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Footbridge at Oak Mountain State Park (Kenny Johnson / Outdoor Alabama)

Debbie Quinn is a former Fairhope City Councilor and longtime member of the Alabama Trails Commission. She first got involved while working with a local group to stitch together the Eastern Shore Trail—a pathway between Spanish Fort, Daphne and Fairhope.

Her inspiration? These words from her six-year-old son way back in the early 1990s:

“Mama, I want a trail to walk to school.”

She, together with a lot of other people, helped make that happen. About a decade later, the Eastern Shore Trail connects a path to the school her son attended and has become a treasured part of the three communities.

Even though her son never got a chance to walk the trail he wished for to school, today hundreds of other kids do.

In this series about Alabama’s trails movement, we first looked at how Alabama is fast becoming a national trails leader. Our second story answered the question—why do trails matter?

Our third installment provides a guide to easy ways locals can get involved and support Alabama trails.

Let’s get started.

Where are the trails, groups + resources? Alabama Recreation Trails website

What is the first thing any experienced outdoors person, hiker, cyclist, camper or kayaker/canoeist will tell someone before they venture out on a trail?

Be prepared for your journey.

In addition to being prepared for your next adventure, we want you to help support Alabama’s trails.

Fortunately in Alabama, Alabamarecreationtrails.org serves as a clearinghouse for trail-related information, thanks to a cooperative effort between three state entities:

What’s on it?

A master list of statewide trails for hiking, mountain biking, canoeing, kayaking, fishing, horseback riding, paddling + birding.
Comprehensive list of volunteer trail support groups throughout Alabama (people who keep the paths clear, pick up litter, create trails, etc…)
Guide to how to build a trail, including potential funding sources.

Another useful resource is Innovate Alabama’s recently launched SEEK ALABAMA website and campaign.

Maintaining trails

Creating a trail or blueway may take years, even decades, but stewardship and maintenance must extend through the lifetime of the trail. Without volunteers and donations, the trails we love would be in trouble.

Below is a sampling of groups from the Alabama Recreation Trails website with information on how you can get involved to help maintain trails across the state:

Educating users through “Adopt a Trail” programs

Multiple groups have “adopt a trail” programs with an educational component. For example, Wild Alabama’s Volunteer Wilderness Ranger Program not only makes sure trails are passable, but it also trains supporters who greet hikers at trailheads with information on how to prepare for their journey.

Below is a list of adopt a trail programs across the state:

Wild Alabama’s Volunteer Wilderness Ranger, Pinhoti Ridgerunner + Forest Ambassador programs in the Bankhead + Talladega National Forests
Freshwater Land Trust Red Rock Trail System Adopt-a-Trail program
Cherokee Ridge Alpine Trail Association—supports trails around Lake Martin
Alabama Scenic River Trail—Trail Angels—connects paddlers to volunteers who have agreed to offer their expertise to other paddlers throughout the state

Supporting trails financially

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If you’re unable to build trails or serve as a volunteer trail steward, you can still get involved: Donate to the cause.

Alabama is filled with local land trusts and ‘friends’ groups whose sole purpose is to care for trails.

Take for example the Alabama Trails Foundation. This nonprofit group works hand in hand with the Trails Commission to identify projects that need support—such as the Flagg Mountain Observation Tower, which is the Coosa County southern terminus of the Pinhoti Trail.

In the Tennessee Valley, there are two nonprofits you can support;

If you live in Huntsville or Madison County, the Land Trust of North Alabama has developed the greenway system along with numerous projects in the region.
Another group is the Singing River Trail, which is focused on building a trail and developing programs within the Tennessee River corridor from Bridgeport in Jackson County to Sheffield in Colbert County.

Furthermore, if you are looking for a program that gets youth from underserved communities out on the trails, check out Big City Mountaineers. This year, the national group launched their first program in the South right here in the Birmingham metro area. The group needs volunteers to support hikes on the trails and donors.

In the Montgomery area, trail enthusiasts can donate to the River Region Trail. This group is committed to creating a trail network throughout the Alabama River watershed.

Another great way to promote state parks and support trails—including the nationally-renowned Hugh S. Branyon Trail System—is by purchasing an Alabama State Park license plate. More than 80% of the $50 specialty tag goes toward supporting State Park trails.

Finally, purchasing an Alabama State Park license plate is another way to promote state parks and support trails, including the Hugh S. Branyon Trail System at Gulf State Park, the nationally renowned recreational trail featured in our first story. Approximately $41 out of the $50 donation for the specialty tag is dedicated to State Park trails and various projects supporting them.

Your involvement really does make a difference

The great thing about Alabama is how one individual can make a significant difference. Whether it is building and maintaining a trail or supporting a pathway in your community, your impact is needed.

Will Collins, Statewide Trails Coordinator, Alabama State Parks summed it up best.

“As the Statewide Trails Coordinator, I am continually inspired by the dedication and passion of community members who support our trail efforts. By volunteering, donating, and advocating for our trails, Alabama citizens help preserve and enhance these vital natural resources for future generations. Together, we can ensure that Alabama’s trails remain beautiful, accessible, and sustainable for all to enjoy.”

Happy trails to you, Alabama!

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