Birmingham, Ala. – Feb. 27, 2025 – Alabama Tourism Department officially launched the Year of Alabama Trails campaign today at Vulcan Park, kicking off a multi-year initiative from 2025-2026 to celebrate the state’s extensive trail systems and its positive impact on tourism, conservation, quality of life for Alabama and economic development.
To commemorate the Year of Trails campaign, attendees laced up their shoes and got trail-ready alongside Birmingham’s iconic Vulcan statue while checking out some larger-than-life hiking gear at Vulcan Park. Set against the scenic backdrop of Birmingham’s skyline overlooking the Kiwanis-Vulcan Trail, officials unveiled Alabama’s 25 Must-Tread Trails for 2025, encouraging residents and visitors alike to explore the top hiking, biking and paddle trails that make Alabama a top outdoor destination.
Alabama Tourism was joined by partners representing the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR), Alabama Trails Foundation, Freshwater Land Trust, Innovate Alabama and Rails to Trails Conservancy, each playing a role in expanding outdoor recreation and enhancing Alabama’s trail systems.
“For more than 20 years, our ‘Year Of’ campaigns have introduced visitors to the people, places and experiences that make Alabama unique,” said Alabama Tourism Director Lee Sentell. “Trails offer one of the most immersive ways to explore our state—whether from the seat of a bike, the path beneath your boots or the pull of a paddle. This year, we’re inviting everyone to get outside and experience Alabama’s natural beauty in a way only our trails can provide.”
Alabama’s ‘Year Of’ campaigns have a proven track record of boosting tourism and strengthening the state’s economy. The 2012 “Year of Alabama Food” campaign introduced Alabama’s culinary scene to 28 million visitors and won a U.S. Travel Association Award, resulting in such a tremendous success that it was relaunched in 2024. The 2020 “Year of Alabama Outdoors” campaign, launched during the pandemic, helped the state’s tourism industry rebound faster than most, proving that outdoor recreation is a powerful economic driver.
Outdoor recreation contributes $6.6 billion annually to Alabama’s economy, supporting more than 65,000 jobs and accounting for 2% of the state’s GDP, according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis. A 2021 Hoover Institution report recognized outdoor recreation as a key factor in Alabama’s economic growth and workforce retention.
The Year of Alabama Trails will build on this momentum, encouraging more people to explore and experience the state’s landscapes in ways that are both accessible and unforgettable.
“The Alabama Year of Trails provides an opportunity to highlight our state’s incredible natural beauty and recreational opportunities,” said Chris Blankenship, Commissioner of the Alabama Department of Conservation and Natural Resources. “With more than 250 miles of trails available at our State Parks and the unique experiences offered by the Alabama Forever Wild Land Trust, including hiking the stunning Walls of Jericho, the trill of mountain biking Coldwater Mountain, and the tranquil day trips and overnight opportunities on the Bartram and Perdido canoe trails in south Alabama, we are proud to offer exceptional hiking, biking and paddling opportunities to all Alabamians. I encourage everyone to explore the wide variety of trails and adventures available throughout the state this year.”
Many of Alabama’s premier trails are located within its 21 state parks, spanning more than 250 miles and 48,000 acres from the Gulf Coast to the Appalachians. Recent state park improvements have expanded access, while year-round programs, like guided hikes, volunteer cleanups and educational initiatives, promote community stewardship.
Beyond state parks, Alabama’s “25 Must-Tread Trails for 2025” highlights iconic trails and landscapes across the state, showcasing why Alabama one of the most biodiverse states in the nation. The 171-mile Pinhoti Trail in East Alabama connects hikers to the Appalachian Trail while the 33-mile Chief Ladiga Trail, Alabama’s first rails-to-trails project, brings cyclists closer to nature. The Red Rock Trail System expands urban trail access in Central Alabama while the Singing River Trail links communities in North Alabama. For paddlers, the Bartram Canoe Trail winds through the depths of “America’s Amazon” in Mobile-Tensaw Delta.
“Investing in Alabama’s trails strengthens communities, boosts local economies and expands outdoor access,” said Paul DeMarco, Alabama Trails Foundation Board President. “The Pinhoti Trail in East Alabama is a prime example, enhancing recreation opportunities while driving tourism and economic growth in the surrounding trail communities. Results-oriented investment across Alabama’s trails is a win-win for both residents and visitors.”
As the Year of Alabama Trails unfolds, a series of events and programs throughout the spring will encourage residents and visitors to engage with Alabama’s natural resources:
Innovate Alabama Outdoor Recreation Summit (Lake Guntersville State Park, April 21-22, 2025) – A statewide discussion on how outdoor recreation fuels economic growth and workforce retention.
Tour of Alabama Trails (April 23-26, 2025) – A multi-day cycling tour led by Rails to Trails Conservancy covering nearly 100 miles over three days along the Silver Comet-Chief Ladiga and Singing River Trail systems, beginning in Cedartown, Ga. and finishing in Birmingham.
Celebrate Trails Day (April 26, 2025) – The Birmingham event begins at the Market at Pepper Place, followed by a guided bike ride through Railroad Park Rail Trail, Rotary Trail, City Walk and the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute. Participants will enjoy lunch at Sloss Furnaces, an 8-mile bike ride on Five Mile Creek Greenway and an evening reception at Jemison Park Nature Trail.
Additional Year of Trails activations may be announced throughout the year encouraging residents and visitors to experience Alabama’s trails. To donate to the Alabama State Parks Foundation, visit https://asparksfoundation.org/give/. To learn more about the Year of Alabama Trails, visit https://alabama.travel/experience-alabama/outdoor/year-of-trails.
About Alabama Tourism
The Alabama Tourism Department has won honors from the World Travel Market: London, United States Travel Association, National Council of State Tourism Directors, Travel Weekly magazine, the Southeast Tourism Society, Southern Public Relations Federation and American Advertising Federation for its marketing campaigns. In 2024, Alabama’s tourism industry set a new record, welcoming nearly 29 million visitors and generating $24.2 billion in traveler spending. Tourism remains one of the state’s largest economic drivers, supporting 245,500 jobs and contributing $4.3 billion directly to Alabama’s economy. For more information, visit Alabama.Travel.
