USA TODAY 10Best
Chuck Huckelberry Loop named Best Recreational Trail again
Best Recreational Trail (2022)
Over the course of the last two years, many people have looked for more ways to get active in the great outdoors. Thanks to an ever-growing network of recreational trails across the country, staying active is easier than ever.
- Colorado Riverfront Trail - Palisade, Grand Junction, and Fruita, Colorado
- High Line Canal Trail - Denver, Colorado
- Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail - Austin, Texas
- C&O Canal Towpath - Washington, DC and Maryland
- Great Allegheny Passage - Maryland and Pennsylvania
- Trail of the Coeur d'Alenes - Idaho
- Prisma Health Swamp Rabbit Trail System - Greenville County, South Carolina
- Virginia Creeper Trail - Virginia
- Katy Trail - Missouri
- Chuck Huckelberry Loop - Tucson, Arizona
Photo courtesy of Richard McCracken // Getty Images
No. 10:
This 22-mile Colorado recreational trail travels along the Colorado and Gunnison Rivers, creating a great outdoor experience from the city of Fruita to the town of Palisade. It also includes parts of Mesa County and the city of Grand Junction and connects several parks and lakes. The trail is perfect for walking, jogging, running, biking, and rollerblading. Or, enjoy some quiet time sitting on the riverbank fishing or bird watching.
Photo courtesy of Faina Gurevich // Getty Images
No. 9:
The High Line Canal connects communities and nature “from the foothills to the plains,” crossing through the most populated part of Colorado and including a montage of nature and communities. The southern half of the course features foothills and panoramic range views through rural and suburban areas. In contrast, the northern half takes visitors through older neighborhoods and new communities with its prairies and vast grassy views. This 71-mile long urban trail is open year-round and is perfect for walking, bicycling, hiking, horseback riding, nature viewing, and picnicking.
Photo courtesy of The Trail Foundation
No. 8:
This 10-mile hike-and-bike trail meanders along the banks of Lady Bird Lake in the middle of Austin. The trail sees some 4.4 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.
No. 7:
The C&O Canal Towpath runs for 184.5 miles along the historic C&O Canal, once used by canal mules to tow boats along the waterway. This dirt and stone path makes it possible to walk, run or bike between Georgetown and Cumberland, Maryland.
Photo courtesy of Allegheny Trail Alliance
No. 6:
The gorgeous Great Allegheny Passage provides more than 150 miles of almost flat hiking and biking trail connecting Pittsburgh and Cumberland, Maryland. It was the first trail to earn a spot in the National Rail-Trail Hall of Fame.
Photo courtesy of Idaho Tourism
No. 5:
The Trail of the Coeur d’Alenes runs for 73 miles across the Idaho panhandle through the Silver Valley and along the Coeur d’Alene River. The paved trail attracts walkers, cyclists and skaters in summer, as well as snowshoers and cross-country skiers in winter.
Photo courtesy of Firewater Photography/Kris Decker
No. 4:
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 System snakes 22 miles across Greenville County, from picnic areas and parks to schools and businesses. It’s a popular geocaching hotspot, too.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Forest Service
No. 3:
Extended for 34.3 miles, the Virginia Creeper Trail follows the path of the historic steam engine that once wound into the Iron Mountains. The rail-to-trail path winds through two counties — a favorite among hikers and bikers.
Photo courtesy of Lokibaho / iStock
No. 2:
Katy Trail State Park represents the longest rails-to-trails conversion project in the nation. The largely flat 240-mile 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.
No. 1:
The Chuck Huckelberry Loop in Tucson comprises 130 miles of shared-use paved paths and bike lanes, with more on the way. The path connects the Cañada del Oro, Rillito, Santa Cruz and Pantano River parks, as well as trailheads and bus and bike routes throughout the city.
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
Deborah Fallows
Deborah Fallows is a writer and a linguist. She is... Read More
Deborah Fallows is a writer and a linguist. She is the co-author with her husband, James Fallows, of the national best-selling book, Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America, published in May, 2018. Our Towns, the HBO documentary based on the book was released in April, 2021. They recently launched the Our Towns Civic Foundation to support renewal efforts of communities across America. Deb has written extensively on language, culture, travel, and China for The Atlantic, National Geographic, Slate, The New York Times and The Washington Monthly. Her previous book, Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life, Love, and Language, is based on her 3-year experience living and working in China.
Deborah Fallows
Deborah Fallows is a writer and a linguist. She is the co-author with her husband, James Fallows, of the national best-selling book, Our Towns: A 100,000-Mile Journey into the Heart of America, published in May, 2018. Our Towns, the HBO documentary based on the book was released in April, 2021. They recently launched the Our Towns Civic Foundation to support renewal efforts of communities across America. Deb has written extensively on language, culture, travel, and China for The Atlantic, National Geographic, Slate, The New York Times and The Washington Monthly. Her previous book, Dreaming in Chinese: Mandarin Lessons in Life, Love, and Language, is based on her 3-year experience living and working in China.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in... Read More
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Kristen Lummis
Kristen Lummis is a freelance writer based in Western Colorado. The mom of two now-adult sons, Lummis broke into her writing career through snowsports, founding the website braveskimom.com in 2010 to provide family-friendly tips across a full range of winter topics. And while skiing is Lummis’ first true outdoor love, she grew up camping, hiking, biking, kayaking and traveling extensively with her family — pursuits that she continues today. She prides herself on unbiased opinions, based on activities and destinations she’s visited and experienced. Lummis is honored to be considered an “expert” for 10Best. Follow her @braveskimom on Instagram and Facebook.
Rob Taylor
Rob Taylor is the author of The Road Trip Survival... Read More
Rob Taylor is the author of The Road Trip Survival Guide (being released May 25, 2021) and the founder of 2TravelDads, the original LGBT Family Travel blog. Focusing on ecotourism and education, 2TravelDads inspires LGBT families (and traditional families also) to go beyond their usual getaways and use travel to learn about and be part of a bigger world. 2TravelDads blazes the way for other two-dad and two-mom families to travel to previously overlooked destinations or places we as gay people would normally avoid. We share the struggles we've faced and the surprising gems and welcomes we've had along the way. Traveling as a family is one thing, traveling as an LGBT family is completely something else.
Rob Taylor
Rob Taylor is the author of The Road Trip Survival Guide (being released May 25, 2021) and the founder of 2TravelDads, the original LGBT Family Travel blog. Focusing on ecotourism and education, 2TravelDads inspires LGBT families (and traditional families also) to go beyond their usual getaways and use travel to learn about and be part of a bigger world. 2TravelDads blazes the way for other two-dad and two-mom families to travel to previously overlooked destinations or places we as gay people would normally avoid. We share the struggles we've faced and the surprising gems and welcomes we've had along the way. Traveling as a family is one thing, traveling as an LGBT family is completely something else.
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.
