What is National Trails Day® and Why Celebrate NTD?
National Trails Day® is a celebration of trails that evolved from the report of President Ronald Reagan's President's Commission on Americans Outdoors. In 1987, the report recommended that all Americans be able to go out their front doors and within fifteen minutes, be on trails that wind through their cities or towns and bring them back without retracing steps. The recommendation, dubbed Trails for All Americans,

became the impetus behind several public and private parties joining American Hiking Society in launching National Trails Day® in 1993.

Trails do not just appear for our enjoyment, it takes many hours of planning, labor, and
negotiating to develop them. National Trails Day®, the only nationwide celebration of
trails, brings awareness to trails and thanks many people and partners for their support
and hard work, including volunteers, land agencies, and outdoor minded businesses. It is
also a day to introduce people to the many joys and benefits of trails.

Why Celebrate Trails?
America's 200,000 miles of trails allow us access to the natural world for recreation,
education, exploration, solitude, inspiration, and much more. Trails take us to good
physical and mental health by providing us with a chance to breathe fresh air, get our
hearts pumping, and escape from our stresses.

The Outdoor Industry Association's annual Outdoor Recreation Participation Study for the
United States 2006 reports that 72.1% of all Americans 16 and older (or 162 million
people) participate in at least one of the 22 outdoor activities they track, which include:
76.7 million hiking; 13.5 million backpacking; 40.4 million trail running; and 10 million
cross country skiing.

How do Trails Make You Healthy?
Trails give you the opportunity to get your heart pumping, lungs expanding, and muscles
working at various levels of difficulty; improving your physical as well as mental
well-being. With obesity rates skyrocketing, exercise is increasingly important, and trails
provide a wide variety of opportunities for being physically active. Download and print
for distribution the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Trails for Health and
other fact sheets. English (PDF) , Spanish (PDF)

How Successful is National Trails Day®?
Since 1993, National Trails Day® has grown to inspire many thousands of people to
enjoy trails on the same day nationwide. All 50 states have had events, as well as the
District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Canada, Guam and the Virgin Islands. National Trails
Day® is now a permanent fixture on the calendars of trail clubs, businesses, and
government agencies. With more than 1,100 registered events in 2007, greater
awareness of trails was brought to thousands of people through dedications, hikes, bike
and horse rides, paddle trips, trail maintenance, and many other activities. Event hosts
included local hiking clubs, federal agencies, municipal parks, retailers, land trusts, and
many other businesses and organizations.

Who are the Leaders of National Trails Day®?
National Trails Day® 2007 was made possible thanks to the volunteer efforts of
American Hiking Society's individual and Alliance members as well as by the generous
support of our Lead Sponsor - Nature Valley, Partners - Merrell, REI and Thorlo, Friends -
Adventure Medical Kits, Eastern Mountain Sports, and Royal Robbins, and Media
Sponsors - Backpacker magazine and American Park Network, as well as our Federal
Agency Partners - Bureau of Land Management, Federal Highway Administration,
National Park Service, USDA Forest Service and U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service.

How Can My Organization Get Involved In National Trails Day®?
Download the 2008 NTD Event Organizer’s Manual, plan and
register the event on American Hiking’s website, and work with American Hiking to
ensure a successful day. If you have any questions or would like more information
contact Ivan Levin, Trail Programs Manager, at 301-565-6704 x 208 or
ILevin@AmericanHiking.org.

Does National Trails Day® have to be the first Saturday in June?
If your organization has a conflict with the first Saturday in June, plan your National
Trails Day® event for a day or weekend that works best for you. No matter what day
you choose, be sure to register your event with American Hiking Society; the national
attention will draw more participants and media, and American Hiking Society will help
you throughout the entire planning process.