NRT Photo Contest:

Award categories
How to enter
See previous entries and winners
Deadline is December 15, 2012

NRT Photo Contest

2012 National Recreation Trails photo contest

American Trails sponsors an annual contest for photographs of National Recreation Trails across the country. Our annual contest provides awards in several categories and shows off entries (and previous winners) on the NRT website. The goal is to highlight the diversity of the NRTs and to make more Americans familiar with these great trails. We're looking for good photos of trail users as well as special facilities, art on the trails, management issues, construction, and volunteers. We also want to see entries that cover the many types and uses of National Recreation Trails throughout America.

DEADLINE for entries is December 15, 2012.

ELIGIBILITY: Photos of any designated National Recreation Trail are eligible

Check the on line searchable database for a list of NRTs in your state and provide more information on individual trails. If you're not sure if a trail is an NRT, or if you have questions about the contest, call American Trails at (530) 547-2060 or NRT@AmericanTrails.org. Entries will be displayed on the NRT website.

AWARD CATEGORIES: We will give awards in the following categories, which are grouped under the three general areas of Trail Use, Trail Management, and Trail Features.

TRAIL USE

photo of horses on mountain trail

On the Wyoming Range National Recreation Trail, WY
Photo by Jean Kunz

Accessibility
Hiking and Walking
Equestrian
Paddling and Water Trails
Bicycling
Off-Highway Vehicle riding
Snowmobiling
Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Dogsledding

TRAIL MANAGEMENT

Trail Sharing
Training and Education
Trail Work
Youth and Volunteers
Health and Fitness

TRAIL FEATURES

Urban Trails and Greenways
Rail and Canal Trails
Historic Features
Scenery and Natural Features
Arts and Interpretation
Innovative Facilities
Environmental Features, Flora, and Fauna

ARTISTIC MERIT

The trail as photographic inspiration

HOW TO ENTER the 2012 NRT photography contest

DEADLINE: December 15, 2012
DIGITAL: Photos must be in JPEG or TIFF format. Submit via our website at: http://atfiles.org/ftp/web/ATUpload.html. Digital images may be emailed if attachments are under 10 megabytes. Otherwise please send a CD.
FILM: Sorry, we can't accept prints or negatives, but you can have a local photo shop scan them to make digital photos.
Submit up to TEN photos per trail.
Separate entry forms are required for each different trail if you are entering photos of more than one NRT.
Identify each photo with a number, file name, or other clear and concise identifier.
Attach a list of your entries with description or caption, location, and photographer's name with contact information for each photo. You may include maps, brochures, news articles, or other information.
Make sure your photos are on designated National Recreation Trails
Keep copies of your photos; we are not able to return cds or other media.
Send your entries by email to NRT@AmericanTrails.org or by postal mail to American Trails, P. O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797.
Include the following information along with your photos, either electronically or by mail:
1. Name of the NRT where photo(s) taken
2. State and general location of trail
3. Your name
4. Photographer's name, if different
5. Organization
6. Address
7. Phone
8. Fax
9. Email
10. Website address

See the ENTRIES in the 2011 contest:

Gallery 1 - Gallery 2 - Gallery 3 - Gallery 4 - Gallery 5 - Gallery 6 - Gallery 7 - Gallery 8 - Gallery 9 - Gallery 10 - Gallery 11 - Gallery 12 - Gallery 13 - Gallery 14

See galleries of photos entered in the 2010 contest -

Gallery 1 - Gallery 2 - Gallery 3 - Gallery 4 - Gallery 5 - Gallery 6 - Gallery 7 - Gallery 8 - Gallery 9 -

View all the ENTRIES in the 2009 NRT Photo Contest:
Gallery 1 - Gallery 2 - Gallery 3 - Gallery 4 - Gallery 5 - Gallery 6 - Gallery 7 - Gallery 8 - Gallery 9 - Gallery 10 - Gallery 11 - Gallery 12

See the 2008 WINNERS and all the pictures entered in the 2008 NRT Photo Contest - Gallery 1 - Gallery 2 - Gallery 3 - Gallery 4 - Gallery 5 - Gallery 6 - Gallery 7 - - Gallery 8 - Gallery 9 - Gallery 10 - Gallery 11 - Gallery 12

See the winners and entries in the 2007 NRT Photo Contest: Gallery 1 - Gallery 2 - Gallery 3 - Gallery 4 - Gallery 5 - Gallery 6 - Gallery 7 - Gallery 8 - Gallery 9 - Gallery 10

See 2006 entries: Gallery 1 - Gallery 2 - Gallery 3 - Gallery 4 - Gallery 5 - Gallery 6 - Gallery 7 - Gallery 8 - Gallery 9 - Gallery 10 - Gallery 11 - Gallery 12 - Gallery 13

View the winners and 180 entries in the 2004-05 and 2003-04 NRT Photo Contest

By entering the contest you are giving us permission to use the photos for publicity and promotion of National Recreation Trails. This includes use on the websites of the NRT Program, American Trails, and cooperating agencies and organizations, as well as their non-commercial publications. This also includes use of photos by Trails.com, Away.com and GORP.com in promotion of National Recreation Trails though an agreement with American Trails. You retain all other rights to your photos.

If you're not sure if a trail is an NRT, or if you have questions about the contest, please contact us. Presented by American Trails, P. O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797 -- phone (530) 547-2060 -- fax (530) 547-2035 -- NRT@AmericanTrails.org

Each year nominations for designation of new National Recreation Trails may be submitted. Details of the program may be found on the NRT website hosted by American Trails: (www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails). The National Recreation Trail Program recognizes trails that provide opportunities for all Americans to enjoy the out-of-doors and improve the quality of life of our communities.