The Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) has announced the recipients of its 2025 Trail Grants, awarding $398,000 to 40 organizations and public agencies across the United States. These grants are aimed at expanding the nation’s trail networks, with a focus on improving trail access, fostering mobility, promoting economic development, and creating opportunities for outdoor recreation. RTC’s efforts are pivotal in enhancing the connectivity of America’s trails, which provide essential spaces for physical activity, community engagement, and local economic growth. With more than 150 trail networks in development nationwide, this funding is part of RTC’s broader vision to connect people with the outdoors and one another.
The grants awarded by RTC are transformative, particularly for rural, suburban, and urban areas that are working to improve their trail networks. These grants target projects that improve mobility, foster social connections, and support the economic revitalization of communities. RTC’s 2025 Trail Grants program showcases the diverse and impactful ways communities are integrating trail systems into their lives.
Each year, RTC’s Trail Grants fund projects that bridge gaps in trail access. These essential projects help communities provide safe and accessible routes for pedestrians and cyclists, often connecting people to schools, workplaces, and local businesses. The grants also support the development of infrastructure that benefits not just immediate users, but entire communities.
Connecting communities through trails also has significant economic benefits. Trails help promote tourism, stimulate local businesses, and attract investments in the area. By expanding access to outdoor spaces, RTC is supporting the development of vibrant, connected communities that can draw in residents, visitors, and businesses alike.
A critical aspect of the 2025 grants is their emphasis on programs that engage youth and families in outdoor recreation. Many of the grantees are implementing projects that will introduce young people to the outdoors and create opportunities for families to connect with nature. By providing safe spaces for physical activity and recreation, these initiatives help foster lifelong healthy habits while building stronger community ties.
The following are examples of key projects that will benefit from RTC’s 2025 Trail Grants, showcasing the diversity of initiatives supported by the program:
Beyond the immediate health benefits of outdoor recreation, trails offer significant economic returns. According to the American Trails organization, communities with well-developed trail networks experience increased property values, higher tourism revenues, and the creation of new jobs. Trails also help reduce transportation costs, as they provide safe, alternative routes for commuting and leisure travel. By creating trails that connect businesses, neighborhoods, and recreational areas, RTC is ensuring that these spaces become integral to the fabric of American life.
Despite the success of RTC’s grants, the need for further funding to advance the development of the nation’s trails remains significant. There are still countless areas in the U.S. that lack trail connectivity, particularly in rural and underserved communities. RTC’s grants represent a small portion of the funding needed to complete trail systems, but they have a profound impact by filling gaps in federal, state, and local programs. These grants also help secure additional private and public funding, multiplying their effectiveness.
RTC’s grants enable community-based organizations to tackle issues that may otherwise be overlooked, allowing them to improve access to trails, promote economic development, and create opportunities for physical activity. As these projects come to life, they generate tangible results that help transform communities.
The 2025 Trail Grants highlight the increasing recognition of trails as essential infrastructure in American cities and towns. With more than 150 trail networks under development across the country, the importance of connecting people to nature, each other, and their communities has never been clearer. Whether in urban centers or rural areas, trails are now considered a critical part of the public realm.
As trails grow in popularity, they are becoming more than just spaces for exercise—they are social hubs, economic drivers, and critical infrastructure that connects people to jobs, schools, and essential services. The work of RTC and its partners is helping to ensure that these spaces remain accessible and relevant for all communities, regardless of their size or location.
Since its inception, RTC has been at the forefront of the movement to connect America through trails. The organization’s commitment to supporting community-led trail development continues to make a difference, helping to build the infrastructure that powers healthy, vibrant, and connected communities. With its grants program, RTC is investing in the long-term future of America’s trails, ensuring that they continue to be accessible to all and contribute to the well-being of individuals and communities across the nation.
The 2025 Trail Grants awarded by the Rails to Trails Conservancy mark a significant step forward in the development of trail networks across the United States. By providing funding to community-based organizations, RTC is helping to create spaces that encourage physical activity, promote social engagement, and drive economic development. As America’s trail networks continue to expand, these projects will play a critical role in connecting communities, supporting sustainability, and enhancing the quality of life for millions of people. Through ongoing investment in trail development, RTC is ensuring that trails remain an integral part of the American landscape for generations to come.
