USA TODAY 10Best
Enjoy the outdoors on the 10 best recreational trails in the US
Best Recreational Trail (2024)
Recreational trails have popped up across the country, providing people with new ways to explore the great outdoors and get some exercise. These 10 trails — nominated by an expert panel and voted by readers as the best in the U.S. — offer more than just a walk in the park, allowing users to bike, walk, and run (and sometimes even skate and explore by horseback), all while enjoying nature's grandeur.
- Little Miami Scenic Trail - Ohio
- B-Line Trail - Bloomington, Indiana
- Greenbrier River Trail - Frankford, West Virginia
- Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail - Austin, Texas
- Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail - Virginia
- Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail - Greenville County, South Carolina
- Great Allegheny Passage - Maryland and Pennsylvania
- Katy Trail - Missouri
- Chessie Trail - Lexington, Virginia
- Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail - Gulf Shores and Orange Beach, Alabama
Photo courtesy of iStock / NickGiomuso
No. 10:
Explore five Ohio counties when traversing the 78-mile-long Little Miami Scenic Trail, the longest single trail in the Miami Valley Trails system. You can hike or bike this paved and shaded trail, which offers access to two state parks: John Bryan and Caesar Creek.
Photo courtesy of Rebecca Swift
No. 9:
Follow Bloomington's 3.1-mile-long B-Line Trail through downtown and Switchyard Park. This paved trail is great for walkers, joggers, and cyclers, with paved plaza areas for stops, as well as several fitness stations and drinking fountains (for you and your pet) along the way. You can even connect with the 2-mile-long Bloomington Rail Trail for a longer outing.
Photo courtesy of West Virginia Department of Tourism
No. 8:
The Greenbrier River Trail is the longest of its kind in West Virginia. Set on what was a former railroad, this 78-mile-long trail is on mostly packed gravel and is used for hiking, bicycling, and horseback riding. You'll pass through small towns, over 35 bridges, and a couple of tunnels while traversing through some of the state's most remote regions. Do note that the entire trail lies in a National Radio Quiet Zone, meaning you won't have cell phone reception here, so plan accordingly.
Photo courtesy of The Trail Conservancy
No. 7:
The Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail meanders 10 miles along the banks of Lady Bird Lake in the middle of Austin. The trail sees some 2.6 million visits a year — a mix of travelers who come to take in the views and locals who love the space as a place to recreate in the fresh air.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service
No. 6:
The 34.3-mile-long Virginia Creeper National Recreation Trail follows the path of a historic steam engine that once wound into the Iron Mountains. The rail-to-trail path winds through two counties, and it's a favorite among hikers and bikers.
Photo courtesy of Firewater Photography/Kris Decker
No. 5:
This trail in South Carolina is named after a railroad that was named after a type of rabbit, and now that the railroad no longer runs, this trail follows its path along the Reedy River. The Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail snakes 22 miles across Greenville County, from picnic areas and parks to schools and businesses. It’s a popular geocaching spot, too.
Photo courtesy of Allegheny Trail Alliance
No. 4:
The Great Allegheny Passage provides 150 miles of an almost-flat path for hiking and biking, which connects Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and Cumberland, Maryland. Those who venture out on the trail are rewarded with gorgeous mountain views as they cross 16 bridges. This was the first trail to earn a spot in the National Rail-Trail Hall of Fame.
Photo courtesy of Missouri Department of Natural Resources
No. 3:
Katy Trail represents one of the longest rails-to-trails conversion projects in the nation. The largely flat 240-mile-long trail passes through the Missouri countryside — a popular option for runners, walkers, and cyclists. The path has 26 trailheads and four fully restored railroad depots along the way.
Photo courtesy of Lexington & Rockbridge Area Tourism. Photographer: Steven Shires
No. 2:
Hike or run along the 7-mile-long one-way Chessie Trail, which parallels the Maury River in Lexington, Virginia. Old canal towpaths and a portion of the former Chesapeake & Ohio Railroad bed combine to create this rail trail that offers an opportunity to enjoy fresh air and wildlife spotting.
Photo courtesy of Gulf State Park
No. 1:
You're spoiled for choice at the Hugh S. Branyon Backcountry Trail complex, which offers 26 trails across nine different ecosystems. You can trek through wildflowers and tall pines on the Rosemary Dunes trail, take in the views from the overlook on the Gulf Oak Ridge trail, and enjoy the abundance of complex amenities, like the Butterfly Garden and the Pavilion.
About 10Best Readers' Choice Awards
Nominees are submitted by a panel of experts. 10Best editors narrow the field to select the final set of nominees for the Readers’ Choice Awards. Readers can vote once per category, per day. For any questions or comments, please read the FAQ or email USA TODAY 10Best.
