Sort: Date Posted Title

posted Feb 15, 2021

Five Iconic Trails Under 50 Miles

by Amy Camp with Cycle Forward

A trail need not be over 100 miles in length to become a travel destination. Plenty of people desire shorter trail experiences and are willing to design a trip around them just the same.


posted Nov 13, 2020

PedNet is Making a Difference on the Ground in Missouri

by Josh Adams

American Trails contributor Josh Adams recently interviewed Lawrence Simonson, who serves as the Chief Strategy Officer of the PedNet Coalition, to talk pedestrian safety, projects and obstacles, and making a difference in Missouri.


posted Aug 14, 2020

Why Trails?

by American Trails

Whether hiking, bicycling, riding on horseback or participating in motorized recreation nearly everyone uses trails for a similar goal – to spend time outdoors. This time outside, whether a short walk down a paved trail to work in an urban setting, or a hike to a point reachable to only a few Americans makes trail users happier people.


posted Jul 15, 2020

American Trails “Shovel-ready” Trail Project Survey

The purpose of the American Trails “Shovel-ready” Trail Project Survey, conducted between May 13th and 30th, 2020, was to document the contribution the trails community can make to the American economic response to and recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.


posted Jan 21, 2020

The Health Benefits of Motorized Trail Riding

by Trail Riders Fellowship (TRF)

Trail Riding promotes physical activity in those who might otherwise forego exercise altogether. All physical activity is beneficial.


posted Jun 30, 2020

Sustainable Advantage

An in-depth exploration of outdoor recreation in rural California.


posted Jun 5, 2020

Ever Wonder How to Become a JEDI Knight?

It likely comes as little surprise that our trails community does not currently include the full spectrum of people it could. Charles Thomas, executive director of Outward Bound Adventures, is the Obi Wan of JEDI Trail Knights with 40 years of experience bringing more diversity to our trails. At the 2019 International Trails Symposium he spoke about the understanding and motivation to help make trails a transformative place for people of all ages, backgrounds, and abilities.


posted Jul 30, 2020

Merced River Trail Community Benefits Study

by Headwaters Economics

The purpose of this report is to describe the economic, quality of life, public health, and other benefits that Mariposa County and its residents are likely to enjoy from the Merced River Trail based on research and experiences of communities with similar projects.


posted Apr 13, 2020

Five Reasons Trail Research Matters

by Taylor Goodrich with American Trails

Trails are invaluable assets to any community, and when it comes to procuring funding, building coalitions, providing the best trail access, and more, trail research is one of the best tools available for showing that worth.


posted Mar 18, 2020

The Respite of Trails and Outdoor Recreation

by Mike Passo with American Trails

America’s incomparable system of national scenic, historic, and recreational trails is the perfect way to sustain your mental and physical health, while maintaining the social distancing that is required in these challenging times.


posted Mar 10, 2020

Unifying the Trails Community

by American Trails Staff

By recognizing the common goals that all trail user types share, and fighting for those goals together, it is possible to create a real and positive impact on the trails world.


posted Oct 5, 2020

The Economic Value of Trails in Arizona

As a compliment to the Arizona State Parks 2020 Trails Plan, this study estimates the economic value of non-motorized and motorized trail use to Arizona residents using the travel cost method.