RTC and its partners have defined the preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail as more than 3,700 miles—with approximately 2,057 miles of existing trails (trails along the route that are built and maintained by dedicated teams of local staff and volunteers) and 1,696 miles of identified trail gaps.

In June 2021, my husband, Pat, and I began our trek on the Great American Rail-Trail® in Seattle, Washington, at the western end of the 3,700-mile developing route.

When someone says “Idaho,” most people think of potatoes, but the Weiser River National Recreation Trail demonstrates there is so much more to the landscape and the people. Traveling 84 miles—from forested terrain through canyons and onto the high prairie in the west-central part of the state—there is an ever-changing beauty that evokes an appreciation of the region and the forward-thinking individuals who sought to preserve the corridor.

RTC embarked on a 12-month assessment of route options using its GIS database of more than 34,000 miles of existing trails nationwide.

Just in time for Presidents’ Day, here are 10 multiuse trails that share ties with some notable U.S. heads of state.

Urban, rural, or a bit on the wild side, Idaho has trails that are as diverse as the state’s topography. Here are a few of our favorites.

RTC talked to several long-distance bicyclists who have taken on the Great American Rail trail alread.

This report, Great American Rail-Trail Route Assessment, was originally published by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC) in May 2019. This updated version was published in May 2021.

The Portneuf Greenway is a developing trail system that aims to connect the entire Portneuf River valley, including Pocatello and neighboring Chubbuck.