
I’m passionate about the Trail Town model and have devoted the last 18 years of my life to the topic. Wow, just writing that is really kind of staggering to me! It’s more than just work for me. I feel deeply devoted to helping communities, trail managers, and entire regions figure out how to create stronger, more meaningful connections between trails and communities.
I’ve probably given hundreds of presentations on the topic, and with each new presentation some people in the audience are hearing about “Trail Towns” for the very first time. One such instance at the 2023 International Trails Summit inspired me to try to answer some of the FAQs. Nearly all of these topics are addressed in my book, Deciding on Trails: 7 Practices of Healthy Trail Towns, but my thinking continues to evolve, so there are also some new ideas and resources tucked into this post.
So, please read on if you want to know more about Trail Towns! And let me know in the comments what questions you hope to see answered in Part 2.
What does it mean to be a Trail Town?
This is the most basic question I’ve been asked over the years. I think of it in two ways.
1. First, there are communities that are part of organized Trail Town and Gateway Community initiatives that aim to help communities improve their connections to trails. I think of it as a form of regional community development. It’s about leveraging trails for the good of communities located alongside them. There are about two dozen organized Trail Town and gateway community initiatives throughout the U.S. and Canada. Most programs are organized around a single trail or trail network and unite communities around their shared asset – the trail(s). Often, communities seek Trail Town or Gateway Community designation, are expected to uphold the designation, and enjoy the benefits of being associated with the trail.
2. In addition to organized programs, there’s another way to think about what it means to be a Trail Town. It’s a mindset. Even without a program, communities can act, look, and feel like Trail Towns by investing in trails and finding ways to connect to them. Trail Towns embrace and celebrate trails and outdoor recreation. They are trail-oriented, provide services to trail users, and there’s a trail-friendly culture that exists throughout the community. If you have a copy of my book, Deciding on Trails, see p. 10 for an extended definition of Trail Towns and see Chapter 9 for more on trail culture. As I’ve said many times, it’s a culture of trails that ultimately upholds the trail economy that you may desire for your community.
Please remember that without a formal program in place in your area, you can – and should – think of your community as a Trail Town in an informal sense. It’s a mindset and a decision to embrace and invest in trails.
Who manages and oversees the Trail Town approach?
There is no single organization that oversees or sanctions the Trail Town approach or designates communities. Instead, it’s an approach to better connecting to and realizing the benefits of trails that has been adapted throughout the U.S. and Canada. The earliest programs were along the Florida Trail, Great Allegheny Passage, and Appalachian Trail between 2006-2008. (See more about this below.) Many other organizations have adapted and implemented the concept according to local goals, needs, and capacity. Most programs are operated by nonprofit organizations whose missions relate to trails, conservation, and tourism. Additionally, three states – Kentucky, Michigan, and Florida – operate statewide programs via state agencies.
What kinds of trails are best suited for a Trail Town initiative?
Trail Town and Gateway Community initiatives are currently operating along multi-use and rail-trails, hiking trails, water trails, canal systems, and even a National Forest. It’s amazing to think that the same concept has been applied to some of the longest trails (Appalachian Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and North Country Trail) as it has to 20- or 30-mile rail-trails. Some of the trails are iconic. Some are not. The trail type varies. But what’s almost always the same is intentionally unifying communities around their shared asset – the trail that connects them.
If your trail doesn’t attract people from around the globe, don’t worry. In my view, the best Trail Town initiatives are not singularly focused on attracting outside visitors. Instead, they are working to create improved trail-to-town connections for the benefit of both visiting trail users and area residents. Trails contribute to more vibrant places and improve quality of life for the residents of today. A Trail Town initiative can help jumpstart some of these connections and benefits, no matter the trail type or length. Again, it’s a mindset. It’s a sensibility. And a community wishing to identify as a Trail Town speaks volumes.
Is my community the right size for Trail Towns?
People often wonder whether their community is large enough to be considered a Trail Town. The smallest Trail Town I’ve ever worked in had fewer than 100 residents (hello, Ohiopyle!). Most communities participating in organized programs are located in rural areas and have fewer than 10,000 residents. Some of them have fewer than 1,000 residents even.
I’ll soon be releasing a report that validates this. Over the last couple of years, I’ve partnered with Julie Judkins of Just-Trails to study the existing Trail Town and Gateway Community initiatives. We surveyed program managers throughout the U.S. and Canada to learn more about their programs. Sixty-seven percent of the managers surveyed report serving communities with populations less than 10,000. (The best way to see the soon-to-be-released report, by the way, is to subscribe to my newsletter here.)
The flipside of this frequently asked question is whether a community can be too large to be considered a Trail Town. This is a bit trickier, in my opinion. From our forthcoming report:
While the majority of participating towns are smaller, there are a few programs engaging communities with populations larger than 50,000 residents. For example, Dayton, Ohio; Gainesville, Florida; and Tallahassee, Florida, all have populations exceeding 100,000.
