Rails to Trails Conservancy

Rails to Trails Conservancy Building a nation connected by trails—reimagining public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and get outside.

Creating a nationwide network of trails & connecting corridors to build healthier places for healthier people.

Celebrate Trails Day was so much more than a day outside. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s celebration ...
06/02/2026

Celebrate Trails Day was so much more than a day outside. Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s celebration the most impactful and far-reaching yet. Together, on the fourth Saturday of April:
 
🗺️ Trails were celebrated across the country–more than 40,000 people showed up to in all 50 states, Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
 
🚲 Our partners planned 330+ celebrations, which included group bike rides, walks, runs, community festivals, cleanups, and other types of activities and programming that invited people outside.
 
❤️ The celebration inspired happy hearts and more smiles. People reported logging an average of 101 minutes being active outside and on trails, totaling an estimated 4 million minutes on Celebrate Trails Day, and 97% of people agreed that using trails make a difference for their mental health and well-being.
 
$ Celebrating America’s had a real economic impact. An estimated $1.6 million total was potentially spent on or to prepare for Celebrate Trails Day, including visiting trailside shops and other local businesses.
 
Thank you again to our 2026 supporting organizations, our 380 partners across the country, and everyone who joined us in celebrating the joy and impact of trails.

We hope this day inspires everyone to keep showing up for America’s trails all year long—by taking part in other observances and events that celebrate and elevate trails, speaking for these essential outdoor spaces, volunteering and getting involved with your local trails, sharing your , and spending more time on trails in your everyday life—and that you’ll save the date to on the fourth Saturday of April next year!

06/02/2026

Tune in as our team explores the impact of Celebrate Trails Day this year and the difference that time spent on the trail can make in our lives and communities.

On the fourth Saturday of April, this annual springtime celebration brought people together on trails for walks, runs, rides, volunteer activities, community festivals and more—creating a powerful day of collective joy, impact and action for the nation’s pathways. With America’s upcoming 250-year milestone and RTC's 40th anniversary this year, we set out to make the 2026 Celebrate Trails Day
the biggest and best yet.

It was an extraordinary day. Thank you to everyone who participated, our 380 partners, and the 2026 supporting organizations who made it such a special celebration.

We hope it inspires everyone to keep celebrating and showing up on trails all year long!

Today’s trail-spiration: Dawkins Line Rail Trail!Seeking a spectacular adventure through the past? Look no further than ...
06/02/2026

Today’s trail-spiration: Dawkins Line Rail Trail!

Seeking a spectacular adventure through the past? Look no further than Kentucky's longest rail-trail. This 35-mile trail takes you through the rich history of the striking Appalachian region, traversing 24 scenic trestles and the 700-foot Gun Creek Tunnel.

Want to see more of the trail? Explore photos, user reviews, its map, information and more for free on TrailLink: https://www.traillink.com/trail/dawkins-line-rail-trail/

📷 Photos of the trail courtesy of TrailLink user solomonsage89

06/01/2026

Fueling up with for ALL the activities at with in Denver!

Come along with me as we…
🎵 Jam out to music
🚲 Meet with folks in the activation space with to talk trails and how anyone can help make it easier and safer to walk, bike and where they live—and shared some pretzel snacks to keep the energy going strong
👟 Walk 46,391 steps while exploring all the exhibits, acts and experiences at the festival
🌲 Learn about connecting in nature
🎉And more!

Thank you to for helping to power us up with pretzels. We’ve got some exciting twists to share about our partnership—coming soon!

05/30/2026

Check out the newest issue of magazine to explore how trails have transformed the American experience.

Today, the nation’s multiuse trails stretch more than 42,500 miles—and those trails are being connected into networks that reach into rural, urban and suburban communities in every state—making it safer to walk, bike and be active outside.

These trails create routes that bring our country’s history to life, like Pennsylvania’s Delaware & Lehigh Trail—the cover story—which follows the intertwined path of the American and Industrial revolutions, while providing opportunity in countless ways.

With stories connected by the theme of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, fueled by our nation’s trails, this special edition brings to life America’s 250th through the lens of trails.

Read the new spring/summer issue at RailsToTrails.org/Magazine

05/29/2026

From happy hours to brunch, networking to learning, old friends to new connections, our time with for and the Industry Conference was meaningful. We’re charged up to spread the joy of trails to the country and to advocate for the impact these space deliver to all of us. We can’t wait to see all of the people who care about creating and connecting trails during this weekend. Find us this weekend with talking up access to nature and safe spaces to be active outside. We can’t wait to hear your stories and !

is a terrific time to explore your local bike routes! Using our TrailLink app, you can find trails to bike where you ...
05/27/2026

is a terrific time to explore your local bike routes!

Using our TrailLink app, you can find trails to bike where you live, work and play. Our team has mapped tens of thousands of miles of multiuse trails across the country to help you find great pathways, that are separated from car traffic, to bike to wherever you want and need to go.

Download TrailLink for free to plan your rides this month and all year long: TrailLink.com

This summer, join our free Changemakers for Trails trainings to learn how to speak up for trails, walking and biking whe...
05/27/2026

This summer, join our free Changemakers for Trails trainings to learn how to speak up for trails, walking and biking where you live!

Our Changemaker for Trails program is an opportunity to explore what advocacy involves, why it is important, what RTC is advocating for, and how you can get involved.

Sign up for our summer cohort to take part in three curated trainings led by RTC staff via Zoom. The trainings are scheduled for:
📅6/9: Intro to Advocacy
📅 6/23: Messaging Matters
📅 7/14: Taking Action: Putting Advocacy into Practice

Learn more about the Changemakers for Trails program and sign up for the summer cohort: https://www.railstotrails.org/policy/changemakers

Today’s trail-spiration: Washington Secondary Bike PathRhode Island’s longest rail-trail offers a scenic escape through ...
05/23/2026

Today’s trail-spiration: Washington Secondary Bike Path

Rhode Island’s longest rail-trail offers a scenic escape through shady forests, over picturesque river bridges and past peaceful reservoir views. Just over 19 miles, the trail connects from Cranston (Providence’s southwestern neighbor) to Coventry, plus links to the developing East Coast Greenway, a 3,000-mile route between Florida and Maine.

Want to see more of the trail? Explore photos, user reviews, its map, information and more for free on TrailLink: https://www.traillink.com/trail/washington-secondary-bike-path

📷 Photos of the trail courtesy of TrailLink users cwiokster and britte.lowther

05/22/2026

Yesterday, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s surface transportation bill, the BUILD America 250 Act, passed out of committee, which means it moves on to the next round of debate in Congress.

This bill is fundamental to America’s trails. It defines the priorities for the country’s transportation investment, including trails, walking and biking. And while this bill doesn’t represent the draconian cuts to active transportation initially threatened by Congressional leaders, it is far from a victory lap, making it harder for places to build out the connected active transportation infrastructure Americans want and need.

During the T&I Committee’s vote, Congressman Chris Pappas of New Hampshire shared why the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program, which the new bill repeals, is so important to Americans, holding up the letter that RTC and 260 other organizations signed calling for ATIIP’s inclusion in the next surface transportation bill.

When introducing an amendment to extend ATIIP through 2031, Rep. Pappas said, “Supporting active transportation and providing robust funding for it is critical to meet the growing demands of all types of communities ... For convenient, accessible, well-maintained biking and walking routes, trails, sidewalks, and bikeways make connections that are essential.”

We couldn’t agree more. His message is vital as the House continues debate on this bill and the Senate considers what to prioritize in the version it develops. Read more about RTC’s perspective on the bill at https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/congress-takes-first-step-on-new-transportation-law/

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