Summer Trails Challenge

Bozeman is teeming with trails. Biking trails, hiking trails, trails for dogs, trails for horses, woodland trails, wetland trails—there is a trail for pretty much every kind of trail user. Most people, however, never stop to consider how those trails got there in the first place and who exactly keeps them in such tip-top condition.

Great trail systems and beautiful outdoor recreational spaces don’t happen by accident. They require an inspiring vision, thoughtful planning, community input and collaboration. Since 1990, Gallatin Valley Land Trust (GVLT) has worked with the city of Bozeman and dozens of public and private organizations to build the Main Street to the Mountains system that includes more than 100 miles of trails. Brainchild of GVLT founder Chris Boyd, the trails are free. They are open to the public. They require no special equipment or instructions. And, they are perfect for families.

In 2016, GVLT kicked off the first annual Summer Trails Challenge, a month-long, community-wide celebration of all things trails. Since that time, Gallatin Valley runners, walkers, hikers and dog walkers have logged over 400,000 miles for area trails. In fact, this community loves Summer Trails Challenge so much, it won the 2023 Bozeman Choice Award for the best Summer Sports/Recreation event of the summer.

The Summer Trails Challenge engages families and individuals with our community trails system. “We know that people are moving to the area for lots of reasons,” says Matt Parsons, GVLT Trails Program Director, “but trails and outdoor recreation are almost always at the top of the list. Many of these folks are not only unfamiliar with the trails system, but they are coming from communities without a culture of outdoor recreation and trail stewardship.” The goal of the challenge is to encourage people to hit the trails and give them ownership in the trails system while simultaneously raising necessary funds for their maintenance and care.

Here’s how it works: Local businesses contribute to the Summer Trails Challenge Community Match Pool. Then, people in the community run, bike or walk on area trails—any trail, any time—no registration required. These miles are recorded on the GVLT Summer Trails Challenge webpage at www.gvlt.org and GVLT gets $1 from the Match Pool for every mile logged. There is no other fundraiser in town that allows everyone to participate, regardless of age, income, availability or fitness level—just by getting outside to do what you want to be doing anyway.

We all know that the health benefits of trails and outdoor recreation are profound, for kids and adults alike. Outdoor recreation, parks and trails improve quality of life and enhance community well-being in a myriad of ways. The benefits of interacting with nature include lower blood pressure and levels of the stress hormone, cortisol. Getting outside increases physical activity, reduces screen time and promotes better sleep, all of which are associated with a stronger immune system. Children who lack exposure to nearby green spaces are more likely to develop depression and anxiety in later years. Simple access to safe outdoor spaces coupled with regular physical activity has been documented to improve both physical and mental health for people of all ages.

We are fortunate to live in a community that takes such good care of its lands and trails—and its kids. Summer Trails Challenge is your chance to pitch in and give back to the trail system that gives us so much. This year’s trail challenge will run from June 3 through 30. For more information or to log your miles, please visit the GVLT website at https://gvlt.org/events/ challenge/.