Amplifying Voices Across Our Community

Everyone deserves access to trails. We're supporting community partners and breaking down barriers, so that the trails of the future belong to everyone. And by amplifying voices from across the trail community and sharing stories, we can help people know we all belong in the outdoors.

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My Hair Was Made for Wild Adventure

By Chelsea Murphy

Helping Disabled People Find Belonging Outdoors

Accessibility can benefit everyone who spends time on trail | By Syren Nagakyrie

Using Science to Make Getting Outside Easier

Jun 15, 2020

What keeps people from getting outside? What are the barriers that make it hard to spend time on trail? Those are the questions that social scientists from the USDA Forest Service’s Pacific Northwest Research Station are trying to answer.

Talking About My Generation

Jun 11, 2020

Youth are a powerful force for trails.

Walking Through Past and Present: Seattle's Redlining Heritage Trail

The Redlining Heritage Trail offers a path to understanding, strength and empowerment | By Emi Okikawa

Our Community & Coronavirus

Mar 13, 2020

How we're working to keep our community safe. Updates on cancelled and rescheduled trail work parties and workshops. We are here for you: how we hope to be a source for moments of joy and inspiration.

3 Tips for Planning a Group Hiking Trip

Outdoor Leadership Training participants share the lessons they've learned. By Andrew Pringle

2019 Accomplishments: How Hikers Changed Trails for the Better this Year

2019 was a year to celebrate for Washington trails. Hikers all across the state have helped WTA fix trails, advocate for funding and ensure access to the trails we all love. Thank you for helping us build a future where there are trails for everyone, forever.

One Step at a Time: WTA’s Path to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

As 2019 draws to a close, we take a look back at our progress — and ahead to the potential — in our efforts to help build a more equitable hiking community | By Krista Dooley

7 Years Old, 19 Trip Reports, Excellent Candy Tips

Kai Tatineni has been hiking since he was 4. We love his enthusiastic trip reporters and excellent treat suggestions so much that we met him for a hike | By Dawn Hammer

I'm Not Alone

As a black, outdoorsy woman in a majority white area, I felt alone. But it turns out I’m not — there are black women, and black mothers, exploring the outdoors and finding joy on trails. Here’s how I’m using Instagram to build community — and increase representation for women of color. By Chelsea Murphy.

A Week at Mount Rainier Helped Build Community for Latina Teens

Each of the youth who joined the trip was unique and different, but they had one thing in common. None of them knew another Latina their age whom they could invite camping. By the end of the trip, they each knew seven other girls who shared both a part of their identity and their experience with the outdoors | By Sully Moreno

10,000 Outdoor Experiences: WTA's Training Model Grows from Community Needs

Through our Outdoor Leadership Training program, we're supporting community leaders as they nurture the connection between youth and the outdoors.

Teaching on Trail: Custom Workshops For Educators of Youth

Jan 06, 2020

Through workshops, a free gear library and trip funding, the OLT program provides customized training for educators who want to take youth groups outside.

Collin Tasaka, New OLT Instructor, Gets Youth Stoked to Go Outside

Oct 24, 2019

The newest member of WTA's Outdoor Leadership Training program is an enthusiastic advocate and role model for getting youth outside and on trail.

Throw Wide the Gates: Why Gatekeeping is Harmful to Hikers

Oct 01, 2019

Trails are for everyone, but not everyone feels welcome. Here are tips to be a more inclusive hiker.

Young Stewards Explore and Lend a Hand on Washington Trails

Sep 09, 2019

The power of partnerships helps the Deaf T-Birds, a high school group, get out to explore and clean up Olympic beaches.

Sharing a Love for Nature Through WTA

Jun 12, 2019

WTA member Maggie Oliver passes on the values of conservation to her students.

Community & Healing

Outdoor Asian has helped me connect to nature, my family and my culture | by Joan Hong

Wheeling in the Wild

How I kept hiking, backpacking and exploring the wild places I love, with the assistance of a wheelchair | by Jenny Schmitz