American Trails is a nationwide coalition of all types of trails organizations, agencies, and individuals (motorized and nonmotorized).

 

We empower trail professionals and volunteers to protect, enhance, and promote America’s trail networks. Through conferences, trail grants, and professional development, American Trails builds a skilled, united workforce, funds sustainable trails, and champions their value. 

The problem we want to solve:

Trails are the backbone of the outdoor economy, yet those who build and maintain them face major challenges—lack of funding, training, and fair wages. American Trails advocates for standardized workforce training, equitable access, and stronger collaboration among trail professionals. We push for trails to be recognized as essential infrastructure, highlighting their role in public health, climate resilience, and land access. With outdoor recreation at an all-time high, we champion strategic investment in research, stewardship, and inclusive planning to ensure sustainable, well-maintained trails for all.

The value of trails is not well understood and trails are not viewed as infrastructure.  We understand the compounding negative impacts of insufficient funding, poor planning, low engagement, and neglect.  Further, we know trails are more popular than ever, and equitable access is needed. 

In 2023, according to the Outdoor Industry Association, 168.1 million people participated in outdoor activities, and the base of new participants is becoming more diverse.  

We speak up for strategic investment in trail research, stewardship training, project planning, and inclusive public engagement as critical steps leading to effective trail project implementation and manageable long-term maintenance.

Our Mission

Connecting and transforming communities through the power of trails

Vision

American Trails connects organizations, agencies, and communities with the education, data, and people they need to build better trails.

• American Trails envisions a cohesive, well-resourced nationwide trails community creating and caring for trails. 
• We see trail stewardship and advocacy organizations having the means and sustainable capacity to promote the health of people, planet, and community prosperity through trails.
• We anticipate a future where participants from historically marginalized backgrounds can safely enjoy nearby trails, and formerly underserved communities are financially supported by trails that add valuable amenities and spur sustainable local economic development.
• We envision an extensive infrastructure of easily accessible, well-maintained trails and greenways in cities, rural areas and wild places across the nation that protect the natural environment while connecting people to the outdoors wherever they live, work, and play. 

Core Values

At American Trails, we uphold a set of collective principles and ideals that guide our daily work and programs:

Community Cohesiveness — We value the unique backgrounds, talents, skills and contributions each person makes, as staff, members of the Board and organization, delegates at the International Trails Summit, and participants of American Trails programs.

Equal Access - We aim to address factors that have caused systemic disadvantages. We seek justice and fairness in the distribution of privileges, opportunities and resources, taking into account the unique circumstances or needs of individuals or groups. 

Teamwork — We seek to support complementary differences, and work together as a unified organization which models teamwork in serving the needs of the larger trails community.

Respect — We treat our staff, board members, colleagues, partners, and all members of the broader trails community with respect and dignity.

Responsibility and Accountability— We make sound fiscal decisions in order to generate the revenue that supports our work in service to our mission and vision, and we are transparent about how we run the organization. We are responsible for taking care of ourselves with healthy lifestyles, so we can be accountable to our colleagues and the larger trails community. 

Guiding Principles

American Trails seeks to support the trails community in creating more and better trails that promote the health of people, planet, and community prosperity with these guiding principles:

Accessibility: A national infrastructure of trails and greenways that are a part of everyday life and accessible to all people, regardless of, age, ability, income, or background. 

Connectivity and Engagement: Trail systems that link people and places, protect natural areas, and foster outdoor recreation, active transportation, and robust community participation. 

Stewardship: Enjoyable opportunities that are afforded to all trail users, especially those from disadvantaged or under-resourced populations, with a goal of fostering a sense of personal responsibility for trails, complemented by greater understanding and friendship between community members. 

Economic Sustainability and Resiliency: A trail system that contributes to the long-term financial strength and attractiveness of a community by enhancing locally-owned business opportunities, tourism, and property values, while ensuring broad public access and affordability. 

Learning and Appreciation: Inspiring trail experiences that cultivate an appreciation for our natural and cultural heritage, and educational and interpretive opportunities that promote understanding, skills development, and appreciation of the environment.

Healthy lifestyles: Improved fitness, mental health, and well-being for all people through trails and greenways as a form of preventative health care.

Best practices: Innovative, sustainable, and technically sound approaches that are understood and applied by decision makers in the planning, design, development, construction, and stewardship of high-quality trail systems.