Introductory Guide to Trail Planning and Development
With case studies and questions to consider for your project, this guide breaks down the steps and provides insight for successful partnerships that bring trail projects to life.
Organization
Oregon Trails Coalition
Publication Date
2021
Location
National or Global
Topic
Health
IDEA
Infrastructure
Participation
Rural Communities
Sustainability
Activity
Bicycling
Birding/Wildlife viewing
Hiking/Running
Motorized sports (boat, snowmobile, ATV, etc.)
Paddling
Winter sports (downhill, Nordic, tube, snowshoe, snowmobile)
Related Resources
2015 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Smart Growth Self-Assessment for Rural Communities
The Smart Growth Self-Assessment for Rural Communities is a compilation of strategies, organized by 11 common "goal areas," that villages, towns, and small cities can use to evaluate their existing policies to create healthy, environmentally resilient, and economically robust rural places.
2013 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Creating Equitable, Healthy, and Sustainable Communities
This resource provides a menu of land use and community design strategies that bring together smart growth, environmental justice, and equitable development principles and that community-based organizations, local and regional decision-makers, developers, and others can use to revitalize their communities.
American Trails
American Trails Resource Library
All kinds of resources from articles to guides to webinars that provide information and guidance for all things trails.
Explore the Trends Shaping Outdoor Recreation
Outdoor Industry Association: 2025 Outdoor Participation Trends Report
Bureau of Economic Analysis: 2024 Economic Statistics for Wisconsin
Adventure Travel Trade Association: Travel Market Sizing and the New Adventure Traveler
KOA: 2025 Camping & Outdoor Hospitality Report
American Sportfishing Association: Economic Contributions of Recreational Fishing
Measure What Matters
