Recommended Resources

Trail-Specific Recommended Resources

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published Jan 2019

Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plans (SCORPs)

by American Trails Staff

The Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP) serves as a guide for all public outdoor recreation in urban and rural neighborhoods, cities, and regions for a given state. Each state must prepare a SCORP every five years to be eligible for funding from the Land and Water Conservation Fund.


published Oct 2020

Teaching Kids to be Great Trail Stewards

by Taylor Goodrich with American Trails

Trails are an important resource, but sadly we are increasingly seeing trails abused by littering and vandalism. American Trails has created a packet to teach kids to be great trail stewards so the next generation of trail lovers can help lead the way towards better care for our trails.


published Jun 2008

Greenway Planning, Criteria, and Strategies for Implementation

Greenways provide numerous and diverse benefits to local municipalities and their residents. This plan focuses on the economic, ecological, recreational, social, and transportation benefits of greenways.


published Sep 2001

Wetland Trail Design and Construction

by Federal Highway Administration

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


published Mar 2022

Universal Access Trails and Shared Use Paths

by Larry Knutson with Penn Trails LLC

How can trail groups, local governments, and land trusts responsibly plan, develop, and operate trails that are accessible by all people, including those with limited mobility? What are best management practices? What is legally required? When is universal accessibility not appropriate?


published Aug 2013

Forest Service Trail Accessibility Guidelines (FSTAG)

by USDA Forest Service

The FSTAG and the Forest Service Outdoor Recreation Accessibility Guidelines (FSORAG) are the legally enforceable standards for use in outdoor recreation areas on the National Forest System for the facilities, routes, and features addressed in these guidelines.


published Jan 1999

Trail Maintenance Guidelines

by Santa Clara County Parks

This Trail Maintenance Manual was developed as a field guideline and procedure manual for Park staff responsible for the maintenance, construction, and operation of the Santa Clara County Parks trails’ system.


published Jan 2010

Smithsonian Guidelines for Accessible Exhibition Design

Exhibitions are complex presentations that convey concepts, showcase objects, and excite the senses. However, as museums recognize the diversity within their audiences, they realize that exhibitions must do more: exhibitions must teach to different learning styles, respond to issues of cultural and gender equity, and offer multiple levels of information. The resulting changes in exhibitions have made these presentations more understandable, enjoyable, and connected to visitors’ lives.


published Jun 2021

Federal Funding FAQ’s

by International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)

Understanding Federal Funding for Natural Surface Trails


published May 2009

Sustainable Trail Development

by International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA)

What is a sustainable trail? Building a sustainable trail system takes into account many factors. Most importantly, a sustainable trail should have as little impact to the environment as possible; this is accomplished through proper trail planning, design, construction and maintenance. A properly built trail will last for generations to come with little maintenance needed and will blend into the natural surroundings.


published Dec 2019

Best Practices in Trail Maintenance

by Purdue University, College of Engineering

This manual is intended for practical use by trail maintenance managers. It will also be useful for policy makers who are tasked with anticipating and planning for maintenance budget and personnel needs. The recommendations included in this manual were chosen, in part, to facilitate widespread adoption by other trail operators. They are cost-effective solutions that require minimal technological or financial commitments.


published Sep 2006

Trail Design for Small Properties

Trail Design for Small Properties provides simple, inexpensive solutions for designing, building, and maintaining sustainable trials—trails for hiking, horseback riding, bicycling, cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, off-highway motorcycles (OHMs), and all-terrain vehicles (ATVs).