Welcome to Trail University!

Trail University seeks to improve the overall quality of trails by improving trail-related knowledge, understanding and skill base of Trail Conference volunteers, staff and partners.

We are proud to offer an outstanding faculty, small class sizes, and free tuition* to active Trail Conference members. Whether you have no experience with the Trail Conference, are a brand new volunteer, or are a returning Trail U alum, we have courses that will get you outdoors, keep you interested, and equip you with surprising new skills.

Our workshops are taught by professionals who are also volunteers doing what they love. Our student body at Trail U is a vibrant, fun community of dedicated individuals of all ages. From trail building and maintenance, to shelter caretaking, to stone splitting, sign up now to get outside and give back. We guarantee you’ll not only be taught, you’ll be inspired.

Let us prepare you for a day or a lifetime out on the trail. Learn how to perform first aid, use tools, monitor land, or identify invasives. In the same spirit that established Trail U on Bear Mountain in 2006, we invite you to come build your knowledge and skills, and create, protect, and promote our area’s trails.

Check out our current workshop schedule and full course catalog:

This Season's Workshops - for our current workshop schedule and to sign up.

Complete Course Catalog - for all workshops presented or sponsored by the Trail Conference.

Please register in advance online. Class size is limited. More information will be sent to registrants shortly before workshop date. Workshops are held rain or shine.

* Introductory and orientation courses (all such courses begin with "Introduction" or "Orientation" and are designated in their description) are open to the public and do not require a registration fee. You do not need to be a member of the Trail Conference to participate in one of these courses. For intermediate to advanced level courses, membership is required in the Trail Conference and there is a registration fee.

For active members of the Trail Conference, the fee for any intermediate to advanced course can be waived when they are recommended by Trail Chairs, Supervisors, Crew Chiefs, Committee Chairs or Trail Conference staff.  Members may be recommended directly by leaders or may request that they be recommended for a course.  Preference for attendance will be given to those receiving recommendations, but space will be made available for a limited number of members who pay the full registration fee to attend the workshop.