Get Dirty on National Trails Day, says Mike Rowe

Mike Rowe, host of Dirty Jobs, is encouraging Americans to get dirty outdoors on National Trails Day. (Image courtesy: AHS)

Mike Rowe, the well-known host of Dirty Jobs, is encouraging Americans to hit the trail and get dirty on Saturday, June 4, for National Trails Day.

“I'm supporting National Trails Day because trails are a lot more interesting than highways,” says Rowe. “You can't go as fast, but the scenery is a lot more interesting, the air smells much better, and there aren't any tolls. Walking around outdoors has kept me sane for years, (sort of) and I can't recommend it enough.”

American Hiking Society celebrates its 19th annual National Trails Day on Saturday, June 4.

Be one of the hundreds of thousands of people across the country that will take part in more than 2,000 events in all 50 states, including trail maintenance projects, hiking, paddling, biking, horseback riding, bird watching, running, trail celebrations, concerts, and more.

National Trails Day is also an opportunity to thank the millions of volunteers who get covered in dirt in order to give back to the trails. Without them, we wouldn’t have the amazing trails we do today. Last year, nearly 40,000 volunteers contributed 190,000 hours of volunteer labor and more than 3,000 miles of trail were maintained or constructed on National Trails Day.

“There are so many reasons,” says Rowe, “to get off the concrete for a while. The fact that millions of people have never really experienced the woods or the mountains is borderline tragic.”

When asked to elaborate on his affection for the outdoors, Rowe recalled his time hiking a considerable piece of the Appalachian Trail. “Those were some of the best times I've ever had. Hiking with friends, cooking outdoors, sleeping under the stars...those experiences stick with you for years. They're worth doing, and they're available to everyone.”

American Hiking Society trail crew in Washington's Snoqualmie National Forest. (Image courtesy: AHS)

American Hiking Society’s National Trails Day is a time to enjoy our natural spaces and get healthy outdoors and on America’s expansive network of trails. Hit the trail for a hike, bike, or run. Get down with the brown and get your hands dirty on a trail maintenance project. Where will you be on June 4th?

National Trails Day

Saturday, June 4, 2011

Event locations nationwide

For More Information

Find a National Trails Day event in your area.

Register your event.

Contact Heather Sable to host an event or for more info.

Heather Sable is Trail Programs Manager at American Hiking Society, one of the outdoor and environmental non-profit organizations that Trailspace supports.

Founded in 1976, American Hiking Society is the only national, recreation-based nonprofit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting America’s hiking trails, their surrounding natural areas, and the hiking experience. American Hiking is a membership organization with programs like the National Trails Fund grant program, Volunteer Vacations- week-long trail work projects, and National Trails Day, the largest trails celebration in the country.

Mike Rowe is the creator, executive producer, and host of Discovery Channel’s Emmy-nominated series Dirty Jobs with Mike Rowe. Rowe has spent years traveling the country, working as an apprentice on more than 250 jobs that most people would go out of their way to avoid.