The NKY Regional Trails Plan is a bold effort to connect Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties through a unified network of paved and natural surface trails. Led by Tri-State Trails and the Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA), the plan brings together over 45 local governments, business leaders, and community stakeholders to create a shared vision for a regional Braided Trail Network, a combination of paved multi-use paths and natural surface trails for hiking and mountain biking.
Inspired by OneNKY’s vision, the plan sparks momentum across Northern Kentucky by coordinating planning efforts, advancing cross-jurisdictional trail projects, and laying the groundwork for future funding and construction. By aligning with the success of peer cities like Bentonville, Boulder, and Knoxville, Northern Kentucky has a unique opportunity to leverage its outdoor assets to attract visitors, talent, and investment.
In addition to leveraging outdoor recreation as an economic driver, the plan focuses on expanding safe, equitable transportation options and increasing opportunities for walking and biking as everyday modes of travel. Tri-State Trails and CORA are working closely with regional partners to map existing trails, identify key opportunities, and package top-priority corridors into signature projects with clear funding and implementation strategies.
The NKY Regional Trails Plan envisions a safe, connected trail network that links communities, supports active transportation and recreation, and enhances quality of life across Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties. By prioritizing equity, health, and economic opportunity, the plan aims to make trails essential infrastructure for all.
The project team has prepared the NKY Regional Trails Plan. Please click the link below to review. This document is currently being reviewed by the NKY Regional Trails Plan Steering Committee and key stakeholders.
Northern Kentucky Regional Trails Plan (181.36 MB)
The project team developed a StoryMap for the NKY Regional Trails Plan to present proposed trail connections. It highlights existing and funded trails, shows proposed paved multi-use trails, and identifies eight natural surface trail focus areas. Use the instructions below to navigate the StoryMap. After exploring, please take our online survey to share your feedback.
Scroll through the NKY Regional Trails Plan to explore the project overview and proposed trail connections.
Note: All trail alignments are preliminary and may be updated in the future based on public input and Steering Committee feedback.
Boone County, Kenton County, Campbell County, Alexandria, Bellevue, Bromley, Cold Spring, Covington, Crescent Springs, Crestview Hills, Dayton, Edgewood, Erlanger, Florence, Fort Thomas, Fort Wright, Highland Heights, Independence, Ludlow, Newport, Park Hills, Ryland Heights, Silver Grove, Southgate, Taylor Mill, Union, Walton, Wilder, Boone Conservancy, Campbell County Conservation District, Kenton County Conservancy
OneNKY Alliance, KYTC District 6, Northern Kentucky Health Department, Northern Kentucky Area Development District, BeNKY Growth Partnership, OKI Regional Council of Governments, Southbank Partners, NKY Chamber of Commerce, MeetNKY, Ohio River Way, Banklick Watershed Council, Northern Kentucky University, Friends of AJ Jolly Park, ReNewport, Ride the Cov
176 miles
168 miles
252 miles
338 miles
Cincinnati Off-Road Alliance (CORA) and Tri-State Trails (TST) are building on years of work to expand trail and bikeway opportunities across Northern Kentucky. Recent initiatives include the Covington + Newport Bicycle Transportation Plan, authored by Tri-State Trails and adopted in 2024, and the Saratoga Street Bikeway, an ongoing planning effort in Newport. CORA continues to grow and maintain natural surface trails in Sargeant Park (Dayton), Tower Park (Fort Thomas), Devou Park (Covington), and England Idlewild Park (Burlington).
The NKY Regional Trails Plan builds on this momentum by envisioning a Braided Trail Network across Boone, Campbell, and Kenton counties. This interconnected system of paved and natural surface trails is envisioned to provide continuous routes that link communities and destinations while offering flexible options for people walking, biking, and exploring outdoors.
Inspired by peer cities like Boulder, Bentonville, Chattanooga, and Atlanta, the plan demonstrates how regional trail connectivity can strengthen communities, improve active transportation, and enhance quality of life. A Steering Committee of local, county, state, and regional partners has guided the process since March 2025, working to review existing conditions, refine proposed trail routes, and prioritize connections across the network.
A Braided Trail Network is an interconnected system of paved multi-use paths and natural surface trails that link communities and destinations. It allows people to mix and match routes, whether walking, biking, hiking, or mountain biking—for a flexible, continuous experience tailored to their preferences and skill level.
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