y Simon Cox) o by phot ona (Courtes t, Arizesortional F to NaonT

Visit the National Strategy for a Sustainable Trail System Web site: 

http://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/trail-management/strategy/index.shtml

USDA is an equal opportunity provider, employer, and lender.

United States Department of Agriculture

An Overview

World-Class System of Trails:

A sustainable trail system is a holistic network of diverse physical and social resources comprised 

of actual on-the-ground routes and associated community health and economic benefits.

Sustainable Trail System

 Core Values

At the Forest Service, we are embracing seven core values 

and invite our partners, volunteers, and friends to join us 

in adopting these values to guide our collective efforts.

u Safety

u Sustainability

u Commitment

u Access

u Inclusion

u Communication

u Relationships

u 158,600 miles of trail

u 84 million people annually

enjoy Forest Service trails

u 143,000 jobs annually

supported by recreation and

tourism spending

u More than $9 billion in

annual visitor spending

It is a resilient system consisting of a wide array of well-planned, well-designed, well-constructed, 

and well-managed trails that are supported by a mosaic of public and private interests. The system inspires 

stewardship and invites people of all ages and abilities—and from all backgrounds—to enjoy trails and 

use them to connect to their public lands while protecting and conserving natural and cultural resources.

National Strategy

for a Sustainable Trail System

Forest Service FS-1095a October 2017
The Forest Service, an agency of the U.S. Department of 

Agriculture, is committed to caring for the land and serving 

people by connecting them with their public lands. Welllocated and well-cared-for trails are a vital way for visitors and 

communities to reach and explore these lands and enjoy the 

multiple health, wellness, and economic benefits of outdoor 

recreation. The agency embraces its leadership role as a 

community member, shared steward, and key provider of access 

to public lands.

Together with partners, volunteers, and friends, the Forest 

Service manages more than 158,000 miles of nonmotorized 

and motorized trails—the largest managed system of trails in 

the country. More than 84 million people recreate on National 

Forest System trails annually, and more than 230 million people 

live within 100 miles of a national forest or grassland. National 

Forest System trails also connect with many miles of trails 

managed by local, state, federal, and tribal governments and by 

nongovernmental organizations (NGOs). Drawing from these 

valued partner resources now and into the future, the Forest 

Service will increasingly embrace a shared-stewardship approach 

in providing and managing a sustainable system of trails.

Strategic Intent

The strategic intent of the strategy 

is to embrace and inspire a different 

way of thinking—and doing. 

The strategy builds on the many 

examples from across the country 

where the Forest Service, its 

partners, and the greater trails 

community have successfully 

embraced a community-driven 

and locally sustainable trail system 

model. Leaders, employees, partners, 

volunteers, trail users, and friends 

can use the strategy to strengthen 

stewardship and dedication to 

improve a world-class, diverse trail 

system as one of America’s 

greatest legacies.

Cover. Tonto National Forest, Arizona (Courtesy photo by Simon Cox)

A Need for Change

Areas of Action 

In achieving a sustainable trail system, the Forest Service faces six areas that require action. 

Each of these can be scaled and adapted to inspire change at all levels of the agency, as well as 

with partners, volunteers, and friends.

Leader Intent: Cultivate leadership desire for and commitment to a 

sustainable trail system.

1.1 Inspire Intent and Commitment 

1.2 Implement 10-Year Trail Challenge 

1.3 Apply Leader Intent Incentives

1.4 Establish Trails Advisory Group

1.5 Encourage Shared Partner Leadership

Organization and Talent: Leverage an expanded and combined workforce to 

increase stewardship capacity.

2.1 Sustain and Maximize Talent

2.2 Evaluate and Reorganize Trail Program

2.3 Identify Essential Skills

2.4 Champion Integrated Training

Relevancy: 

Connect with diverse communities and trail users.

3.1 Identify and Communicate Benefits

3.2 Foster Cultural Relevance

3.3 Support Outdoor Recreation Economy

3.4 Build Upon Outreach and User Ethics Programs

3.5 Expand Use of Service and Job Corp Programs

Sustainable Systems:

Collaboratively create and achieve a common vision.

4.1 Create Shared Understanding

4.2 Identify Sustainable Trail Systems 

4.3 Implement 10-Year Stewardship Plans

4.4 Assess Proposed Trails

4.5 Invite Trail Endowment

Agency Processes and Culture: 

Maximize opportunities for effective partnering and 

trail stewardship.

5.1 Remove Barriers

5.2 Provide Efficiency Tools

5.3 Apply Cross-Program Integration

5.4 Establish Community of Practice

Information: 

Provide readily available, up-to-date, and credible trail 

information.

6.1 Integrate Shared Data Collection and Use

6.2 Improve Data Tools

6.3 Meet Data Standards

Custer Gallatin National Forest, Montana (Courtesy photo by Karl Birkeland)

Grand Mesa, Uncompahgre and Gunnison National Forests, Colorado (Courtesy photo by Big City Mountaineers/Devin Powell)