About Rails-to-Trails Conservancy and Rail-Trails

If you love bicycling in the great outdoors, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is powering a movement that redefines outdoor adventure. Since 1986, Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has helped transform more than 15,000 miles of unused railroad corridor throughout the United States into the world’s greatest bicycling trail system for you to enjoy.

Most of these corridors are located in beautiful spots: river valleys, along lake shores, or bordering forest lands. Some run their ribbons of open space through cities, suburbs and farmlands. And because they are all carefully graded on gentle terrain they make perfect bicycling trails.

Bicycling on Rail-Trails

From coast-to-coast and in all varieties, there’s bound to be a rail-trail tailor-made for you. Rail-trails range from rural to urban settings; some are long enough to cross multiple states while others travel just a few blocks. Most are flat, but some even offer mountain bike-ready adventures. More than 75 percent of rail-trails allow biking, making them one of the best sources of biking trails in the county.

Rail-trails offer safe and scenic biking opportunities, whether you want to recreate, commute to work or school, exercise, or just experience the outdoors. On rail-trails you can also enjoy the physical health benefits of bicycling—a low impact, aerobic workout that requires a minimal investment in equipment and time. It’s an activity you can easily fit into your every day life, for the rest of your life, and share with family and friends.

With more than 15,000 miles of rail-trail available in the United States—and 9,500 more miles in development—you’re bound to find a great bicycling trail near you.