Skill Definition

Monitor and document trail use and conditions to determine impacts on natural, social/experiential, historic, and cultural resources

Entry Level Performance

  • Demonstrate understanding on how to collect trail use data using trail counters, trailhead assessment, and/or surveys
  • Demonstrate understanding of the potential impacts that degrading trail conditions can have on user experience and natural, historic and cultural resources

Full Performance Level

  • Analyze trail use data to determine trail use patterns and quantity
  • Conduct and document the conditions of a trail to identify areas of concern related to user experience and natural, historic and cultural resources including permit/compliance issues
  • Implement monitoring programs at a variety of scales

Expert Level Performance

  • Coordinate with resource specialists to identify site-based monitoring needs and develop monitoring plans
  • Train personnel in the data collection and analysis included per the monitoring plan
  • Evaluate data collection to assess potential trail use or condition issues and identify actions to reduce or eliminate threats

Resources for Inspections/Monitoring

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Documents and Media for Inspections/Monitoring


Trail Skills Training Library

Recorded Trainings for Inspections/Monitoring

Digital Transformation of Trail Management and Monitoring
Digital Transformation of Trail Management and Monitoring

Mike Linnane of Evolve Technologies and award-winning Trail Manager Eoin Hogan will present on the development path of the world’s first integrated digital trail management system. The webinar will outline the evolution from a paper-based trail…

Wilderness Trails: Special Places, Special Considerations.
Wilderness Trails: Special Places, Special Considerations.

This webinar will provide some basic information on trails in federally-designated Wilderness, examples of practical experiences, and resources to learn more. Presented by: Pete Irvine, retired, USDA Forest Service Dan Abbe, Wilderness Specialist,…


Further Education

Training Programs for Inspections/Monitoring

Jacksonville State University - Trail Science Institute (TSI)
Jacksonville State University - Trail Science Institute (TSI)

The TSI focuses on the promotion of recreational trails, primarily in the State of Alabama, by providing educational experiences and providing services such as assessment, monitoring, management, planning, and construction. The TSI defines trails as…

The Harbinger Consultancy Timeline Institute Online Courses
The Harbinger Consultancy Timeline Institute Online Courses

The Harbinger Consultancy's Timeline Institute Online Courses combine instruction, coaching, group learning and step-by-step templates based on 30+ years of working with communities, regions and supporting organizations. They offer you guided access…

Sustainable Trails Development
Sustainable Trails Development

The Sustainable Trails curriculum welcomes students from various fields who are interested in trails development, programming and management, as well as design.

Advancing Trails Webinar Series
Advancing Trails Webinar Series

American Trails brings agencies, trail builders, planners, architects, advocates, and volunteers the latest in state-of-the-art information on all aspects of trails and greenways. Our webinars focus on a variety of trail topics, usually applicable…

Training Calendar

Upcoming Trainings for Inspections/Monitoring

Turning Trail Work Into Measurable Impact
American Trails
American Trails

Custom Trainings

There are 78 trainers on TrailSkills
with Inspections/Monitoring experience

Hire Workers

There are 304 workers on TrailSkills
with Inspections/Monitoring experience

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Know of a good resource for this skill? Let us know! From webinars, to workshops, to PDFs, we'd like to add them to our resource library.

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Trail Skills Collaborators
Federal Highway Administration USDA Forest Service National Park Service Bureau of Land Management
American Trails Professional TrailBuilders Association Partnership for the National Trails System Northern Vermont University Northwest Arkansas Community College Eppley Institute Society of Outdoor Recreation Professionals Washington Trails Association