Great American
Rail-Trail Route

Stretching more than 3,700 miles between Washington, D.C., and Washington State

The Preferred Route

The preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail connects 150+ existing rail-trails, greenways and other multiuse paths spanning more than 3,700 miles. These trails are hosting the Great American through their communities, making possible this grand vision of a nation connected by trails. And with more than 55% of the route already on the ground, now is the time to experience the Great American Rail-Trail! Explore the Great American Rail-Trail map above to learn more about the route and to find trails you can visit today.

Great American Rail-Trail Route Interactive Map

Great American Rail-Trail interactive map (2023) - Image courtesy RTC
Great American Rail-Trail interactive map (2023) | Image courtesy RTC

Explore the interactive map to learn more about the Great American route. View video tutorial.

STATES ON ROUTE
TRAILS ON ROUTE
DOWNLOAD MAP

Mountain West Detour Route

RTC and Adventure Cycling Association partnered to develop a temporary detour route for the 960-mile gap between Chadron, Nebraska, and St. Regis, Montana.

Preparing For The Great American

The “Great American” Criteria

Key to the process of defining the preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail with states and trail partners was confirming a route across the country that would provide the highest-quality experience for all types of trail users—from long-distance cyclists and runners to casual daily explorers and everyone in between. Trail criteria were developed to ensure the Great American Rail-Trail would provide safe, nonmotorized travel on a route that is entirely walkable and bikeable. These trail criteria specify that:

  • The Great American Rail-Trail be one contiguous route that is reasonably direct between Washington, D.C., and Washington State, and across each of the states it traverses.
  • It will be separated from vehicle traffic—a minimum of 80 percent initially and ultimately entirely separated when the trail is complete.
  • It will comprise existing trails to the extent possible and will represent trail priorities of the states and local jurisdictions that will host it.
  • It will follow the most feasible route with regards to topography, geography and political priorities.
  • It will serve as a catalyst for local economic development, including providing services for long-distance travelers.
Download Criteria

States on Route

The Great American Rail-Trail is a trail for everyone—separated from vehicle traffic, with gentle grades and an unparalleled experience. Key to the process of defining the preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail was confirming a route across the country that would provide the highest-quality experience for all types of trail users—from long-distance cyclists and runners to casual daily explorers and everyone in between.

RTC worked in close partnership with dozens of state agency representatives and hundreds of trail partners from across the country to assess and define the preferred route for the Great American to ensure a contiguous and reasonably direct route as well as one that complemented state priorities. This is America’s trail, and it is the trail of each of the states that will call it home.

Washington, D.C. Trails Along the Great American

D.C. and Maryland’s Capital Crescent Trail | Photo by Hung Tran

Route Through Washington, D.C.

Maryland Trails Along the Great American

D.C. and Maryland’s C&O Canal Towpath | Photo by Kathleen Richardson

Route Through Maryland

Pennsylvania Trails Along the Great American

Pennsylvania’s Montour Trail | Photo by TrailLink user racethestatenj

Route Through Pennsylvania

West Virginia Trails Along the Great American

West Virginia’s and Pennsylvania’s Panhandle Trail | Photo by Robin L. Woods

Route Through West Virginia

Ohio Trails Along the Great American

Ohio’s Ohio to Erie Trail | Photo by TrailLink user epet4mail

Route Through Ohio

Indiana Trails Along the Great American

Indiana’s Cardinal Greenway | Photo by Tony Valainis

Route Through Indiana

Illinois Trails Along the Great American

Illinois’ Hennepin Canal Parkway | Photo courtesy Hennepin Hundred

Route Through Illinois

Iowa Trails Along the Great American

Iowa’s Cedar Valley Nature Trail | Photo by Liz Zabel, courtesy GO Cedar Rapids

Route Through Iowa

Nebraska Trails Along the Great American

Nebraska’s Cowboy Recreation and Nature Trail | Photo by TrailLink user marty_watts

Route Through Nebraska

Wyoming Trails Along the Great American

Wyoming’s Casper Rail Trail | Photo by Laura Stark

Route Through Wyoming

Montana Trails Along the Great American

Montana’s Headwaters Trail System | Photo by Scott Stark

Route Through Montana

Idaho Trails Along the Great American

Idaho’s Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes | Photo by TrailLink user dj123_45

Route Through Idaho

Washington Trails Along the Great American

Washington’s Olympic Discovery Trail | Photo courtesy Kara Patajo

Route Through Washington

Trails on Route

Explore Trails on TrailLink

Washington, D.C.

Maryland

Pennsylvania

West Virginia

Ohio

Indiana

Illinois

Iowa

Nebraska

Wyoming

Montana

Idaho

Washington

Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - More than 55 percent complete
Great American Rail-Trail 2023 Infographic - 150 existing trails hosting route and 80 trail gaps

More than 150+ trails will host the Great American Rail-Trail. Protecting these trails through advocacy, volunteerism and donations is key to bringing the vision of the Great American to life.

Learn about Host Trails

Meet the Gateway Trails

In every state along the Great American Rail-Trail route, iconic trails make possible this grand vision of a nation connected by trails. These trails have been built through the hard work and ingenuity of the trails community—nonprofit partners, state agencies and volunteers who have rolled up their sleeves to protect and preserve these priceless corridors.

Here are the gateways to the Great American Rail-Trail from east to west:

Shop Great American Rail-Trail Gear

Great American Rail-Trail gear promo | Photo by Albert Ting and graphic by RTC
Photo by Albert Ting, graphic by RTC

Shop Great American Rail-Trail gear including a jersey, t-shirt, socks and gaiter to celebrate the trail connecting the country.

Shop Great American Rail-Trail Gear

Support the Great American Rail-Trail

The Great American Rail-Trail will stand alongside our country’s iconic landmarks as a national treasure. You can help by making a gift to RTC, supporting the national leadership and on-the-ground support—the work to organize people, plans and ideas; trail planning and community engagement; the advocacy and marketing that is necessary to completing the Great American Rail-Trail.

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