This Saturday: National Trails Day

June is Great Outdoors Month, a month-long celebration of all things outdoors. Moreover, America will also be celebrating National Trails Day this Saturday.

If I had to guess, most of us probably take our trails for granted. And if you were like me, you probably have no idea how they came about, or simply assume they were constructed by some governmental entity at some point. The truth of the matter is that there are a wide variety of individuals and groups who’ve been responsible for the construction of our trails over the years.

Before local, state and federal agencies became heavily involved with the construction and maintenance of recreational trails in the 1930s and 40s, many of the footpaths in our national parks and forests were originally blazed by Native Americans, hunters, trappers, prospectors, pioneers, shepherds, cattlemen, and loggers. Even the U.S. Army, railroad barons, hotel owners and other local entrepreneurs built some of the hiking trails that we still use today!

With National Trails Day rapidly approaching, now’s a great time to learn about the rich history of early trail development.

Ramble On: A History of Hiking contains a chapter dedicated to the widely diverse accounts of how and why trail networks were developed in some of our oldest and most iconic national parks, as well as America’s first hiking destination - the White Mountains of New Hampshire.

With Father’s Day right around the corner, Ramble On: A History of Hiking also makes for a great gift idea!



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Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk through the woods for pleasure? Ramble On: A History of Hiking explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world.

PSICC invites community to participate in National Trails Day events

Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands invite the public to participate in a volunteer workday, cleanup event or other activity as we celebrate National Trails Day in events designed to leave trails better than we find them.

National Trails Day was established by the American Hiking Society in 1993 and occurs annually on the first Saturday in June. It brings together federal land managers, partners, and volunteers to celebrate trails and accomplish trail stewardship projects to ensure they are safe, well-maintained, easy-to-follow and accessible.

Additionally, the Forest Service is designating June 6, 2026, as an additional recreation Fee-Free Day to the 2026 calendar to celebrate National Trails Day, meaning all standard amenity recreation sites on Forest Service lands will be at no cost to the public. For all 2026 Fee-Free Days on National Forest System lands and information, please visit the Forest Service website. Fee Free Days applies only to standard amenity recreation fees and does not waive expanded amenity fees, concessionaire charges, reservation fees, special recreation permit fees, or third-party costs unless separately authorized.

“National Trails Day is an opportunity for all of us to celebrate the expansive trail system on our national forests and grasslands that provide access to nature and recreation opportunities,” said Forest and Grassland Supervisor Ryan Nehl. “Whether you are participating in trail stewardship across the Pike-San Isabel National Forests & Cimarron and Comanche National Grasslands or just connecting with nature and your community, we hope to see you out there.”

This link provides all the events taking place across the PSICC.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Ramble On: A History of Hiking

On This Day in Hiking History: The Pageant of the Dunes

Surprisingly, several hiking clubs have held talent shows, skits and plays over the years, some of which were/are fairly major productions. For example, in order to raise awareness of

the damage that was being inflicted on Lake Michigan’s sand dunes, the Prairie Club of Chicago hosted the “Pageant of the Dunes” beginning on this date in 1917. After the club's founding in 1908, the dunes area quickly became a popular hiking destination for many of its members. However, at that time, large portions of dune habitat were being spoiled by industrial sand mining, which was used to make concrete for construction projects in Chicago. Through the use of music, dancing, and roughly one thousand period actors, the pageant recounted the history of the dunes from pre-European contact through French, British and American governance. The two-day event drew between 25,000 and 50,000 spectators, and eventually led to the establishment of Indiana Dunes State Park in 1925 and Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore in 1966, which was upgraded to a national park in 2019.

Learn more about the pioneers of hiking in Ramble On: A History of Hiking.


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Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk through the woods for pleasure? Ramble On: A History of Hiking explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world.

Trail Ridge Road Opens For The Season - Timed Entry Reservations Required For Trail Ridge Road 9 am to 2 pm

Trail Ridge Road in Rocky Mountain National Park is open for the season. Due to melting snow on the road and the potential for freezing temperatures visitors should be prepared for icy conditions. At this time, nightly closures will not be implemented. However, because weather conditions may change rapidly at higher elevations, park visitors should be prepared to adjust travel plans accordingly at any time and are encouraged to call the park’s Trail Ridge Road recorded status phone line at (970) 586-1222. Park staff will update the recorded line when/if the road status changes.

Alpine Visitor Center and Trail Ridge Store are currently closed to all uses. Visitors must adhere to any barricades. Visitors entering any closure areas will be cited.

Timed Entry Reservations In Place

Rocky Mountain National Park has a timed entry reservation system in place during certain times of day.

There are two types of reservations available. One option is for the Bear Lake Road Corridor, which includes the entire corridor and rest of the park. This reservation period is from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m. Another timed-entry option is for the rest of Rocky Mountain National Park, excluding the Bear Lake Road corridor, and includes Trail Ridge Road. This reservation period is from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Permits issued using the reservation system will allow park visitors to enter the park within two-hour windows of availability. The reservation system will apply to all areas of the park. To learn more visit http://go.nps.gov/romo/timedentry

Trail Ridge Road historically opens in late May; last year the road opened on May 30. The earliest the road has opened was on May 7, 2002; the latest June 26, 1943. Trail Ridge Road is the highest continuous paved road in the United States, climbs to 12,183 feet and connects the towns of Estes Park and Grand Lake. Trail Ridge Road officially closed for the season last year on November 14.

National Park Service plow operators began clearing the snow in the middle of April. Crews from the west side of the park and crews from the east side of the park move along the road and eventually meet at the Alpine Visitor Center. The visitor center is the highest in the National Park Service, sitting at 11,796 feet above sea level. Spring storms often impact plowing activities. Although the park experienced a mild winter, significant May storms brought much needed snow and moisture to the park.



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Check out our online trail guides:

• Glacier National Park: HikinginGlacier.com

• Grand Teton National Park: TetonHikingTrails.com

• Rocky Mountain National Park: RockyMountainHikingTrails.com

• Ramble On: A History of Hiking

The First Hiking Club

Most writers and historians point to the Alpine Club of London as being the first mountaineering or “walking club” in the world, and the Alpine Club of Williamstown as being the first hiking club in America. However, it should be noted that the U.S. National Park Service recognizes the Exploring Circle as preceding both of those organizations by several years. The Exploring Circle was founded by Cyrus M. Tracy (or Tracey) and three other men

from Lynn, Massachusetts in 1850. These four men, all mechanics, formed the club to advance their knowledge of the natural sciences as they pertained to the forested areas adjacent to their town. This included zoology, topography, mapping, mineralogy and meteorology, as well as documenting botanical specimens and unusual geological formations. They also participated in other educational pursuits that would enhance their understanding of the natural sciences, such as the study of language. Although not a true hiking club in the same sense as the clubs that would emerge over the next several decades, the National Park Service does recognize the Exploring Circle as “the first hiking club in New England.” In addition to their pursuit of knowledge, the club held periodic outings, and built trails and camps in Lynn Woods, some of which still survive today. Throughout the years the group added several new members, and is documented as having existed until at least 1881. Tracy’s greatest legacy was securing funds to save the woods around Lynn, which became known as the “Free Public Forest,” and is now the second-largest municipal park in America. The forest is now part of the Lynn Woods Historic District, which was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1996.

Learn more about the pioneers of hiking in Ramble On: A History of Hiking.


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Virtually no one went hiking before the 19th century. What occurred that inspired ordinary people to take a walk through the woods for pleasure? Ramble On: A History of Hiking explores the rich history of hiking, and how it evolved into one of the most popular pastimes in the world.