Our Second Annual Trail-A-Thon, kicking off this Monday, Sept. 13, and running through Oct. 31, is a chance to support sustainable trails and healthy parks while exploring nature. Check out a favorite park, try out a new trail, or take a lap around your neighborhood.  Registration is open, so sign up today!

Monday is the kick-off to track your mileage and work toward achieving your goal. The official challenge is 101 miles, but that doesn’t mean you can’t do more–or less! The Trail-A-Thon is about getting outdoors, connecting with nature, and celebrating the Trail Conference's 101 years of service.

While ticking off your miles, you’ll also have the opportunity to raise money for the Trail Conference and protect the land you love in the process.* This year’s Trail-A-Thon will help raise awareness and financial support for our mission into our second century.

Interested in joining as a corporate team or becoming a sponsor? Email [email protected].

*Participants will be asked to agree to raising and/or donating a minimum of $50 upon registration. All funds go directly to supporting the Trail Conference mission.

Trail Supervisors are a key part of the Trail Conference. They are the boots on the ground that oversee a team of Trail Maintainers and ensure the trails in their assigned area are cared for and in good condition. Without our Trail Supervisors, we couldn’t maintain over 2,000 miles of trails so that the public has a safe and positive experience outdoors.

We are looking for Trail Supervisors to oversee the following parks:

New Jersey
– New Jersey Palisades: Oversees trails in Closter Nature Center, Flat Rock Brook Nature Center, Lamont Reserve, Palisades Interstate Park, Tenafly Nature Center
– Garret Mountain Reservation and Rifle Camp Park

New York Catskills
– Belleayre Region: Oversees trails in the Big Indian Wilderness
– Hunter-West Kill: Oversees trails in the Hunter-West Kill Wilderness

New York Long Path
– Wawarsing to Slide Mountain: Oversees the Long Path in southern Catskill Park

Opportunity #1: Join the Squash Squad! As part of the Squash Squad, you will receive an assignment to visit one of the known infestation areas in our region and start squashing bugs. After receiving your squashing assignment, we ask all Squash Squad volunteers to touch base with us to let us know when they were at the site, how many hours they dedicated to the effort, and how many SLF were removed/squashed! We will also provide guidance on how to check your equipment and clothing carefully to ensure you don't bring back any bugs with you!

Opportunity #2: Become a Spot the Spotted Lanternfly Survey Volunteer: If you are interested in joining our SLF survey effort, we will be hosting a Spot the Spotted Lanternfly Training Workshop: Adult SLF and Host Tree Identification and Reporting on Thursday, Sept. 16, from 7-8 p.m.. In this webinar, you will be introduced to the basics of SLF biology and life cycle, the threats the insect poses to our region's ecosystems and economy, identification tips for adult SLF and its primary host tree, tree-of-heaven, as well as how to report your findings to iMapInvasives, the official reporting app and database for New York State. Following the training, volunteers will receive a specific assignment to survey for spotted lanternfly surrounding a parking area and/or trailhead that is convenient to your home or near a trail you've been wanting to explore. 

Opportunity #3: SLF Trap Checker: We need your help in checking and counting what was captured at the traps we have placed at the infestation sites in New York. Volunteers will be assigned a handful of traps to check once every two weeks to report the overall number caught, the date the traps were checked, and how many hours were dedicated to the effort.

Opportunity #4: Donate to the Effort: You can also play a vital role in our efforts to stop spotted lanternfly, just by donating to our Ecological Stewardship Fund. The fund ensures our team is supported and ready for action when invasives pose an urgent threat to the ecosystems in our area. 

If you are interested in one of the above opportunities, please email us at [email protected] and we will get you signed up and ready to go!

Please be sure to call your local park office before visiting to ensure the park is open. Current closures include:

– Fahnestock State Park: Washed Out Bridge on the Perkins Trail + Appalachian Trail Duell Hollow Bridge Collapsed
– Tackamack Town Park: Long Path Bridge in Tackamack Town Park Damaged
– Ramapo Valley County Reservation Closed
– Minnewaska State Park Preserve: Hamilton Point Carriage Road Closed Until Further Notice
– Morristown National Historic Park: Patriot's Path Passaic River Bridge Washed Out

Help be our eyes and ears by reporting any trail issues you encounter with our Trail Issue Report form.

Looking to plan your next adventure? Stay updated with all the latest closures, park updates, and trail improvements, all listed in one place. 

Pro tip: Bookmark this page + refer to it as an essential step of your trip planning.

Remember to #RecreateResponsibly.

The Trail Conference is seeking a Field Trail Builder and an Office and Community Relations Assistant.  Both these positions are full-time and based out of our headquarters in Mahwah, N.J. 

Are you a season ticket holder? Do you own a business that caters to the outdoor community? Do you have a vacation home you occasionally rent? Have you acquired airline miles? 

It would be an honor to have your support with an in-kind donation for our Centennial Gala's silent auction. For donated auction product, your name and/or organization will receive special signage next to the donated item. You will also receive acknowledgment in the gala program. Additional examples of in-kind donations for our silent auction are new and unused gear items, catered dinners, or experiences.

Please note that order processing and shipping is currently delayed. All orders are being handled and shipped carefully.

Get tips on where to hike or learn a new skill with our recorded workshops and talks, available to watch anytime.