The Experts
Kirstie and Christine of On Airplane Mode Travels
Kirstie Pike and Christine Diaz are award-winning... Read More
Kirstie Pike and Christine Diaz are award-winning LGBTQ+ travel creators and trailblazers, using their platform, On Airplane Mode, to inspire others to follow their passions while celebrating their unique identities. With the leading LGBTQ+ travel platform in the US, they have a thriving community of over 650,000+ followers. The dynamic duo craft unique storytelling content that resonates with diverse audiences, sparking positive transformation within the travel industry, making it a more inclusive and vibrant space.
Kirstie and Christine of On Airplane Mode Travels
Kirstie Pike and Christine Diaz are award-winning LGBTQ+ travel creators and trailblazers, using their platform, On Airplane Mode, to inspire others to follow their passions while celebrating their unique identities. With the leading LGBTQ+ travel platform in the US, they have a thriving community of over 650,000+ followers. The dynamic duo craft unique storytelling content that resonates with diverse audiences, sparking positive transformation within the travel industry, making it a more inclusive and vibrant space.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music... Read More
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Marla Cimini
Marla is a writer with a passion for travel, music and culinary adventures (and combining those whenever possible)! As an avid globetrotter, she encourages respecting and learning about other cultures while traveling. She has visited Hawaii multiple times, and has explored destinations worldwide, including the Mediterranean region, South America, Asia and more. Marla is a contributor to Fodor’s Hawaii guidebooks (Oahu and Kauai 2020) and her articles have appeared in a number of international publications. She calls New Jersey (Philadelphia area) home. Follow her on Instagram and Twitter and read her travel tips and adventures on her website.
Meg St-Esprit
Meg St-Esprit is a journalist based in Pittsburgh... Read More
Meg St-Esprit is a journalist based in Pittsburgh who covers family travel, lifestyle, education, and parenting. With their four kids in tow, she and her husband love to travel anywhere and everywhere — but have a soft spot for camping and outdoor adventures. In fact, her kids are well on their way to achieving their goal of visiting all 124 state parks in Pennsylvania. Meg believes travel doesn’t need to be luxurious or costly to be valuable, and aims to share that with her audience. Meg’s work has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Thrillist, The Washington Post, Fodor’s, Yahoo, Good Housekeeping, Romper, and more. Follow Meg on Instagram and Twitter at @megstesprit or check out her work on https://megstesprit.com/
Meg St-Esprit
Meg St-Esprit is a journalist based in Pittsburgh who covers family travel, lifestyle, education, and parenting. With their four kids in tow, she and her husband love to travel anywhere and everywhere — but have a soft spot for camping and outdoor adventures. In fact, her kids are well on their way to achieving their goal of visiting all 124 state parks in Pennsylvania. Meg believes travel doesn’t need to be luxurious or costly to be valuable, and aims to share that with her audience. Meg’s work has appeared in publications such as The New York Times, Thrillist, The Washington Post, Fodor’s, Yahoo, Good Housekeeping, Romper, and more. Follow Meg on Instagram and Twitter at @megstesprit or check out her work on https://megstesprit.com/
Melody Pittman
Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Read More
Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Wherever I May Roam Blog and is co-owner of the Southern Travelers Explore annual conference, in its 4th year, which brings CVBS and writers/influencers together from all over the country. She is a digital influencer and writes for both online and print publications, such as Travel Awaits, Charleston Home and Living Magazine, Matador Network, She Buys Travel, and more. Melody has worked with major brands during her nine-year career, such as Viking River Cruises, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Disney, hundreds of tourism boards, and GO RVing. Melody’s first book “100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die” was released in the spring of 2023. She has a podcast, 100ThingsWV, and social channels to go along with the book. Melody loves road trips, small towns, cruising, and sharing lesser-known destinations with her followers via TikTok, Youtube, IG, and FB. After a year of full-time RV travel, she now resides in Mesquite, Nevada.
Melody Pittman
Melody Pittman is the owner and creator of Wherever I May Roam Blog and is co-owner of the Southern Travelers Explore annual conference, in its 4th year, which brings CVBS and writers/influencers together from all over the country. She is a digital influencer and writes for both online and print publications, such as Travel Awaits, Charleston Home and Living Magazine, Matador Network, She Buys Travel, and more. Melody has worked with major brands during her nine-year career, such as Viking River Cruises, Ritz Carlton, Four Seasons, Disney, hundreds of tourism boards, and GO RVing. Melody’s first book “100 Things to Do in West Virginia Before You Die” was released in the spring of 2023. She has a podcast, 100ThingsWV, and social channels to go along with the book. Melody loves road trips, small towns, cruising, and sharing lesser-known destinations with her followers via TikTok, Youtube, IG, and FB. After a year of full-time RV travel, she now resides in Mesquite, Nevada.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards... Read More
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
Catherine Smith
Catherine Smith, Readers' Choice Awards Production Manager and Social Media Director for USA TODAY 10Best, has a special interest in unique culinary experiences and off-the-beaten-path adventures. Catherine is the founder of Her Bags Were Packed where she focuses on helping women release emotional baggage through solo travel and self-discovery.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original,... Read More
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors
USA TODAY 10Best provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
