- The Great American Rail-Trail will be a 3,700-mile route free of cars that will connect 12 states from Washington, D.C., through Washington State.
- The trail is already over 2,000 miles long, providing walkers and bicyclists with a beautiful, non-trafficked way to commute, explore and travel.
- The project will boost local economies, and provide safe and sustainable transportation to millions of Americans.
Imagine crossing the United States not on highways or interstates, but by a scenic, car-free path Built for cyclists and walkers. A trail where the hum of traffic is replaced by birdsong and the crunch of gravel, where you can set out for a morning jog, a bike ride to a neighboring town, or—if you’re ambitious—a journey from coast to coast.
The vision behind the Great American Rail TrailA project of this magnitude is more than half completed. Over 2,000 miles of trail will stretch from Washington, D.C., all the way to Washington State.
At first glance, it might seem like a novelty—a feather in the national cap—but its potential impact is significant. Project estimates from the Great American Rail Trail’s websiteThe trail is expected to generate over $229 million annually in visitor spending. It will also create more than $100 million in income from labor and nearly $23 millions in new taxes. Perhaps even more importantly, it will give the tens of millions of people living along the route a safe, accessible way to connect with nature, commute between communities, and explore their own backyards—all without a car.
The number of people impacted by the Rail Trail is even more significant when you zoom out and consider those who live within 50 miles of the route—or the tourists from other parts of the country or the world who will be able to enjoy the cross-country pathway.
Ryan Chao, President of the Great American Rail-Trail, said: “The Great American Rail-Trail represents the potential for active transportation infrastructure to connect the nation.” Rails to Trails ConservancyThe organization responsible for the rail trail project is called. a May 2024 press release The rail-trail celebrated its fifth anniversary. “It magnifies opportunity” connected trail systems Millions of Americans will benefit from the economic potential of this vehicle, as well as its quality of life and safety.
Since May 2019, 125 miles of new road have been added. existing public-use trails. The trail will not be completed for many decades.
The Great American Rail-Trail project is a flagship project of Rails to Trails ConservancyThe largest trails organization in America. It would not have been possible to build the ambitious route without the local support of communities, trail organizations and trail builders.
Check out the Great American Rail-Trail website to see which parts are open and accessible for walkers and cyclists. the organization’s interactive mapThe route is shown as a map, with all the planned segments and existing trails.
