Organization · Trails
Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy has converted thousands of miles of former railroad corridors into paved and packed-gravel trails that families can ride, walk, and explore without fighting traffic. Their network spans every region of the country, connecting small towns, river valleys, and open farmland on gentle grades that work for almost any age or ability.
This page from Outside, the family adventure app, profiles the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (RTC), a nonprofit that has built a network of more than 40,000 miles of rail-trails across the United States. The page covers what RTC does, how families can use the TrailLink trip-planning tool, how to join as a member or volunteer through local chapters, and which family types benefit most from rail-trail riding. Key facts include the flat, traffic-free nature of most rail-trails, the availability of a free and paid TrailLink app, and RTC's annual membership structure.
| Cost | Free to use trails; membership from approx. $20/year |
|---|---|
| Region | Nationwide, all 50 states |
| Best ages | All ages; especially strong for kids 4-14 |
| Best season | Spring through fall; some trails rideable year-round |
| Surface types | Paved, crushed limestone, packed gravel |
What the Rails-to-Trails Conservancy does
The Rails-to-Trails Conservancy is a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit founded in 1986 with one clear purpose: take abandoned railroad corridors and turn them into public trails. Railroads built their lines on gradual grades because locomotives could not climb steep hills, which means the trails that follow those corridors are almost always flat or gently rolling. That geometry is the whole ballgame for families. A ten-year-old on a bike, a six-year-old on a trail-a-bike, a grandparent in a recumbent, and a parent pulling a cargo trailer can all share the same stretch of trail without anyone falling behind. RTC works with landowners, state governments, and local trail groups to acquire, design, and protect these corridors before they are sold off or developed. They also advocate at the federal level to keep trail funding in transportation bills.
The trail network and TrailLink
RTC's signature tool for families is TrailLink, a trip-planning database covering more than 40,000 miles of rail-trails and multiuse paths across all fifty states. You can search by state, city, or trail length, filter by surface type (paved, crushed stone, dirt), and read user reviews that often mention whether a route is stroller-friendly or has restrooms at the trailhead. The TrailLink app is free to download with basic access; a TrailLink Premium subscription, included with RTC membership, removes ads and unlocks offline maps. For a family planning a weekend trip around a long trail, the offline maps alone are worth the membership cost. The database is updated regularly, and surface-condition reports from other users are genuinely useful for knowing whether a section is rideable after a wet spring.
Membership and what you get
An individual RTC membership runs around twenty dollars a year, and a household membership costs a bit more. Both include TrailLink Premium access, the member magazine, and discounts through RTC's partner programs, which have included gear retailers and trail-town businesses. Membership money goes directly into trail acquisition and advocacy work. There is no complicated tier structure or pressure to upgrade. Families who ride rail-trails regularly and want to support the organization that maintains that network will find membership straightforward and fairly priced. RTC also runs periodic member-only events and trail previews in regions where new corridors are opening.
Volunteering and local chapters
RTC works through a loose network of state and local trail organizations rather than operating chapters the way a club might. The practical path to volunteering is usually through your regional trail coalition or the managing entity for a specific trail, many of which are listed on TrailLink's individual trail pages. Trail maintenance days, corridor cleanup events, and advocacy letter-writing campaigns are the most common family-accessible volunteer opportunities. Kids old enough to pull weeds, pick up litter, or help paint a trail marker post can participate meaningfully. RTC's website maintains a volunteer portal that connects families to active opportunities by zip code, and national events like the Great American Rail-Trail corridor have drawn volunteers from dozens of states.
Who this fits best
Rail-trails are the single best entry point for families who are not yet confident cyclists. The flat grades remove the dread of long climbs and the danger of fast descents. Traffic is absent by design. The out-and-back structure of most rail-trails means you can turn around at any point without navigating back through an unfamiliar route. Families with younger kids, kids still building endurance, or adults returning to cycling after years away will find rail-trails forgiving and genuinely fun. Families who already ride confidently will discover that longer rail-trails, some stretching fifty miles or more, offer serious day-ride and multi-day touring possibilities. The Great Allegheny Passage, the Katy Trail in Missouri, and the Mickelson Trail in South Dakota are among the longer corridors that draw touring families from across the country.
Pick a rail-trail you rode together and write down one thing you noticed about the landscape that made you wonder what the old railroad looked like when trains still ran there.
Frequently asked questions
Are rail-trails safe for young kids on bikes?
Most rail-trails are closed to motor vehicles and follow wide, level corridors with gentle curves. These features make them among the safest places in the country for young riders. Always check the specific trail's surface rating on TrailLink before you go, and confirm whether road crossings exist on your chosen segment.
Is TrailLink free to use?
TrailLink is free to download and browse with basic features. A Premium subscription, which unlocks offline maps and removes ads, is included with any level of RTC membership. Membership starts around twenty dollars a year for an individual.
Can we find rail-trails near us no matter where we live?
RTC's network spans all fifty states, and TrailLink lets you search by zip code or city. Rural states have some of the longest and most scenic corridors, but urban and suburban areas often have paved rail-trails connecting neighborhoods, parks, and town centers that are easy to reach without driving far.
How do we get involved beyond just riding?
The most direct route is through RTC's volunteer portal at railstotrails.org, which lists maintenance days and advocacy events by location. Many individual trails are managed by local nonprofits or park agencies, and their volunteer days are listed on each trail's TrailLink page. Membership is the simplest first step if your family wants to support the work financially.