Chances are, there’s a rail trail near you. Since 1986, the Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) has turned abandoned and unused railway corridors into multi-use paths. As the conservancy says in its mission statement, “we are building a nation connected by trails. We reimagine public spaces to create safe ways for everyone to walk, bike and be active outdoors.” You’ll also find runners, wheelchair users, inline skaters, and sometimes even cross-country skiers or horseback riders on the more than 25,000 miles of open rail trails.
The RTC recently noticed a tipping point in rail trail appreciation. “We used to say there’s a rail-trail in every single state, and now we can say there’s at least one developing trail network in every state,” said Brandi Horton, vice president of communications for the RTC, in a statement. “It matters so much because it illustrates the relevance of trail networks to the nation. This is happening literally everywhere in America.”
Here are five of the most exciting RTC developments from 2023.
Hit up the Texas Panhandle for one of the state’s coolest running trails. Located in the small Texas town of Canyon, Palo Duro Canyon State Park appeals to outdoorsy adventurers who value the iconic “rugged beauty” of rocky canyons. Known by some as the “Grand Canyon of Texas,” Palo Duro Canyon is perfect for everything from geocaching and hiking to mountain biking and trail running.
Speaking of trail running, every sporty visitor who explores this stunning landscape should know about the park’s best running trail. Also one of the best hiking trails in Texas, Lighthouse Trail offers runners a rewarding challenge. Here’s what you should know and what you can see when running the Lighthouse Trail.
Glacier National Park’s Avalanche Lake Trail is one of the best hikes in Montana. Some hikers may even consider it the best hike in America. Join us on a trek through the woods to see what makes Avalanche Lake so special.
Two key factors help determine a trail’s popularity: accessibility and scenery. Spectacular views draw people to a trail, and accessibility ensures that those visitors can actually enjoy exploring the trail. While few trails are accessible to all people, the Avalanche Lake hike’s moderate difficulty makes it manageable for a wide audience of hikers. Plus, the Trail of the Cedars section of the hike is accessible using off-road wheelchairs.
Now, let’s dive into the scenery you can look forward to during your Avalanche Lake hike. If you’re looking for crystal clear waters and breathtaking natural landscapes, you’re in luck. Here are seven photos showing off the best of Glacier National Park’s Avalanche Lake hike.
Washington state’s Mount Rainier National Park draws in visitors from all over the world. The park’s outstanding landscapes and inviting trails make it a treat for outdoorsy adventurers. But did you know it’s also a great place for trail runners looking for a challenge?
One of the region’s most captivating trail running spots is none other than Skyline Trail, aka Skyline Loop. With an elevation gain of roughly 1,700 feet and a round-trip distance of about 5.5 miles, this hiking/running trail welcomes athletic guests who want a strenuous workout. Runners brave enough to tackle this loop trail will be rewarded with some truly life-changing views. Get a sneak peek at those sights with these photos of Mount Rainier’s Skyline Trail.
When you run daily, it’s easy to fall into a rhythm. Usually, this is good! For athletes, getting into a groove can feel great. The problems start when that groove starts to get boring. Every day, you’re running the same route, seeing the same sights, and nodding politely at the same people on the street. If you don’t find a way to switch things up, you might even start to lose your motivation to workout. Sound familiar? Don’t worry, there’s a way out. Sometimes, the key to reigniting your passion for running is to find a new route. Get inspired with this list of some of the most stunning and iconic running trails in the United States.
Chesapeake & Ohio Canal National Historical Park spans Maryland, Washington D.C., and West Virginia. Within this sprawling park, the wildly popular Billy Goat Trail branches into three sections — A, B, and C. As of November 2023, Section B is closed due to erosion and trail damage. Even with this section closed, Billy Goat Trail remains “one of the busiest trails in the D.C. area.”
What brings so many hikers to this trail? Visitors report enjoying the challenge of navigating rock scrambles while traveling along the scenic Potomac River. If you’re planning a trip to Billy Goat Trail, discover what you can expect there with this helpful photo guide.
