Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

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Great American Rail-Trail

Going Coast to Coast by Rail-Trail

Imagine it: traveling nearly 4,000 miles by trail from Washington, D.C., to Washington State. Along the way, visiting hundreds of communities—large and small—and experiencing the diversity of landscapes, people and places our country has to offer.

That's the vision behind the Great American Rail-Trail—our most ambitious project yet!

See the view from the gateway trails along the Great American Rail-Trail.

Read REI's feature on the Co-Op Journal.

Trail of the Month Casting a Shadow of Greatness Learn how a booming coal economy, the railroads and a legendary groundhog helped create a beloved recreational resource. Visit the Mahoning Shadow Trail, February's Trail of the Month.

Features 13 Ways to Celebrate Opening Day for Trails Our annual celebration of the trails we all love is just around the corner! Looking for great ways to get out on the trail this April 13 for Opening Day for Trails? We've got 13 ways for you to celebrate!

All the Signs Were There Decades before America fell in love with New York City's High Line, its rails set a couple on the pathway to romance—a journey that continues to this very day.

Retracing the Underground Railroad by Rail-Trail Visit five rail-trails that trace the route of the Underground Railroad—and help preserve the history of the risky flight from slavery to freedom.

Trail Policy State of the States As 2019 gets underway, RTC’s state policy team has its antenna up for new opportunities to fund trails at the state level—and continue to build momentum for trail building nationwide. Get a summary on the state of the states for trails, walking and biking.

Trails Transform America Preserving a Great Plains Legacy Welcome to Nebraska’s tallgrass prairie, a rapidly disappearing ecosystem that Nebraskans are racing to preserve—and they hope to do just that with a new corridor and trail: the Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch. See how the Prairie Corridor on Haines Branch is transforming Nebraska. See how Trails Transform America.

TrailLink.com Five Hot Destinations for the Winter Cold Want to switch the winter blues for the azure colors of the ocean? These five trails offer warm-weather destinations to enjoy pristine beaches, wildlife-rich parks and other beautiful outdoor spaces. And you can find other great trails to get outside and explore on TrailLink.com.