Build a Hiking Trail

America is crisscrossed by thousands of miles of hiking trails, deep within national parks and forests and peppered around state public lands. Often, these dirt paths can take you far from any roads for a true wilderness experience.

Some of my most memorable moments in life have been deep in the backcountry, having snaked through the mountains on a well-maintained trail. A few weeks on the Appalachian Trail gave me new friends. Weekends in the secluded San Juan Mountains in Colorado taught me the importance of slowing down when life starts to get too hectic.

For many other Americans, too, these sorts of public land hiking trails represent the best way to explore the outdoors. State and federal agencies, as well as trail club partners, have worked tirelessly to build and maintain these footpaths, from the world-famous Pacific Crest Trail to little-known ones dotting the countryside. The best part is that most of them are accessible. They might require only a nominal entry fee, while others are free of charge to all.

For those of you with some land of your own, building