The Great American Rail-Trail is a trail for everyone-separated from vehicle traffic, with gentle grades and an unparalleled experience. Across the nation-and the world -only the limits of imagination will limit its use. Through 12 states and the District of Columbia, the trail will directly serve nearly 50 million people within 50 miles of the route.

The Great American Rail-Trail promises an all-new American experience. And, it will serve as a catalyst for local economic development, including providing services for long-distance travelers.ĭiscovering America: Reconnecting People and Places It will comprise existing trails to the extent possible and will represent trail priorities of the states and local jurisdictions that will host it. It will be separated from vehicle traffic-a minimum of 80 percent initially and ultimately entirely separated when the trail is complete. These trail criteria specify that the Great America Rail-Trail be one contiguous route that is reasonably direct between Washington, D.C., and Washington State. Trail criteria were developed to ensure the Great American Rail-Trail would provide safe, nonmotorized travel on a route that is entirely walkable and bikeable. Key to the process of defining the preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail with states and trail partners was confirming a route across the country that would provide the highest-quality experience for all types of trail users-from long-distance cyclists and runners to casual daily explorers and everyone in between. And with more than 52% of the route already on the ground, now is the time to experience the Great American Rail-Trail! Explore the Great American Rail-Trail map above to learn more about the route and to find trails you can visit today. These trails are hosting the Great American through their communities, making possible this grand vision of a nation connected by trails. The preferred route of the Great American Rail-Trail connects 145+ existing rail-trails, greenways and other multiuse paths spanning more than 3,700 miles.

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