Rails-To-Trails Conservancy
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy is a 40-year-old U.S. nonprofit that converts abandoned rail corridors into public trails, advocates for connected trail networks, and operates the TrailLink database of more than 40,000 miles of rail-trails serving over 1 million supporters nationwide.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1986
- HeadquartersWashington, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingServices
What Rails-To-Trails Conservancy does
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy (RTC) is a Washington, D.C.-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded in 1986 that converts abandoned railroad corridors into public multi-use trails and advocates for connected trail networks across the United States. Its flagship initiative, the Great American Rail-Trail, is a developing cross-country route, while the TrailNation program frames trails as critical infrastructure through a collaborative network of more than 3,600 partner organizations. RTC operates TrailLink, a proprietary database and web platform cataloging more than 40,000 miles of rail-trails with user reviews, photos, and condition information; it also publishes "Rails-to-Trails" magazine, printed guidebooks, and related merchandise, and convenes annual events such as Celebrate Trails Day.
The organization's business model is a diversified nonprofit revenue mix: individual donations and memberships, foundation grants, corporate sponsorships, federal and state pass-through funding (notably via the Transportation Alternatives program), and earned income from magazine subscriptions, guidebooks, and merchandise. RTC supports more than 1 million supporters and a professional network of more than 7,500 trail and outdoor-recreation practitioners, and it maintains an active policy engagement with the U.S. Surface Transportation Board on railbanking — the legal mechanism that preserves rail corridors for future trail conversion. In 2026, its 40th anniversary year, the organization launched the TrailNation Accelerator to provide funding and technical assistance to local trail-building organizations in underserved and rural communities, expanded Celebrate Trails Day to all 50 states, and released new national guidance on micromobility devices on rail-trails.
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Rails-To-Trails Conservancy
- Legal name
- Rails to Trails Conservancy
- Website
- https://railstotrails.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1986
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- Rails-To-Trails Conservancy is a 40-year-old U.S. nonprofit that converts abandoned rail corridors into public trails, advocates for connected trail networks, and operates the TrailLink database of more than 40,000 miles of rail-trails serving over 1 million supporters nationwide.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Trail Conservation Nonprofit Services
- NAICS
- Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation (487), Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation, Land (48711)
- SIC
- Services-Membership Organizations (8600), Transportation Services (4700)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Transportation & Access Services (Shuttles, Ferry Access, Scenic Drives Permits) (THAAAGAC)
Keywords
Where Rails-To-Trails Conservancy is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Washington
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others
Revenue model
- Donations and Membership: Primary revenue stream from individual donations and memberships. Supporters contribute through one-time or monthly recurring donations at various tier levels ($5-$250+). Membership includes benefits like magazine subscription and member pricing on guidebooks.
- Merchandise and Gear Sales: E-commerce sales of RTC branded apparel, jerseys, accessories, and Great American Rail-Trail merchandise through online storefronts.
- Magazine Subscription: Quarterly Rails to Trails magazine subscription (three times in print and once digitally annually), available through donation/subscription form.
- Trail Guidebooks: Sale of regional trail guidebooks in both print and digital ebook formats, with 13 different editions covering various US regions.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Pay-as-you-go | One-time donation amounts for general support |
| Subscription | Monthly | Monthly recurring donation amounts |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Membership gift with T-shirt or guidebook |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Trail Guidebook Editions |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that converts former railroad corridors into multiuse public trails and operates the TrailLink trail-finder platform, which maps more than 40,000 miles of multiuse trails across the United States with verified GIS-based trail data. RTC also leads the development of the Great American Rail-Trail, a 3,700-mile cross-country trail, and runs advocacy, funding, and capacity-building programs to support trail development. Its offerings include TrailLink (free trail discovery), the quarterly Rails to Trails Magazine, regional trail guidebooks, branded merchandise, donations/memberships, the TrailNation initiative, and the Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange (TrADE) policy data platform.
Product overview
Rails to Trails Conservancy operates a platform-plus-initiatives model centered on TrailLink, a comprehensive trail-finder platform with over 40,000 miles of GIS-mapped trails accessible via web and mobile apps (iOS/Android). The organization's flagship project is the Great American Rail-Trail, a 3,700+ mile cross-country trail nearly 56% complete. RTC's TrailNation initiative coordinates regional trail network development through a collaborative learning community and the new TrailNation Accelerator for rural communities. Supporting offerings include the Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange (TrADE) for policy research, the quarterly Rails to Trails Magazine, regional Trail Guidebooks, and TrailBlog for news and features. Annual programs include Celebrate Trails Day and recognition through the Hall of Fame Trails and Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champions awards.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- TrailLink: America's Guide to Trails - the essential guide to America's multiuse trails developed by Rails to Trails Conservancy, providing verified, user-friendly and comprehensive trail content with more than 40,000 miles of trails mapped
- Great American Rail-Trail
- TrailNation
- TrailNation Accelerator
- Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange (TrADE)
- Partnership for Active Transportation
- Celebrate Trails Day
- Hall of Fame Trails
- Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champions Award
Products and services
- TrailLink
Quantifiable outcome
- $34 billion annual economic impact from America's multiuse trails, surpassing the total federal active transportation investment of $24 billion
- +6 more outcomes
Companies that use Rails-To-Trails Conservancy
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered minor, core and major.
- Visit NorfolkminorCollaboration on America 250 celebration events alongside RTC's veteran trek. Visit Norfolk hosting community events including a picnic, bike ride, and Norfolk's annual Freedom Fest in Battle Creek, Nebraska.
- Nebraska Game & Parks CommissionminorPartnering with RTC and Visit Norfolk for America 250 celebration events in Nebraska, marking the midpoint of the veterans' 3,700-mile Great American Rail-Trail journey.
