Note from 10Best: Someday, we'll all be ready to pack our suitcases again and head out on our next adventures. In the meantime, we'll keep supporting the places that inspire us. Contact individual cities for the latest updates.
This period of social distancing has many people looking for ways to get active in the great outdoors. Thanks to an ever-growing network of recreational trails across the country, staying active is easier than ever.
The top 10 winners in the category Best Recreational Trail are as follows:
- Chuck Huckelberry Loop - Tucson
- Virginia Creeper Trail - Virginia and North Carolina
- Ann and Roy Butler Hike-and-Bike Trail - Austin
- Swamp Rabbit Trail - Greenville, South Carolina
- Ke Ala Hele Makalae - Kauai, Hawaii
- Buffalo Bayou - Houston
- Jedediah Smith Memorial Trail - Sacramento
- C&O Canal Towpath - Washington, DC and Maryland
- Great Allegheny Passage - Maryland and Pennsylvania
- Katy Trail - Missouri
A panel of experts partnered with 10Best editors to pick the initial nominees, and the top 10 winners were determined by popular vote.
Congratulations to all these winning trails!
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The Experts
James Brasuell
James Brasuell has managed editorial content for Read More
James Brasuell has managed editorial content for Planetizen since 2014. Prior to joining Planetizen, James worked at the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design, as an editor at Curbed LA, as editor of The Planning Report, and as a freelance contributor for The Architect’s Newspaper, the Urban Land Institute – Los Angeles Chapter, FORM, KCET, and the California Planning & Development Report.
James Brasuell

James Brasuell has managed editorial content for Planetizen since 2014. Prior to joining Planetizen, James worked at the Cal Poly Pomona College of Environmental Design, as an editor at Curbed LA, as editor of The Planning Report, and as a freelance contributor for The Architect’s Newspaper, the Urban Land Institute – Los Angeles Chapter, FORM, KCET, and the California Planning & Development Report.
Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman
Katrina is a lecturer, researcher and advocate for... Read More
Katrina is a lecturer, researcher and advocate for heart-centered cities through her firm THINK.urban. She was included in BBC’s 2019 list of 100 Women and invited to speak at the annual event in London on the future of cities and women. As an applied urban anthropologist, her work focuses on human behavior in public space and the relationship between behavior and design. Through the use of “spatial ethnographies”, she utilizes principles of user experience research and design to assess the effectiveness of our urban habitats for a more heart-centered, feminist, and equitable city for all.
Katrina Johnston-Zimmerman

Katrina is a lecturer, researcher and advocate for heart-centered cities through her firm THINK.urban. She was included in BBC’s 2019 list of 100 Women and invited to speak at the annual event in London on the future of cities and women. As an applied urban anthropologist, her work focuses on human behavior in public space and the relationship between behavior and design. Through the use of “spatial ethnographies”, she utilizes principles of user experience research and design to assess the effectiveness of our urban habitats for a more heart-centered, feminist, and equitable city for all.
10Best Editors
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased... Read More
10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.
10Best Editors

10Best.com provides users with original, unbiased and experiential travel coverage of top attractions, things to see and do, and restaurants for top destinations in the U.S. and around the world.