American Trails sponsors the annual contest for photographs of designated National Recreation Trails across the country. Our annual contest provides awards in several categories and shows off entries (and previous winners) on the NRT website. The deadline is December 15 of each year.
Submit your photos that highlight the diversity of the NRTs and to make more Americans familiar with these great trails.
American Trails sponsors the annual contest for photographs of designated National Recreation Trails across the country. Our annual contest provides awards in several categories and shows off entries (and previous winners) on the NRT website. Deadline is December 15 of each year.
Also see: Award Categories | How to Enter | Past Entries
The goal is to highlight the diversity of the NRTs and to make more Americans familiar with these great trails. We’re looking for good photos of trail users as well as special facilities, art on the trails, management issues, construction, and volunteers. We also want to see entries that cover the many types and uses of National Recreation Trails throughout America.
Deadline for entries is December 15 each year. Winning photos will be announced in February and a link will be posted on https://www.americantrails.org/national-recreation-trails/photo-contest
Award Categories
We will give awards in the following categories. Photos will be considered for all relevant categories.
TRAIL USE
- Accessibility
- Hiking and Walking
- Equestrian
- Paddling and Water Trails
- Bicycling
- Off-Highway Vehicle riding
- Snowmobiling
- Skiing, Snowshoeing, and Dogsledding
TRAIL MANAGEMENT
- Trail Sharing
- Training and Education
- Trail Work
- Youth and Volunteers
- Health and Fitness
TRAIL FEATURES
- Urban Trails and Greenways
- Rail and Canal Trails
- Historic Features
- Scenery and Natural Features
- Arts and Interpretation
- Innovative Facilities
- Environmental Features, Flora, and Fauna
ARTISTIC MERIT
- The Trail as Photographic Inspiration
How to Enter
Deadline for entries is December 15 each year.
Winning photos will be announced in February and all nominations will be notified.
Step 1: Make sure your photos qualify
- Eligibility: Only photos of any designated National Recreation Trail are eligible. Make sure your photos were taken on designated National Recreation Trails.
- Photos must be in digital JPEG, PNG, GIF, or TIFF format
- Submit up to TEN photos per trail
Step 2: Record the follow details for each of your entries
- Name of the NRT where photo(s) taken
- State and general location of trail
- Caption or brief description of the subject
- Your name
- Photographer’s name, if different
- Organization, if any
- Mailing address
Step 3: Submit your photo nomination(s) via the link below.
ONE SUBMISSION FORM PER TRAIL. If you have photos to submit for more than one trail, please submit a separate submission form for each trail (10 photos per trail allowed).
If you’re not sure if a trail is an NRT, or if you have questions about the contest, please contact us. Presented by American Trails, P. O. Box 491797, Redding, CA 96049-1797 – phone (530) 605-4395 – NRT@AmericanTrails.org
Note: By entering the contest you are giving us permission to use the photos for publicity and promotion of National Recreation Trails. This includes use on the websites of the NRT Program, American Trails, and cooperating agencies and organizations, as well as their non-commercial publications. You retain all other rights to your photos.
American Trails advances the development of diverse, high quality trails and greenways for the benefit of people and communities. Through collaboration, education, and communication, American Trails raises awareness of the value these trail systems offer.