Through a public engagement process, California trail users, advocates, and professionals will share what’s missing, what’s working, and what could be better when it comes to nonmotorized recreational trails across the state. Informed by public feedback and insights, the California Trails Survey will identify trail access barriers as well as gaps and opportunities in the trail network, and generate a regionally prioritized list of project types that can expand access to safe, high-quality trails statewide. The findings will guide future Proposition 4 (Climate Bond) funding for trail-related projects and inform updates to the California Recreational Trails Plan. The data will also be shared with the departments, conservancies, commissions and boards within the California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) to support informed trail grant decisions.
The survey does not define or exclude specific types of trails and respondents may choose to include feedback pertaining to urban trails, bike paths, greenways, Forest Service roads, and/or other types of recreational trail routes if use of those types of infrastructure are relevant to personal experiences.
A non-motorized trail is a designated route intended for recreational use by people traveling without the assistance of a motorized device, such as hikers, runners, bicyclists, and equestrians. Devices defined as a “wheelchair” and used for mobility assistance for people with disabilities, whether motorized or not, are allowed on non-motorized trails.
In some cases, electric bicycles (e-bikes) may be permitted on non-motorized trails, depending on land management policies and trail design considerations. When allowed, e-bikes are generally limited to specific classes and are managed to ensure they are compatible with other trail users and do not compromise safety, sustainability, or the intended non-motorized character of the trail.
The California Natural Resources Agency (CNRA) and California Department of Parks and Recreation, commonly called California State Parks and DPR, are leading this effort in partnership and are engaging a consultant, PlaceWorks, as well as trails partners across California to ensure a robust, inclusive effort.
Partners are encouraged to share the California Trails Survey with members of the communities they represent to ensure that feedback is comprehensive and reflects all types of trail users throughout the state.
Agencies and departments are launching programs and grant opportunities to distribute Climate Bond funds. Public input is needed as part of the launch to shape new programs to respond to community needs and priorities.
This is a statewide, primarily virtual engagement effort. All Californians can participate online through this project website and virtual meetings no matter where they live or recreate. All trail users, from occasional trail goers to long-distance hikers, bikers, and equestrians, are encouraged to share their experiences and observations. Feedback from trail advocates and trail professionals about existing conditions and future opportunities for trail systems across the state, including outside of the state park system, is also requested.
There are multiple ways people can engage in the process, including: take a survey and stay informed via the project website and social media.
CNRA, DPR, and their partners are working to promote this initiative to diverse communities throughout the state to ensure survey responses reflect all those who use and would like to use California trails for recreation. The survey, website, and public meeting recordings can be translated into multiple languages so that information may be shared with as many Californians as possible.
This effort centers community voices to ensure future investments in trails advance equity, close access gaps, and reflect the needs and priorities of diverse regions and communities. This is in alignment with the Governor and First Partner’s Outdoors for All initiative, which aims to expand access to the outdoors for all Californians, particularly for communities that lack access to trails and would most benefit from using trails. Future investments are intended to provide meaningful and direct benefits in many ways, including expanding access to parks and green spaces, supporting tribal stewardship, creating local jobs, and providing long-term climate and community benefits.
The survey will be open through end of April 2026. Input gathered through the survey, virtual public meetings, and tribal outreach and consultations will be analyzed and summarized to identify findings and regionally specific insights that will help shape future trail planning, grant programs, and on-the-ground improvements. Preliminary survey results will be shared and discussed at the California Trails & Greenways training event in April 2026. Additional feedback from Trails & Greenways participants will be incorporated in the California Trails Survey final report which will be released in June. Findings will shape future funding programs for trails projects and updates to the California Recreational Trails Plan. Updates to the Plan in 2027 will respond to needs and opportunities identified through this process.
If you wish to receive findings or participate in follow-up discussions, please provide your contact information on the form here. Findings from the California Trails Survey will help to inform you of the types of trails projects that could be prioritized for future funding opportunities.
Approved by voters in 2024, the Proposition 4 (Climate Bond) invests $10 billion in local projects that strengthen communities and increase the state’s resilience to the impacts of climate change. The Climate Bond will fund wildfire prevention and improvement of drinking water facilities, protection of nature, coastal resilience, and public access to parks, trails, and the coast. These funds will support projects that make a tangible, lasting difference in communities across California by making them more resilient in the face of severe weather events and improving aging infrastructure, while promoting greater access to public spaces for all Californians. At least 40% of Climate Bond funding must benefit disadvantaged and severely disadvantaged communities and vulnerable populations. CNRA and its partner departments are committed to ensuring these investments reach the Californians who need them most.
The bond includes funds to enhance and expand existing trails and create new trails, with a focus on helping communities foster outdoor recreational opportunities and supporting trail development in regions that have historically been underserved. No specific Climate Bond trails program is established to date, however results from the California Trails Survey will help inform how Climate Bond funds could be spent on future trails investments.
The California Recreational Trails Plan is a guide produced by DPR for all California agencies and recreation providers who plan, maintain, and manage trails. The Plan assesses present and future demand for trails, identifies priorities, and recommends an integrated system of trail routes. Preparation of a recreational trails plan was authorized by the Legislature in 1978 as an element of the California Recreational Trails Act. The Plan was last updated in 2011. The California Trails Survey will inform forthcoming updates to the Plan.
This statewide Plan currently includes 12 goals that provide guidance and direction for establishing and maintaining California’s trail systems. Some of the current goals of the Plan include multi-use trail cooperation, trail accessibility, statewide trail stewardship, and advocacy and collaboration. Each of the 12 goals have associated action guidelines that are flexible to allow for specific agency needs but also provide strong direction for creating and maintaining a well-designed and well-used statewide system of trails and greenways. The priorities and issues identified in the Plan are used to create criteria for grant programs that are administered at both the state and local level.
While the Plan has been updated periodically, it has never been able to reach its full potential by providing a regional component. The information obtained from the California Trails Survey provides an opportunity to explore regional needs and establish priorities based on those needs.
Your privacy is important to us. All survey responses will be analyzed in aggregate to identify trends and insights that inform trail planning and funding decisions. Individual responses will not be shared publicly, and no personal identifiable information will be disclosed. Participation in the survey is voluntary, and any contact information you choose to provide (such as an email address to receive updates) will be used only for project-related communications and will not be sold, shared, or used for any other purpose. This project complies with the California Natural Resources Agency's Privacy Policy and other applicable state privacy laws. For more information, please refer to our Privacy Policy here.
