About Us

WHO WE ARE and WHAT WE DO

American Trails is the only national, nonprofit organization working on behalf of all trail interests, including hiking, bicycling, mountain biking, horseback riding, water trails, snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, trail motorcycling, ATVs, snowmobiling and four-wheeling. American Trails members want to create and protect America’s network of interconnected trails.

We support local, regional, and long-distance trails and greenways, whether they be in backcountry, rural or urban areas. Our goal is to support America’s trails by finding common ground and promoting cooperation among all trail interests. Since our formation in 1988 we’ve been involved in everything from training trails advocates to increasing accessible trail opportunities for persons with disabilities.

Mission of American Trails

American Trails strives to enrich the quality of life for all people and the sustainable development of communities by advancing and promoting the development, preservation, and enjoyment of diverse, high quality trails and greenways.

Vision Statement

American Trails envisions trails within 15 minutes of every American home, school, and workplace American Trails envisions a network of diverse, high quality trails for all people and a trail within 15 minutes of every home, school, and workplace.

Our work includes:

• Fostering cooperation and communication among all trail users
• Coordinating the National Trails Symposium every two years: in Arizona in 2013; in 2010 in Chattanooga, Tennessee; in 2008 in Little Rock, Arkansas; in 2006 in Quad Cities (Illinois and Iowa); 2004 in Austin, Texas; 2002 in Orlando, Florida; 2000 in Redding, California.
• Hosting the National Trails Awards program: see the award winners for 2010 - 2008 - 2006 - 2004 - 2002 - 2000
• Revitalizing the National Recreation Trails program with the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, Bureau of Land Management, U. S. Fish & Wildlife Service, and other agencies and national organizations
• Producing the American Trails Magazine, the premier news publication for all trail advocates and managers
• Providing technical assistance and resources for trails and greenways
• Working with agencies and trail organizations to develop the National Trails Training Partnership
• Maintaining a clearinghouse of trails training resources and an online calendar of training opportunities
• Providing trail skills workshops for local groups to host, including Universal Trail Assessment Process training
• Informing the trails community on agency guidelines, legal issues, and ways to improve the accessibility of trails
• Sharing information and providing assistance to America’s State Trails Programs
• Bringing news of opportunities, jobs, and grant programs to trails activists
• Supporting funding for trails through State, Federal, and private programs
• Promoting national policy, The Future of Trails and Greenways in America, to Congress, the White House, key agency heads, and the national news media
• Participating in hearings, and task forces on federal land management issues
• Interpreting Congressional action and legislation for local trail supporters

Do you find the resources on our website valuable? Then please join American Trails today to support the work we do to keep you on the cutting-edge! Memberships begin at $25/year for individuals, $50/year for other nonprofit/volunteer groups, and $100/year for businesses.

Join online now!

Contact us:

American Trails
P.O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797
Telephone: (530) 547-2060
Fax: (530) 547-2035
E-mail: trailhead@americantrails.org