- Warrior ExpeditionscoreJoint partnership organizing outdoor expeditions for veterans, including the Warrior Bike trek on the Great American Rail-Trail. Six veterans departed Washington, D.C. on May 21 for a 3,700-mile journey to promote healing through biking and nature, coinciding with RTC's 40th anniversary.
- Transportation for AmericacoreCoalition partner in advocacy efforts for active transportation funding. Transportation for America and RTC have jointly criticized the BUILD America 250 Act as extending a failing status quo.
- REImajorREI Co-op's Flagship Store in Washington, DC hosted Celebrate Trails Day events. REI featured as a supporting organization for trail celebrations nationwide.
- Athletic Brewing CompanymajorPremier supporter of Celebrate Trails Day 2026, providing support for the annual celebration of America's trails and promoting outdoor activity.
- PatagoniaminorSupporting organization for Celebrate Trails Day 2026, participating in national trail celebration events.
- America 250majorPartnership with America 250 (semiquincentennial) organization to celebrate the nation's 250th anniversary through trail-focused events, including veteran treks on the Great American Rail-Trail.
- Groundwork JacksonvillecoreStrategic partnership with Groundwork Jacksonville for Emerald Trail development. Kay Ehas, CEO of Groundwork Jacksonville, named 2025 Doppelt Family Rail-Trail Champion for modeling community-driven approach anchored in public-private partnership.
- Adventure Cycling AssociationcorePartnership for cross-country trail content and education. Adventure Cycling Association provides guidance on how to ride the Great American Rail-Trail, creating educational resources for long-distance cyclists.
- Partnership for Active TransportationcoreCoalition partnership bringing together stakeholders to advocate for active transportation infrastructure and funding at the federal level.
Scale indicators19 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Adventure Cycling Association: National nonprofit focused on cycling routes and long-distance bike travel. Directly comparable as a peer advocacy nonprofit that publishes route data, partners with RTC on Great American Rail-Trail content, and serves overlapping trail/cycling audiences.
- Appalachian Trail Conservancy: Nonprofit that manages and protects the 2,194-mile Appalachian Trail. Comparable as a national trail-focused nonprofit with membership model, donor base, advocacy program, and stewardship of a long-distance trail corridor.
- American Hiking Society: National nonprofit advocating for hiking trails, trails funding, and volunteer stewardship. Directly comparable as a trails-focused advocacy nonprofit with a federal funding agenda and grassroots supporter community.
Broad incumbents
- PeopleForBikes: National bicycle advocacy organization and industry coalition. Comparable as a larger, more established active-transportation advocacy nonprofit with a broader bike-industry stakeholder base.
- League of American Bicyclists: National bicycling advocacy organization promoting bike-friendly communities and federal policy. Comparable as a legacy advocacy nonprofit working on overlapping active-transportation funding priorities.
- The Trust for Public Land: National nonprofit that creates parks and protects land for public use, including trail corridors. Comparable as a large conservation nonprofit with park/trail land-acquisition mission and government funding relationships.
- National Parks Conservation Association: National nonprofit advocating for the National Park System. Comparable as a member-supported conservation advocacy organization with federal funding focus and parks/trails stewardship overlap.
- Sierra Club: One of the largest U.S. environmental nonprofits with a long history of outdoor recreation advocacy. Comparable as a mass-membership outdoor/environmental advocacy organization with overlapping federal policy goals.
- The Nature Conservancy: Global conservation nonprofit that protects land and water. Comparable as a large-scale environmental nonprofit with land/conservation mission that includes trail-corridor and public-access work.
Others
- REI Co-op: National outdoor recreation co-op that partners with RTC on Celebrate Trails Day. Comparable as a leading outdoor recreation brand and strategic partner that amplifies RTC's trail usage and advocacy initiatives.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy social profiles
Digital presenceRails-To-Trails Conservancy financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments18 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Rails-To-Trails Conservancy
What does Rails-To-Trails Conservancy do?
Rails to Trails Conservancy (RTC) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that converts former railroad corridors into multiuse public trails and operates the TrailLink trail-finder platform, which maps more than 40,000 miles of multiuse trails across the United States with verified GIS-based trail data. RTC also leads the development of the Great American Rail-Trail, a 3,700-mile cross-country trail, and runs advocacy, funding, and capacity-building programs to support trail development. Its offerings include TrailLink (free trail discovery), the quarterly Rails to Trails Magazine, regional trail guidebooks, branded merchandise, donations/memberships, the TrailNation initiative, and the Transportation Alternatives Data Exchange (TrADE) policy data platform.
Is Rails-To-Trails Conservancy a public or private company?
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Rails-To-Trails Conservancy founded?
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy was founded in 1986. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is Rails-To-Trails Conservancy based?
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy is headquartered in Washington, United States, in the North America region.
How does Rails-To-Trails Conservancy make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Donations and Membership is the primary driver. The others are merchandise and Gear Sales, magazine Subscription and trail Guidebooks.
Who are Rails-To-Trails Conservancy's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Adventure Cycling Association, Appalachian Trail Conservancy and American Hiking Society. Broad incumbents are PeopleForBikes, League of American Bicyclists, The Trust for Public Land, National Parks Conservation Association, Sierra Club and The Nature Conservancy. REI Co-op is listed as an others.
Does Rails-To-Trails Conservancy have an API?
No public API is recorded for Rails-To-Trails Conservancy.
What industry is Rails-To-Trails Conservancy in?
Rails-To-Trails Conservancy's product category is Trail Conservation Nonprofit Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is THAAAGAC, Transportation & Access Services (Shuttles, Ferry Access, Scenic Drives Permits). Its NAICS code is 487 and its SIC code is 8600.