published Dec 31, 2009

Armand Bayou Hiking Trail Restoration Project, Texas

Funded by a Recreational Trails Program grant from Texas' state trails program, this trail rehabilitation project at a nonprofit nature center used a wide variety of funding and volunteer assistance.

posted Mar 1, 2018

Colorado Fourteeners Initiative’s Sustainable Trails Program

by Colorado Fourteeners Initiative

Colorado’s iconic “Fourteeners,” the 54 peaks exceeding 14,000 feet in elevation, draw an estimated 500,000 hiker use days annually from state residents and out-of-state tourists.

posted Feb 28, 2018

2017 NRT Photo Contest Winners

by American Trails Staff

American Trails sponsors the annual Photo Contest for designated National Recreation Trails. In celebration of these great trails we are presenting awards in several categories to highlight the diversity of NRTs, from backcountry trails to urban greenways. Here are our picks from the 275 entries for 2017.

posted Feb 5, 2018

Operations, Maintenance, and Stewardship 101

by Robert Searns with Robert Searns & Associates

It's not as glamorous as building the trail. There is no ribbon cutting for a maintenance program and seldom does upkeep win a national award. Yet, operations, maintenance, and stewardship are essential to the safe use, enjoyment, and long-term success of any trail.

posted Feb 5, 2018

IMBA Trail Labs: Training to Spur Trail Development

by Katherine Fuller with International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)

Is your community the next great mountain biking community? What does it mean to embrace bicycles on natural-surface trails and how do community leaders and land managers get started?

published Aug 3, 2003

Design and Management for Backcountry Horse Trails

by Jim Murphy with Back Country Horsemen of America

Trail conflict occurs: among different user groups, among different users within the same group, and as a result of factors not related to a users' trail activities.

posted Jan 24, 2018

How Accessible Recreation Facilities Benefit Everyone

by R. Brian Kermeen with USDA Forest Service

Like most areas managed by the Forest Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, the central Sierra Nevada has steep and mountainous terrain. Most of our facilities evolved over time or were designed 30 years ago with no consideration for the needs of persons with disabilities.

published Sep 1, 2001

Wetland Trail Design and Construction

by Federal Highway Administration

This manual describes the common techniques for building a wetland trail.

published Dec 1, 2007

Equestrian Design Guidebook for Trails, Trailheads, and Campgrounds

by Jan Hancock with Hancock Resources LLC, Federal Highway Administration, USDA Forest Service

This guidebook provides practical guidelines for developing recreation environments that are sensitive to the needs of riders and their stock.

published Aug 1, 1996

Stock-Drawn Equipment for Trail Work

by USDA Forest Service

Locating replacement parts for the stock-drawn hillside plows of yesteryear.