The concept of better connecting to trails can appeal to communities of all sizes and, as you can see, there’s a precedent for urban areas applying the Trail Town approach. One potential challenge that might come up in urban areas is that the trail may be one of many assets, and devoting attention and resources to establishing a local Trail Town presence could be challenging (but achievable). Concerns around the relationship between trail improvements and housing affordability are more likely to come up in urban areas, at least in my experience. This is something to be mindful of. I would be happy to direct you to related resources. Finally, “Trail Town” terminology can be challenging. If the term just doesn’t feel right for your city neighborhood, you may need to consider language that does. The point of Trail Towns is to embrace and celebrate your location along your nearest trail. You and your collaborators can customize the approach as needed.



Is my community close enough to the trail to be considered a Trail Town?
Someone recently asked me, “Does distance ever get a score on what you think makes a Trail Town?” What she was getting at was whether her community is close enough to the trail it hopes to connect to. Certainly, it helps when a community is quite close to the trail and people can safely and easily move between trail and town. A couple of the programs I’m aware of require communities to be less than two miles from the trail to qualify for designation. But this is one of those determinations that is going to come down to regional decision-making. In some geographies and with certain trails, the nearest communities with goods and services might be 10-15 miles from the trail. A two-mile requirement wouldn’t serve anyone in this scenario.
What I’m a little less certain of is what happens when a community, say five miles from the trail, wants to be considered a Trail Town and there are other communities more proximate to the path with fewer amenities and less curb appeal. Should the community that’s five miles away be able to benefit from a Trail Town status? Does this do any favors for the trail-adjacent communities? As my friend noted, the more proximate communities deserve a chance to develop a trail culture and to accommodate trail users. But I’m not so sure that excluding the other community will achieve that. It’s quite possible that the closer communities will find ways to “level up” if one that’s further away is finding ways to benefit from the trail.
There’s also the possibility of different levels of support and recognition. Organizing programs may choose to favor or give priority to communities within a certain number of miles, while still finding ways to foster widespread interest and support. Doing this effectively casts a broad net and brings more supporters into the fold. Your trail is a regional asset, after all, and there are all sorts of trail users, many of them who are willing to deviate from the route to get to know your area.

What trail communities have you seen that provide the best examples of being a Trail Town?
I feel I might really get myself in trouble in answering this, but I recognize many of you might benefit from being able to investigate a few examples. If you’ll recall the two-part explanation I offered of Trail Towns, I am speaking to communities that espouse the characteristics of a Trail Town, whether or not they are part of a formal program. Here are some communities that I think exhibit an obvious trail culture and commitment to trails:
Travelers Rest, South Carolina is one of the most trail-oriented communities I’ve encountered. The Swamp Rabbit Trail runs parallel to the main street and most businesses have rear entrances with signs, bike racks, etc. The town has also really hopped onto the trail brand (sorry for the pun). Read my full trip report here.
Madrid, Iowa has embraced its location near the iconic High Trestle Trail Bridge in the most remarkable way. The bridge image shows up in murals, bike racks, business signs, and wayfinding. There’s no mistake that the community is proud to be a gateway to this special bridge and trail. Read about my 2023 visit here.
Damascus, Virginia calls itself “Trail Town, USA” due to its location along the Appalachian Trail, Virginia Creeper Trail, and other routes. The combination of an iconic footpath and a stunning rail-trail has resulted in both an appreciation for trails and an impressive trail economy. I write about Damascus in Deciding on Trails and don’t want to belabor the point here, but the Creeper Trail helps to support five local outfitters that shuttle people up the mountain. It’s SO MUCH FUN cruising back down. They pretty much have a unique selling proposition in the world of rail trails due to the shuttle service. Unfortunately, Hurricane Helene severely damaged this portion of the trail. Efforts to rebuild are underway.
Multiple communities along the Great Allegheny Passage – some of the first recognized Trail Towns – offer solid examples for your consideration. In Connellsville, local leaders and businesses are well aware of the value of the GAP. I think I’ll always remember a hotel operator saying, “Our business breathes by the GAP trail.” In Ohiopyle, you’ll find an example of a small town nestled within a state park and see how a trail economy flourishes amidst a bevy of outdoor and nature-based options (kayaking, Fallingwater, natural water slides, and more). Frostburg is one of my favorite examples of a Trail Town. The downtown is a mile up the mountain from the trail. Community and trail advocates have made every effort to draw people from the trail up into the community: switchbacks, a welcoming trail access, wayfinding signs, and well-placed sculptures. They are certainly doing the work of drawing people up into town.
Note:
This list is based on my unique perspective and certainly is incomplete (I’m thinking about Franklin, Oil City, Kane, and so many others!). I recognize that there are a lot of trails and communities I’ve not seen (and therefore cannot personally vouch for). I’d love for you to share the names of exemplar Trail Towns in the comments!