Building Our Regional Trail Network in NE TN and SW VA

03/24/2026

The efforts of the Johnson County Trails Association led by its president Philip Burtt-Henderson are gathering strong public support in planning and building trails connecting the VA Creeper Trail with Mountain City, TN, the Iron Mountain Trail, and eventually Watauga Lake. We are hoping this planned trail extension will link with the Tweetsie Trail Extension in Hampton, the Tweetsie Trail in Elizabethton and Johnson City, and the First Frontier Trail route to Jonesborough, TN.
Greeneville here we come!
Support from civic governance groups like the Johnson County Commission the the public are vital for obtaining grants and local investments in green infrastructure.
https://www.facebook.com/share/p/189zQ5Vxtg/

Phillip Burtt-Henderson, president of Johnson County Trails Association, presentsed a resolution to the County Commissioners that asked their support in the effort to expand the Laurel Creek Trail into Virginia to Damascus. After a heartfelt endorcement by Mayor Potter and Commissioner Phipps, the commissioners voted unanimously to support JCTA’s efforts

03/03/2026

Our goals

We envision a statewide network of sustainable trails that:
Connect people of our region of all backgrounds and abilities to the outdoors,
Build a culture of environmental and cultural stewardship and healthy recreation,
Provide an off-street network for traveling within and between Tennessee and neighboring state communities,
Attract a wide range of users that contribute to the region’s urban and rural economies.

Credit: Oregon Trails Coalition

02/28/2026

The gathering Friday of partners of the NE TN and SW Virginia Regional Trail Initiative was a very successful session to hear from over sixty representatives from two states, twelve counties, and area communities large and small. The challenge of creating a network connecting many of the trail assets currently in place, those in the planning stages, and those already in construction will take strong public and private support. A Regional Trail Work Group will be forming soon to work toward reaching this goal. Look for more on a new Face Book page soon and watch for updates.