Partners prepare Nationwide events ahead of National Public Lands Day
GOLDEN, CO (Sept. 1, 2026)—As summer winds down, efforts to build support and awareness of public lands and trails are ramping up. The Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS), in collaboration with REI Co-op and the Continental Divide Trail Coalition (CDTC), is leading a nationwide campaign to elevate awareness of the National Trails System leading up to National Public Lands Day on Sept. 26.
Through a series of free public events and organized outdoor activities, campaign partners also hope to inspire stewardship, volunteerism, and community engagement across America’s National Scenic and Historic Trails.
The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDT) will be featured throughout the campaign as one of the nation’s premier National Scenic Trails. The partnership and events demonstrate how collaboration facilitates valuable connections between people, trails and public lands, and the ongoing efforts to manage and steward these shared spaces.
“One of the most common ways for people to experience shared spaces and public lands is through our National Trail System. Partnerships highlight the breadth of support for protecting and preserving both the existence of our trails and the public lands they traverse,” said CDTC Executive Director Teresa Martinez.
CDTC will help coordinate events including a flagship event in Dillon, Colorado, as well as events hosted by participating REI Co-op stores along the CDT in New Mexico and Montana. The main Colorado event will begin with a trail cleanup at Gold Hill Trailhead near Breckenridge from 9 a.m. to noon, featuring light physical trail maintenance and trail education. Immediately afterward, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m., REI Co-op will host a community celebration with local organizations and the broader community, featuring a film screening, information booths and gear-fitting demonstrations. All events are free and open to the public.
As one of 11 National Scenic Trails in the U.S., the CDT is a transcontinental pathway through the Rocky Mountains along the Continental Divide through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho, and Montana. According to the CDTC Annual Report, 91% of the CDT’s nearly 3,100-mile congressionally designated route occurs on federally managed public lands.
Find more information and a list of CDT events on the CDTC website.
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About Partnership for the National Trail System
The Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) is a 501(c)(3) that connects member not-for-profit trail organizations and Federal agency partners to further the protection, completion, and stewardship of the 32 national scenic and historic trails within the National Trails System.
The PNTS advocates on behalf of the National Trails System as a whole for land preservation and stewardship resources. Other major roles of the PNTS include the collection and dissemination of National Trails news and the development of outreach initiatives and youth programming. More information available at https://pnts.org/.
About the Continental Divide Trail
The CDT is one of the world’s premier long-distance trails, stretching 3,100 miles from Mexico to Canada along the Continental Divide. Designated by Congress in 1978, the CDT is the highest, most challenging, and most remote of the 11 National Scenic Trails. It provides recreational opportunities ranging from hiking to horseback riding to hunting for thousands of visitors each year. While 95% of the CDT is located on public land, approximately 150 miles are still in need of protection.
About the Continental Divide Trail Coalition
The CDTC was founded in 2012 by volunteers and recreationists hoping to provide a unified voice for the Trail. Working hand-in-hand with the U.S. Forest Service and other federal land management agencies, the CDTC is a non-profit partner supporting stewardship of the CDT. The mission of the CDTC is to complete, protect, and elevate the Continental Divide National Scenic Trail, a world-class resource. For more information, sponsorship opportunities, or to get involved, contact [email protected].