Help Shape the Future of California’s Trails
California’s trails do so much more than connect destinations. They connect people—to nature, to movement, to community, and to each other. From neighborhood walking paths to backcountry routes through wild landscapes, trails support recreation, health, climate resilience, and access to the outdoors.
Right now, the State of California is asking for public input on how to improve and expand non-motorized recreational trails statewide—and your voice matters.
The California Trails Survey is a statewide effort led by the California Natural Resources Agency and California State Parks to better understand what’s working, what’s missing, and what could be better when it comes to trails across California.
Yosemite Rivers Alliance is helping amplify this opportunity to weigh in—especially for communities that care deeply about access to nature, healthy waterways, and equitable outdoor spaces.
What Is the California Trails Survey?
The California Trails Survey is gathering input from trail users, community members, advocates, and professionals to help guide future investments in non-motorized recreational trails, including:
Hiking and walking trails
Bike paths and greenways
Equestrian routes
Multi-use community trails
The goal is to improve access, safety, connectivity, and equity across California’s trail network—especially in regions and communities that have historically had less access to quality outdoor spaces.
Why Your Input Matters
Trail access and quality vary widely across the state. Some communities enjoy well-maintained, connected trail systems, while others face barriers like safety concerns, lack of access points, or limited trail options altogether.
Public input will help decision-makers understand:
What’s working well in your region
What barriers prevent people from using trails
What types of trails and improvements are most needed
Your feedback will directly help shape future trail investments funded by the voter-approved Proposition 4 Climate Bond, and guide updates to the California Recreational Trails Plan, the statewide framework for planning and managing trails.
Join a Public Webinar This February
To kick off the survey, the California Natural Resources Agency and California State Parks are hosting two public webinars that will cover:
An overview of the statewide trails assessment
How Proposition 4 funding supports trail projects
Upcoming updates to the California Recreational Trails Plan
Ways to participate and spread the word
Each webinar includes a live Q&A.
Webinar Dates
Wednesday, February 18 | 6–7 pm
Tuesday, February 24 | 6–7 pm
Both sessions cover the same content. If you can’t attend live, recordings will be posted online.
Take the Survey (Open Through February 2026)
The online survey is open through February 2026, giving Californians plenty of time to participate—but early input helps shape priorities sooner.
The State wants to hear from:
Community members
Trail users and outdoor enthusiasts
Advocates and nonprofit partners
Tribal representatives
Recreation and planning professionals
Questions focus on:
What trails you use
What’s missing in your area
How trails could better serve your community
Share Your Trail Story
In addition to the survey, participants are invited to:
Share trail photos and stories through an online photo contest
Highlight favorite local trails—or places that need improvement
Help tell the story of how trails support connection, health, and stewardship
These stories help put real experiences behind the data.
At Yosemite Rivers Alliance, we believe that access to healthy rivers, trails, and outdoor spaces is essential to community well-being and long-term conservation. Trails often follow rivers, connect communities to water, and foster stewardship of the landscapes we all depend on.
Participating in the California Trails Survey is one way to ensure future trail planning reflects the needs of communities across the Yosemite region, the Central Valley, and beyond.
