Trailhead Communities on the xTexas Trail
The xTexas Trail winds through ranchlands, forests, canyons, and Main Streets—each one a chapter in the story of Texas. The people who live along this route are its caretakers, storytellers, and heartbeat.
A Trailhead Community is any town or county that embraces the trail as part of its identity—seeing it not just as a path for hikers, cyclists, and equestrians, but as a new opportunity for local pride, small-business growth, and conservation.
When a community chooses to partner with the xTexas Trail, it joins a growing network of towns that are shaping the next great legacy project in Texas.
What does it mean to be a Trailhead Community?
Becoming a Trailhead Community doesn’t require a city ordinance or big-budget development plan. It’s a shared handshake—a community saying, “We’re proud the xTexas Trail passes through here, and we want to welcome those who travel it.”
Trailhead Communities typically:
Provide trail users with safe, respectful access to local services and amenities (food, water, lodging, repairs, supplies).
Share local knowledge, history, and culture with visitors.
Work with xTexas to identify trailheads, signage, and wayfinding opportunities.
Collaborate on small improvements—like water stations, rest areas, or bike racks—that make the trail experience better for everyone.
Help spread the word about stewardship and responsible recreation.
In short: Trailhead Communities are the hosts of the xTexas Trail experience.
Why It Matters
Trails are powerful tools for small-town vitality. Trailhead Communities often see:
Increased tourism that supports local cafés, motels, outfitters, and artists.
Stronger local pride and cross-generational community projects.
New partnerships with landowners, schools, and conservation groups.
Improved infrastructure that benefits both residents and visitors.
The Arizona Trail, Continental Divide Trail, and others have shown it—trail communities become destinations. And nobody does destination hospitality like Texans.
“The Trail doesn’t just pass through towns - it depends on them.”
-Charlie Gandy, xTexas Trail Founder
Join the Network of xTx Trailhead Communities
If your town, chamber, EDC, or county wants to explore becoming an official Trailhead Community, we’d love to hear from you. We’ll help you:
Identify your trail connections and nearby access points.
Brainstorm potential improvements or local amenities.
Celebrate your community on the official xTexas Trail map and website.
Fill out the form below to express interest in becoming an xTx Trailhead Community!
Want to see what’s possible before you get started?
Visit our Resources for Community Leaders page for planning toolkits, trail design manuals, and funding opportunities.
Trailhead Community Interest Form
Thank you for your interest in becoming a Trailhead Community for the xTexas Trail!
By sharing your story and vision here, you help us understand how the trail connects to your people, your place, and your future.
Ready to start planning your community’s connection to the trail?
We’ve pulled together a short list of grants, training, and technical guides to help local leaders get started.