The American Discovery Trail announces the America 250 Relay - Summer-Fall 2026, in Missouri Sep 29-Oct 2

The American Discovery Trail Society has announced a nationwide relay event to take place summer and fall of 2026, starting July 4th, 2026.

The relay will be in Missouri from September 29th to October 2nd. You can join the relay as a participant or spectator on the Relay Page. 

American Discovery 250 Relay - Sep 29-Oct 2, 2026 in Missouri

As part of the America250 celebrations this year, the American Discovery Trail Society will be coordinating a nationwide relay event along the entire 6800+ mile American Discovery Trail (ADT) from California to Delaware. The event is entitled “American Discovery 250 Relay: One Trail · One Nation· 250 Years in Motion” and is scheduled to take place in the summer and fall of 2026.

 

The Society aims to recruit thousands of people to pass the baton across our land, and through a variety of non-motorized means including running, walking, wheelchair, biking and horseback riding. Individuals, families, groups and businesses will be encouraged to take part. The map below shows the route of the ADT and of the relay. The relay will split into two from Denver, CO and reunite in Cincinnati, OH.

 

Currently celebrating its 35th anniversary, the American Discovery Trail goes from sea to shining sea, and one can enjoy the trail in any of the fifteen states that it traverses, seeing many ecosystems, historic sites, cultural venues, and local communities, ranging from large metropolitan areas to small towns and wilderness areas. Long-distance travelers may see and experience over 1,000 species of plants and animals, while local users can see hundreds of species. All also benefit from amenities along the way and contribute to local economies, be it eating at restaurants or sleeping in campgrounds or hotels. 

 

Join us in uniting the country with a coast-to-coast event that starts on the 4th of July and ends by Thanksgiving. We are seeking participants, sponsors, donors, and local hosts. To keep up with details on the event, please visit our website: discoverytrail.org.

 

In Missouri the American Discovery Trail crosses the Mississippi River at St Louis, follow the Katy and then Rock Island Trails to the outskirts of the Kansas City metro area, then through Lee's Summit, Raytown, and Kansas City before joining the Blue River and Indian Creek Trail systems to enter Kansas.

You can download the full American Discovery Trail route files here - FREE in 2026 in honor of the 250th anniversary.