Trail Builder Magazine

10/30/2025

Trail building doesn’t happen in isolation. For-profit builders bring skill, precision, heavy equipment, and design expertise. Nonprofits bring local knowledge, advocacy, volunteer power, and community trust.

When these two worlds collaborate, entire trail systems thrive. When they don’t, momentum stalls.

So here’s the question: what does a great partnership between a trail company and a nonprofit look like in your experience?

10/29/2025

When should you start your own trail org?

Maybe you’ve been showing up to dig days, building solo in your community, or dreaming up a new trail system on the back of a napkin.

Maybe your town doesn’t have a trail org yet. Or maybe the one that exists doesn’t reflect your vision, your voice, or your values.

So how do you know when it’s time to stop waiting and start building?

We’d love to hear from those who’ve done it.
What was the tipping point that made you say, “Let’s go?”

Drop your story, advice, and wisdom in the comments.

10/28/2025

Just got back from Arizona after speaking at the Spirit World fundraiser for the Arizona Trail. I tossed the script and made it a convo instead. The topic? Gravel as the gateway to becoming a trail town. Here’s what I would’ve said if I stuck to the speech ...

Discover how gravel races can spark trail-based tourism and community renewal. This story-driven piece explores rural towns like Douglas and Patagonia, AZ, showing how low-cost events build momentum, foster belonging, and lay the foundation for vibrant trail economies without losing local identity.

10/27/2025

I started Trail Builder Magazine because I believe trail builders deserve a platform built for them, one that informs, inspires, and connects this community around the shared goal of building and advocating for more trails.

Every subscription helps make that possible. It funds the writers, photographers, and researchers who tell these stories. These are stories that aren’t driven by algorithms or ad budgets, but by passion for the craft and the people behind it.

When you subscribe, you’re not just getting a print or digital magazine (which you are). You’re helping create a community-built media outlet that elevates new voices and pushes the trail building industry forward.

Subscribers also receive industry discounts from brands who believe in supporting the builders behind the ride.

If you’ve been following along, reading, or sharing our work, thank you. The best way to keep this growing is to subscribe now ... https://bit.ly/44fVkOt

10/23/2025

Trail building has always been about connection between people, landscapes, and the shared experience of being outdoors.

Now it is also about resilience.

The same creativity that shapes a perfect berm or a scenic viewpoint is what will help this community adapt to a changing climate.

Trails cannot be built for the climate we remember. They have to be built for the one we have.

Read the full article: https://bit.ly/49dGdat

10/22/2025

What’s your go-to fix for wet or high-erosion areas?

10/21/2025

Storms are getting stronger, seasons are getting shorter, and the trails we love are under pressure.

Trail builders everywhere are adapting. That means rethinking design, drainage, and maintenance to meet the new reality of constant weather extremes.

Our latest feature explores how builders are creating trails that last through the storm.

Extreme weather is putting trail builders to the test. From erosion control to storm recovery, today’s crews are adapting designs and maintenance practices to build trails that can stand up to a changing climate. Here’s what’s working—and what still needs to change.

10/20/2025

How has the weather changed in the past 10 years where you live? How has that impacted trail building and trail maintenance?

10/16/2025

Next week, I’ll be in Patagonia, Arizona, speaking at the Spirit World fundraiser for the Arizona Trail Association. It’s a special event that brings together riders, organizers, and trail advocates to celebrate community and support one of the most iconic trails in the country.

In my talk, I’ll share ideas from Trail Towns from Scratch about how gravel events can open the door to trail-based tourism and rural revitalization. Events like Spirit World show what happens when local businesses, event organizers, and trail builders work together to create something bigger than a single weekend ride.

Sean Benesh, editor of Trail Builder Magazine, shares insights from his upcoming talk at the Spirit World fundraiser in Patagonia, Arizona. The event supports the Arizona Trail and highlights how gravel cycling can spark rural revitalization, strengthen communities, and build momentum for trail-base

10/15/2025

Thinking of marketing your town as a “trail town?”

It’s a great goal, but only if you’re ready to back it up. Here are 5 questions to ask before you print the t-shirts and hang the banners:

1. Do our trails offer a quality visitor experience?
2. Is our community trail-positive?
3. Do we have the infrastructure to support visitors?
4. Are we planning for the future?
5. Is this our identity or just a slogan?

Full article: https://bit.ly/3KKu5Us

10/14/2025

Which do you love more: trail stories or gear reviews?

Some of you dig deep for the behind-the-scenes stories of builds, advocacy wins, and unsung heroes. Others want the nitty-gritty on tools, gloves, and gear that can handle the gnar.

We’re here for both. But we want to hear from you.

Drop a comment: Trail stories or gear reviews?

10/13/2025

Somewhere between a rusting welcome sign and an empty storefront, a hand-painted banner flaps in the wind: Welcome Riders! Trail Town USA. It’s hopeful, maybe even inspiring, but is it true?

Across North America (and beyond), small towns are embracing the label of “trail town” in a bid to bring in new energy, dollars, and identity. The idea is simple: trails bring riders, riders bring money, and maybe, just maybe, that’s enough to kickstart something new.

But here’s the catch: not every town with a trailhead is ready to claim the title. And sometimes, rushing into the trail town identity can do more harm than good.

So, how do you know if your town is ready?

Wondering if your town should market itself as a trail town? This article breaks down what it really takes to earn the title—from quality trails and infrastructure to community support and long-term planning. Learn the benefits, risks, and five key questions every town should ask before embracing ...