Sort: Date Posted Title

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 Oct 4, 2022

Ku Stevens, A Runner with a Cause

by Cathy Corlett with American Trails

The future looks bright for this self-motivated athlete with a social and environmental conscience.


posted Oct 3, 2022

Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge Trail System, Virginia

The trail system consists of seven trails, accessible from the Visitor Center, that provide the opportunity to observe the seven distinct habitats of Back Bay National Wildlife Refuge (BBNWR).


posted Oct 3, 2022

GEOWEB® Geocells Repairs Storm-Damaged Recreational Trails Along Maine’s Coastline

by Sue Crowe

GEOWEB® panels are used to reconstruct Kittery Point's walking trail and maintenance road.


posted Oct 3, 2022

Recreational Trails Program Highlight: Tennessee State Parks Tires to Trails Program

by Sue Crowe

Tennessee State Parks Win National Award for Tires to Trails Program


posted Sep 6, 2022

Seven Mile Loop Trail, Florida

This 7.25-mile-long trail offers hikers and cyclists access to some of Florida’s unique habitats – salt marsh, tidal creeks, coastal estuary, oak hammock, and pine flatwoods – as they follow two-track limestone paths left from historic uses of this land.


posted Sep 6, 2022

Recreational Trails Program Highlight: Brighton Park, Ohio

by Sue Crowe

Brighton Park, formerly the Henninger Landfill, was a construction and demolition debris landfill in the Old Brooklyn neighborhood of Cleveland that ceased operation in the 1980s.


posted Aug 31, 2022

Trail Terms

by Jim Schmid

Trail, Greenway, and Outdoor Recreation Terms


posted Aug 18, 2022

Biden-Harris Administration to Help Rural Communities Grow Outdoor Recreation Economy

The Outdoor Recreation Roundtable (ORR) Applauds Biden Administration’s Assistance to Communities to Grow Outdoor Recreation Economies


posted Aug 17, 2022

Pacific Crest Train Assn. Crew Leadership: Managing Volunteers

by Pacific Crest Trail Association

For students with moderate to extensive trail building experience who want to lead trail crews and work parties. Not a construction techniques class; this is about effective leadership. Students will have classroom and field work in the following topics: work day responsibilities, risk assessment and safety, tool safety and tool talk, leadership and team building, practical experience leading volunteers.


posted Aug 17, 2022

Colorado Trail Foundation Crew Leader Handbook

by The Colorado Trail Foundation

As a crew leader you represent the CTF. One of your main jobs is to convey the CTF’s thanks to the volunteers for their commitment to making and preserving The Colorado Trail as a national treasure.


posted Aug 17, 2022

Appalachian Mountain Club 2022 Outdoor Leader Handbook

by Appalachian Mountain Club

Outdoor leadership skills can be developed and improved over time through a combination of self-study, formal training and experience. Leadership trainings are offered frequently by volunteers and staff of the AMC. The trainings range from a single day to a weekend. If you are looking for additional training, the AMC offers several courses each season through the Guided Outdoors program.


posted Aug 17, 2022

Volunteers for Outdoor Arizona Crew Leader Manual

by Volunteers for Outdoor Arizona

This manual has been written to aid crew leaders working with trail work volunteers. It assumes the following priorities, in order of importance, for every volunteer trail work event: 1) Safety, 2) Enjoyment, 3) Quality product, 4) Productivity.