How To Build A Water Trail

Water trails connect scenic and historical sites along a riverway, lakeshore, or bay coastline for the recreational and educational benefit of paddlers, boaters, and other water users.

Establishing a water trail seems like an obvious and natural thing to do to foster interest in local waterways. It takes a lot of hard work, determination, and dedication to create and maintain a water trail.

To help you, here are  step-by-step guidelines—the ABCs of planning, building, and managing a water trail. Below is a brief description of the three sections followed by an outline which will take you to more detailed information

About Water Trails

Water trails connect scenic and historical sites along a riverway, lakeshore, or bay coastline for the recreational and educational benefit of paddlers, boaters, and other water users. Find out more about what water trails are and why they're important.

Turning the idea of a water trail into a reality will depend on the thoroughness of your planning. This section provides advice on getting started, developing grassroots support, and drafting a plan for building the trail.

You have created a nonprofit organization, identified the stakeholders and partners, and drafted a development plan for the trail. Now it is time to go to work—to create access sites, develop facilities, and prepare guide materials for trail users.

After the water trail has been established, the organization will be faced with a constant challenge: balancing the needs and values of recreation and conservation. Managing and maintaining a water trail may require the skills of some individuals who helped establish the trail.

Building Water Trails Guiding Principles