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posted Jul 24, 2023

Trail Competency Framework

by The Eppley Institute for Parks and Public Lands at Indiana University

A group of nationwide trail professionals representing federal agencies, trail nonprofits, and the private sector initiated this project to develop a common trail competency framework, focusing on enhancing professionalism as well as a higher level of skill.

posted May 9, 2022

Hub for Information on Trail Users

Everything you need to know about trail counters, trail user surveys, and other information to better understand and engage your trail users.*

posted Apr 11, 2022

Impact of Trails Hub

Everything you need to know about the positive impact of trails on health, environment, economics, and more.

posted Feb 14, 2022

Trail Planning and Design Hub

Everything you need to know about trail planning and design for long lasting trails.

posted Jan 18, 2022

Shared-Use Trail Hub

Everything you need to know about planning, building, and managing shared-use trails.

posted Nov 9, 2021

Trail Accessibility Hub

Everything you need to know about planning, building, and maintaining accessible trails.

posted Aug 5, 2019

Planning Trails With Wildlife in Mind - Wildlife and Trails Primer

by American Trails Staff

The Primer provides discussion of broad wildlife topics, plus key concepts and rules of thumb to help with trail planning and management.

posted Aug 14, 2018

Fort River Birding and Nature Trail, Massachusetts

The one-mile trail provides a chance to enjoy the natural world at Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge.

posted Aug 14, 2018

Pomeroy and Newark Rail Trail, Delaware

This designated National Recreation Trail runs 4.18 miles through northern Delaware and includes Recreational Trails Program funding.

posted Jun 9, 2020

The Economic Impact of Greenways and Multi-Use Trails

A review of literature prepared as part of the Naugatuck River Greenway Economic Impact Study August, 2015


posted Jun 8, 2020

Historical Perspective on Racism in the Outdoors and Looking Forward

Putting the continued fight for equity in the outdoors into historical context, and finding ways to move forward.


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 May 29, 2020

The 2020 RTP Achievement Awards are Back on!

by American Trails Staff

The Coalition for Recreational Trails will host the 2020 achievement awards to recognize outstanding trail projects funded by the national Recreational Trails Program (RTP) virtually this year and will invite winners to in-person celebrations next year.


posted May 27, 2020

Action Alert: Please Support RTP By Sending Letters From Your Organizations

by Mike Passo with American Trails

Encouraging that HR 5797, “The Recreational Trails Program (RTP) Full Funding Act of 2020” be included in the transportation reauthorization bill currently being drafted


posted May 20, 2020

An Open Letter Encouraging Designating New National Recreation Trails

With no new National Recreation Trails (NRTs) designated in 2019, and the deadline for 2020 National Trails Day fast approaching, we are encouraging Secretary Bernhardt to uphold this tradition of honoring and celebrating our nation's trails and designating new NRTs. Please read and share our open letter.


posted May 20, 2020

How COVID-19 is Affecting the Trails Community

by Taylor Goodrich with American Trails

Recently American Trails conducted a survey of the trails community to find out how this pandemic has impacted trail projects, funding, volunteer work, and more. We also talked to trail users and medical professionals to get their perspective on what they would like to see from the outdoor recreation industry in response to COVID-19.


posted May 19, 2020

The Long Trails Project

by Portland State University, Oregon State Parks

This Long Trails Project has been conceived in partnership with the Oregon Parks Department to provide both a context and a definition for the Salmonberry Trail as part of a larger long trails network.


posted May 15, 2020

Physiological Fitness and Health Adaptations from Purposeful Training Using Off-Road Vehicles

The purpose of this study was to evaluate fitness and health adaptations from a training program riding all-terrain vehicles (ATV) and off-road motorcycles (ORM) as the exercise stimulus.


posted May 15, 2020

A Cross-Sectional Examination of the Physical Fitness and Selected Health Attributes of Recreational All-Terrain Vehicle Riders and Off-Road Motorcyclists

This study found that habitual off-road vehicle riders had physiological characteristics that were equivalent, or slightly superior, to members of the general population on important fitness and health variables.


posted May 15, 2020

Health-­Related Quality of Life of Habitual Recreational Off-­Road Vehicle Riders

The purpose of this study was to characterize the health-related QOL of Canadians who participate regularly in recreational off-road vehicle riding.


posted May 15, 2020

Physiological Demands of Off-Road Vehicle Riding

The purpose of this study was to characterize the physiological demands of recreational off-road vehicle riding under typical riding conditions using habitual recreational off-road vehicle riders.