IMBA Announces Inaugural 2026 IMBA Trail Towns Designation Celebrates Communities Leading With Trails BOULDER, Colo. (March 31, 2026) — The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) today announced the inaugural group of 28 communities receiving the IMBA Trail Town designation, a new national recognition honoring places that have made exceptional commitments to developing, stewarding, and celebrating trail systems that strengthen community life.

The IMBA Trail Town designation recognizes communities that are leading with trails by demonstrating strong trail infrastructure, a commitment to trail funding, an active local trail organization, a culture of community engagement, and a sustainable trail stewardship plan. Together these criteria support healthy lifestyles, local economies, and outdoor recreation access. “IMBA Trail Towns represent communities that understand the powerful role trails play in shaping vibrant places to live, work, and play,” said Jillian Olson, IMBA Community Progress Manager. “These communities have invested in trails not only as recreation opportunities, but as essential infrastructure that supports local economies, attracts visitors, improves quality of life, and builds stronger connections between people and the outdoors.”

Trails are increasingly recognized as drivers of outdoor recreation economies. Communities that invest in trail systems often see benefi ts ranging from increased tourism and small business growth, to improved health outcomes and stronger community identity. The American outdoor recreation economy continues to grow: in 2024 it generated $1.3 trillion in economic output while supporting 5.2 million American jobs. The sector accounts for 2.4% of the nation’s GDP. The IMBA Trail Town designation highlights communities that have demonstrated leadership in these areas and are helping set the standard for how trails can positively shape the future of outdoor communities. This year’s honorees highlight 28 communities in 20 U.S. states.

The inaugural 2026 IMBA Trail Town designees include:

Anniston , Alabama Anchorage , Alaska Flagstaff , Arizona Prescott , Arizona Big Bear Lake , California Breckenridge , Colorado New Castle , Colorado Leadville , Colorado Salida , Colorado Columbus , Georgia Nashville , Indiana Versailles , Indiana Decorah , Iowa Mason City , Iowa Annapolis , Maryland Germantown , Maryland, Northville , Michigan, Ely , Nevada Santa Fe , New Mexico
Marietta , Ohio Klamath Falls , Oregon Cascade Locks , Oregon Warren , Pennsylvania Rapid City , South Dakota Knoxville , Tennessee Sugar Land , Texas Cedar City , Utah Marlinton , West Virginia

These 28 communities are leading a growing national network of trail-forward places committed to trail stewardship, collaboration, and expanding access to outdoor recreation. Learn more about these IMBA Trail Town communities at https://www.imba.com/trail-towns. “The IMBA Trail Town designation is more than a badge of honor. It’s national recognition that a community values trails and the people who ride them,” said David Weins, IMBA Executive Director. “These towns are leading with trails by modeling what robust investments in the outdoors can do for local health, local economies and community connectivity — both to the outdoors and to one another. Trails bring communities together.”

The 2027 IMBA Trail Town designation will open this fall. Communities that have made an investment in trails and foster a culture around trails may be ready to pursue the designation. Communities interested in learning more can also take a free Community Assessment at any time.
For more information about the IMBA Trail Town designation, visit www.imba.com/designation/trail-town.

About IMBA The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is a 501c3 nonprofi t that creates, enhances, and protects great places to ride mountain bikes. IMBA is focused on Leading with Trails by partnering with communities on trail advocacy, education, stewardship and sustainable trail solutions, so everyone has access to great places to ride and recreate.