EXECUTIVE SUMMARY THE GREAT AMERICAN RAIL-TRAIL VISION Imagine pedaling across the entire country on a safe, seamless and scenic pathway—or walking a local trail that connects you to historic routes from coast to coast. You’re enthralled in the experience of exploring America’s heritage—its potential, its beauty and bounty, its people and places. Consider the intimacy […]

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is leading a national study to better understand the barriers to trail use with a particular focus on race and gender. Our research is built upon regional and national survey instruments developed and implemented over the past 18 months, with a goal of better understanding how the trails movement can support efforts to bring more […]

Join trail professionals from around the United States for an in-depth discussion around data collection along trails. Panelists share how they have developed trail traffic monitoring programs, on the local, regional and national level, as well as how they are collecting more detailed information about who is using their trails. The discussion includes a focus […]

The Ohio & Erie Canal Towpath Trail is a developing 101-mile trail that connects dozens of Northeast Ohio communities. With 87 miles on the ground, this trail is an important economic asset in the region and a critical link in the Cleveland to Pittsburgh corridor, part of the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition’s 1,500-miles-plus regional trail […]

Trail Impact Survey prepared by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy to help investigate in the economic impact of trails. 

The Delaware & Hudson (D&H) Rail-Trail is a multi-use stone trail located in rural northeast Pennsylvania that has significant snowmobile use. It generally follows the border of Susquehanna and Wayne counties and reaches to the New York state line from its southern terminus near the city of Carbondale.  From December 2015 through October 2017, Rails-to-Trails […]

The Mon River Trail System is a vibrant 48-mile rail-trail network in north central West Virginia and a critical link in the Parkersburg to Pittsburgh connection envisioned by the Industrial Heartland Trails Coalition. The Mon River Trail System Economic Impact study revealed the system’s impact on the region and Monongalia County’s growing economy, where business […]

This report summarizes a study of the business impact of the Mon River Trails System (MRTS), a network of 48 miles of trails in north-central West Virginia that has been in operation in-whole or in-part since 1998. The findings from the work are applicable for many audiences, including trail advocates, elected officials, economic development entities […]

Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has conducted surveys along trails in Pennsylvania and New Jersey for over 10 years. This infographic shows the aggregate responses for rural trails from surveys conducted from 2006 to 2016.

Multi-use trails bring recreational and health qualities to regions, but what is overlooked sometimes is the overall economic impact along with the increased livability that these trails can inevitably bring. This study looks into how small town south Louisiana has embraced its very own rail-trail, the Tammany “Trace,” as the clear recreational jewel and envy […]