Rails to Trails Conservancy recently shared an update on 2024’s progress along the developing 3,700-mile cross-country Great American Rail-Trail and highlighted its cumulative impact over the five years since the vision for the trail was introduced.
“Since RTC announced the route of the cross-country trail in 2019, we have seen an outpouring of enthusiasm for this project,” said Kevin Belle, RTC’s project manager for the Great American. “People from small towns and big cities equally want to see this trail completed because they understand the transformative impact it brings—new economic opportunity, spaces to play outside, and, arguably most important, quality of life. They’re coming together to organize, invest in and activate their segments of trail, which is the magic that will help connect the entire route.”
View Iowa's portion
Through Iowa: 463.4 total miles, 251.4 existing miles, 212.2 gap miles, 54.2% complete
Interactive Map: https://gis.railstotrails.org/grtamerican/ (slow to load!)
Highlights of progress along the Great American Rail-Trail include: Click to see 'em