More Trails. Better Trails.

We connect organizations, agencies, and communities with the education, data, and people they need to create an extensive infrastructure of easily accessible, well-maintained trails and greenways in cities, rural areas and wild places across the nation.

More Trails. Better Trails.

We connect organizations, agencies, and communities with the education, data, and people they need to create an extensive infrastructure of easily accessible, well-maintained trails and greenways in cities, rural areas and wild places across the nation.

Our Mission: Connecting and transforming
communities through the power of trails.

40,000+ Constituents

Each month our communications are relied upon by over 40,000 trail users, professionals, and advocates.

Our communications are relied upon by 40,000 users, professionals, and advocates.

$7.5 M Funded

Over 5 years, we will fund over $7.5M worth of trail projects and programs in all 50 states, and these funds will be leveraged 4:1.

Over 5 years, we will fund over $7.5M worth of trail projects and programs

120,000+ Trained

Since it’s inception, the Advancing Trails Webinar Series has trained and informed well over 120,000 people.

80 Competencies

Lead by American Trails, a coalition of over 30 partner organizations and agencies developed a Trail Core Competency Framework.

Lead the development of a Trail Core Competency Framework.

We drive our mission by fostering positive change in key areas:

Professional Development and Education: Promoting well-trained trail professionals and volunteers.: Promoting well-trained professionals.
Advocacy: Forming coalitions to shape pro-trail policies at all government levels.: Forming coalitions to shape pro-trail policies.
Data and Research: Cultivating support through partnerships.
Funding and Resources: Enhancing access for under-resourced organizations and underserved communities.

We drive our mission by fostering positive change in key areas:

Professional Development and Education: Promoting well-trained trail professionals and volunteers.: Promoting well-trained professionals.
Advocacy: Forming coalitions to shape pro-trail policies at all government levels.: Forming coalitions to shape pro-trail policies.
Data and Research: Cultivating support through partnerships.
Funding and Resources: Enhancing access for under-resourced organizations and underserved communities.

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Thank you to our Trail Ambassadors!

Learn more about Trail Ambasssador Partnerships.

Thank you to our Trail Boss Partners!

Learn more about Trail Boss Sponsorhips.

Featured Content

American Trails Membership New and Improved Member Benefits Membership That Moves Trails—and People—Forward. Explore the new benefits of becoming a member of American Trails—designed for trail professionals, volunteers, and advocates just like you.

American Trails Membership New and Improved Member Benefits Membership That Moves Trails—and People—Forward. Explore the new benefits of becoming a member of American Trails—designed for trail professionals, volunteers, and advocates just like you.

Resources Technology and Data Hub Everything you need to know about trail data tools and GIS technology to support planning, mapping, and stewardship of public lands.

Resources Technology and Data Hub Everything you need to know about trail data tools and GIS technology to support planning, mapping, and stewardship of public lands.

Advancing Trails Webinar Series Upcoming Webinar Choosing the Right Aggregate: Matching Material to Trail Use and Terrain

Advancing Trails Webinar Series Upcoming Webinar Choosing the Right Aggregate: Matching Material to Trail Use and Terrain

Latest Content

Minnesota DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Strategic Master Plans (2025)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has finalized strategic master plans for each of the three primary categories of off-highway vehicle recreation: all-terrain vehicles, off-road vehicles, and off-highway motorcycles.

Minnesota DNR Off-Highway Vehicle Strategic Master Plans (2025)

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources has finalized strategic master plans for each of the three primary categories of off-highway vehicle recreation: all-terrain vehicles, off-road vehicles, and off-highway motorcycles.

Pennsylvania Land and Water Trail Network Strategic Plan 2025-2029

The Pennsylvania Land and Water Trail Network Strategic Plan, 2025-2029 provides a five-year blueprint for state and local governments, trail providers, and other stakeholders to guide Pennsylvania’s trail stewardship and expansion. States are required to maintain a state trail plan to receive federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program.

Pennsylvania Land and Water Trail Network Strategic Plan 2025-2029

The Pennsylvania Land and Water Trail Network Strategic Plan, 2025-2029 provides a five-year blueprint for state and local governments, trail providers, and other stakeholders to guide Pennsylvania’s trail stewardship and expansion. States are required to maintain a state trail plan to receive federal funding through the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration’s Recreational Trails Program.

Register for Hike the Hill® 2026

American Trails has partnered with the American Hiking Society and the Partnership for the National Trails System to provide virtual Hike the Hill® Issue Briefings in both live and recorded formats.

Register for Hike the Hill® 2026

American Trails has partnered with the American Hiking Society and the Partnership for the National Trails System to provide virtual Hike the Hill® Issue Briefings in both live and recorded formats.

Engagement with Parks Report 2025

This report provides evidence that the U.S. public strongly supports and values the spaces, activities, and services that parks and recreation provide to communities.

Engagement with Parks Report 2025

This report provides evidence that the U.S. public strongly supports and values the spaces, activities, and services that parks and recreation provide to communities.

Outdoor Participation Trends Report 2025

For over 15 years, the Outdoor Participation Trends Report has served as the most trusted and comprehensive source of insights and narratives around who’s doing what, when, and how outdoors.

Outdoor Participation Trends Report 2025

For over 15 years, the Outdoor Participation Trends Report has served as the most trusted and comprehensive source of insights and narratives around who’s doing what, when, and how outdoors.

Outdoor Recreation on Federal Public Lands & Waters: A Valuable American Asset

This novel report explores the business of outdoor recreation on federal public lands and waters and what that means for America’s balance sheet.

Outdoor Recreation on Federal Public Lands & Waters: A Valuable American Asset

This novel report explores the business of outdoor recreation on federal public lands and waters and what that means for America’s balance sheet.

Volunteer Event Promotion Handbook (ATC)

Successful volunteer events require clear planning, strong promotion, welcoming hosting, and thoughtful follow-up. Partnerships and advance communication are the biggest drivers of participation.

Volunteer Event Promotion Handbook (ATC)

Successful volunteer events require clear planning, strong promotion, welcoming hosting, and thoughtful follow-up. Partnerships and advance communication are the biggest drivers of participation.

Trail Maintenance for Volunteers

The purpose of this guide is to help you, as a volunteer, perform basic trail maintenance to make trails in your care safer and more sustainable.

Trail Maintenance for Volunteers

The purpose of this guide is to help you, as a volunteer, perform basic trail maintenance to make trails in your care safer and more sustainable.

The Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation in Nevada

The findings of this study reveal that outdoor recreation is a significant economic contributor to Nevada and the surrounding Tahoe Basin region.

The Economic Impact of Outdoor Recreation in Nevada

The findings of this study reveal that outdoor recreation is a significant economic contributor to Nevada and the surrounding Tahoe Basin region.

Access Hundreds of Archived Webinars

Unlock a powerful library of training, expertise, and professional development— all at your fingertips!

Access Hundreds of Archived Webinars

Unlock a powerful library of training, expertise, and professional development— all at your fingertips!

Trail Ambassadors

Trail Boss Partners

Trail Champion Members