Rails to Trails Conservancy

Tune in as our team explores the impact of Celebrate Trails Day this year and the difference that time spent on the trail can make in our lives and communities.

On the fourth Saturday of April, this annual springtime celebration brought people together on trails for walks, runs, rides, volunteer activities, community festivals and more—creating a powerful day of collective joy, impact and action for the nation’s pathways. With America’s upcoming 250-year milestone and RTC's 40th anniversary this year, we set out to make the 2026 Celebrate Trails Day
the biggest and best yet.

It was an extraordinary day. Thank you to everyone who participated, our 380 partners, and the 2026 supporting organizations who made it such a special celebration.

We hope it inspires everyone to keep celebrating and showing up on trails all year long!

Fueling up with for ALL the activities at with in Denver!

Come along with me as we…
🎵 Jam out to music
🚲 Meet with folks in the activation space with to talk trails and how anyone can help make it easier and safer to walk, bike and where they live—and shared some pretzel snacks to keep the energy going strong
👟 Walk 46,391 steps while exploring all the exhibits, acts and experiences at the festival
🌲 Learn about connecting in nature
🎉And more!

Thank you to for helping to power us up with pretzels. We’ve got some exciting twists to share about our partnership—coming soon!

Check out the newest issue of magazine to explore how trails have transformed the American experience.

Today, the nation’s multiuse trails stretch more than 42,500 miles—and those trails are being connected into networks that reach into rural, urban and suburban communities in every state—making it safer to walk, bike and be active outside.

These trails create routes that bring our country’s history to life, like Pennsylvania’s Delaware & Lehigh Trail—the cover story—which follows the intertwined path of the American and Industrial revolutions, while providing opportunity in countless ways.

With stories connected by the theme of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, fueled by our nation’s trails, this special edition brings to life America’s 250th through the lens of trails.

Read the new spring/summer issue at RailsToTrails.org/Magazine

From happy hours to brunch, networking to learning, old friends to new connections, our time with for and the Industry Conference was meaningful. We’re charged up to spread the joy of trails to the country and to advocate for the impact these space deliver to all of us. We can’t wait to see all of the people who care about creating and connecting trails during this weekend. Find us this weekend with talking up access to nature and safe spaces to be active outside. We can’t wait to hear your stories and !

Yesterday, the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee’s surface transportation bill, the BUILD America 250 Act, passed out of committee, which means it moves on to the next round of debate in Congress.

This bill is fundamental to America’s trails. It defines the priorities for the country’s transportation investment, including trails, walking and biking. And while this bill doesn’t represent the draconian cuts to active transportation initially threatened by Congressional leaders, it is far from a victory lap, making it harder for places to build out the connected active transportation infrastructure Americans want and need.

During the T&I Committee’s vote, Congressman Chris Pappas of New Hampshire shared why the Active Transportation Infrastructure Investment Program, which the new bill repeals, is so important to Americans, holding up the letter that RTC and 260 other organizations signed calling for ATIIP’s inclusion in the next surface transportation bill.

When introducing an amendment to extend ATIIP through 2031, Rep. Pappas said, “Supporting active transportation and providing robust funding for it is critical to meet the growing demands of all types of communities ... For convenient, accessible, well-maintained biking and walking routes, trails, sidewalks, and bikeways make connections that are essential.”

We couldn’t agree more. His message is vital as the House continues debate on this bill and the Senate considers what to prioritize in the version it develops. Read more about RTC’s perspective on the bill at https://www.railstotrails.org/trailblog/congress-takes-first-step-on-new-transportation-law/