rail-Trail: Hall of Fame guidebook are updated descriptions of our previous winners and the four latest entries (spotlighted below), which were ushered in by public vote. So, settle in and explore these rock star trails from home, and get ready to plan your future trail adventures.

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!

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.

Mississippi's Tanglefoot Trail | Photo by Wendy Crosby, courtesy mightybus.wordpress.com

Mississippi’s Tanglefoot Trail

Posted 08/06/19 by Laura Stark in America's Trails | Tagged with Best Of, Hall of Fame, Local Organizing, Mississippi, Tourism , Tourism and Economic Development, Tourism and Economic Stimulus, Trail Businesses, Trail Communities, Trail Destinations, Trail of the Month, Walkability and Bikeability

Something new came to northeast Mississippi in 2013, winding through a handful of sleepy towns nestled into the bucolic foothills of the Appalachian Mountains and awakening a new sense of community pride. All 43.6 miles of the Tanglefoot Trail opened at once, becoming the longest rail-trail in the state, and connecting these communities together like never before.