Venture into the wonderful world of White Sands National Park. Miles of bright white sand make this New Mexico park a uniquely gorgeous place for hiking. Trails travel along the dunes and treat visitors to a look at the hypnotic landscapes, curious critters, and intriguing plants found throughout the desert. Before you take a trip to the park, explore this guide to the region’s three best hiking trails.
As you might expect, a desert hike will expose you to a lot of sunlight. Protect yourself from sunburn with a quality sunscreen, and bring more than enough water. You don’t want to ruin a great hike with dehydration or burns. If you need to replace any old or unreliable hiking gear, check out this gear guide before your park visit.
Now that you’re geared up for a desert adventure, here are the three best hiking trails at White Sands National Park.
Hikers in Indiana have the privilege of living near the gorgeous Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail. Located southwest of Indianapolis in English, Indiana, this loop trail takes hikers on a 1.2-mile journey through Hoosier National Forest. The unique location’s mix of weird and wonderful scenery makes it perfect for a day of outdoor exploration.
What can hikers expect to see on the Hemlock Cliffs National Scenic Trail? As a forest trail, the trek will treat visitors to verdant green canopies in the summer and spring. Hikers seeking diverse sights can also search for the region’s seasonal waterfalls and “honeycombed” sandstone. Preview these curious landmarks in the virtual hiking gallery below.
Traveling with bug-crazy kids this summer? Ohio’s new Hocking Hills Butterfly Trail offers a family-friendly outdoors experience that’s educational and fun. Just download your printable map, passport, and butterfly coloring book before your trip. Then you can follow the map to the 14 butterfly stations and mark them off on your passport.
The trail includes 14 locations where visitors can stop and look for butterflies. To make this more appealing to screen generations, each place has a selfie station where you can pose in front of massive wings accurately depicting the featured butterfly species. Wing stations are open from sunrise to sunset (after that, you’ll turn into a moth.) Visitors will also learn about butterfly habitats, lifecycle, and food sources.
Photo courtesy of Explore Hocking Hills
“Hocking Hills Butterfly Trail encourages stewardship of our natural areas by demonstrating how important pollinators are to the wellbeing of the very thing visitors come to here to experience: nature and wildlife,” Explore Hocking Hills Executive Director Karen Raymore said in a statement. “A diverse group of partners came together to implement the trail, creating outstanding visitor experiences that educate while making each stop fun and interactive.”
At the Hocking Hills Regional Welcome Center, visitors can witness the whole monarch butterfly lifecycle. From May to August, the young caterpillars feed and prepare for some chrysalis time. They emerge as monarchs between late August and October. Guests can participate in monarch migration research by tagging the butterflies and bidding them adios as they begin migrating to Mexico.
Releasing monarchs. / Photo courtesy of Explore Hocking Hills
The Butterfly Ridge Conservation Center is another special stop along the trail. There, you can take guided hikes across the pollinator-friendly prairie, forest, and gardens. Check the schedule for special workshops, and pick up seeds to plant a butterfly habitat once you go home. Some summer Saturday nights also feature moth safaris.
Photo courtesy of Explore Hocking Hills
The 14 featured butterflies are the monarch, great-spangled fritillary, orange sulfur, silver-spotted skipper, clouded sulfur, red admiral, pipevine swallowtail, viceroy, red-spotted purple, pearl crescent, hackberry emperor, eastern tiger swallowtail, spicebush swallowtail, and eastern comma.
Photo courtesy of Explore Hocking Hills
The Hocking Hills are located about 50 miles southeast of Columbus and are known for various outdoor activities. You can camp, glamp, kayak, canoe, ride horses, stargaze, rock climb, rappel, and do lots of other fun things — all while keeping an eye out for butterflies.
Most avid hikers have a few favorite trails. Whether you like coastal climbs or forest paths, there are plenty of wonderful hiking trails throughout the United States that will suit your preferences. While individual tastes vary, a handful of stunning hiking trails stand out as crowd favorites across the country. If you’re curious about which locations make the list of the best hiking trails in the U.S., explore this gallery of nine dreamy destinations. These popular spots will take you from lush landscapes along the Appalachian Trail to colorful canyons near Buckskin Gulch. Lace up your hiking boots and get ready to explore!
