American Hiking Societys 21st annual celebration of National Trails Day will be held on Saturday, June 1, 2013 thanks to the generous support of event sponsors, including The North Face, Merrell, Adventure Medical Kits, Columbia, Gregory and Gerber.



Other supporters include American Park Network, Backpacker magazine, Boy Scouts of America, REI, YMCA of the USA, the Bureau of Land Management, Federal Highway Administration, National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.

National Trails Day is devoted to appreciating Americas trails and the hard-working individuals who build and maintain them.


In honor of this day, thousands of public events will be hosted nationwide, and tens of thousands of trail enthusiasts will be outside as they hike, peddle, ride and paddle through some of Americas most beautiful areas. National Trails Day activities will be available in all 50 states and also the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.

With the total number of National Trails Day recreation activities increasing year after year, finding an event near you has never been easier, commented John Michels, National Trails Day Manager at American Hiking Society. Events have a huge depth of variety, ranging from leisurely guided hikes to trail building, horseback riding, kayaking and more. Regardless of whether you consider yourself a hiker, mountain biker, equestrian, bird-watcher, or simple nature enthusiast, there is bound to be an event to fit your needs. Many events offer family options, so even the littlest ones can participate.


Here is a sampling of events that convey the variety of experiences that will be available:



  • For history buffs, Valley Forge National Historical Park at King of Prussia, PA, will host a Trails Fair that will feature guided hikes, educational clinics, and volunteer projects. The event will also include a showcase of the latest developments in outdoor equipment and gear.

  • People who like to live on the edge will enjoy the XtremeFest of the Blue Ridge in Waynesboro, VA. The local Department of Parks and Recreation has partnered with local outfitters and will introduce event attendees to exciting adventure sports like rock climbing, kayaking, mountain biking, and hiking.

  • If you have children with you, or simply prefer something a little less heart-pounding, Theatre-Hikes Colorado will be hosting Snow White, by Marjorie Sokoloff, at Boulders Chautauqua Park. In this exciting and innovative retelling of the classic Snow White, audience members and actors will hike from scene to scene along beautiful open trails. The full production will be performed in this family-friendly, low impact outdoor entertainment hike.

  • In Woodstock, VT, National Trails Day  attendees can celebrate both local trails and local food at the Marsh-Billings-Rockefeller National Historic Park, where each trail in the 5th Annual Trek to Taste will lead to samples of delicious farm-fresh treats prepared by area students. Event attendees will also enjoy family-friendly arts and crafts activities, trail games, displays, live animals and music.

  • For bird enthusiasts, the World Bird Sanctuary in Valley Park, MO, is planning a family-friendly event with free, child-focused activities. The event will also offer three different trails that will feature naturalists with live animals at interpretation stations along the way.


Join American Hiking Society and thousands of others on Saturday, June 1, for National Trails Day as we come together to explore, learn about, and celebrate Americas trails. Find the nearest National Trails Day event by visiting AmericanHiking.org and clicking on National Trails Day .


About American Hiking Societys National Trails Day
American Hiking Societys National Trails Day  is a nationally recognized trail awareness program that occurs annually on the first Saturday of June and inspires the public to discover, learn about, and celebrate trails while participating in outdoor activities, clinics, and trail stewardship projects. National Trails Day  is a registered trademark of American Hiking Society.


About American Hiking Society
Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting Americas hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas and the hiking experience. To learn more about American Hiking Society and its mission and programs, visit www.AmericanHiking.org or call (301) 565-6704.