Germantown Earns National IMBA Trail Town Designation
Germantown in Maryland has been recognized as a 2026 IMBA Trail Town, a new national designation from the International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) honoring communities with an exceptional commitment to building, maintaining, and celebrating trail systems.
The IMBA Trail Town designation recognizes communities that are leading with trails by demonstrating strong trail infrastructure, a commitment to trail funding, an active local trail organization, a culture of community engagement, and a sustainable trail stewardship plan. Together, these criteria support healthy lifestyles, local economies, and outdoor recreation access.
Germantown is home to the South Germantown Bike Park, a community hub for mountain bike events, youth rides, adaptive programming, volunteer activities, and festivals. Its proximity to over 200 miles of natural surface trails managed by Montgomery County as well as extensive trail systems in Seneca Creek State Park and Patuxent River State Park make Germantown a destination for outdoor lovers. These trails are stewarded by the Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE), the local mountain bike club and trail advocacy organization, in partnership with Montgomery Parks and the Maryland Department of Natural Resources.
“Receiving the IMBA Trail Town designation recognizes the incredible collaboration between volunteers, local organizations, land managers, and community leaders who have worked for years to build and care for our trails,” said MORE President Casey Anderson.
Trail systems are increasingly recognized as important drivers of outdoor recreation economies. Communities that invest in trails often see benefits including increased tourism, support for local businesses, improved public health, and stronger community connections to the outdoors. The American outdoor recreation economy continues to grow: in 2024, it reached $1.3 trillion in economic activity while employing 5.2 million people. Maryland contributed $10.6 billion to the nation’s outdoor economy while providing over 85,000 jobs.
“Trails are an important part of what makes Montgomery County such a great place to live and visit,” said Miti Figueredo, Director of Montgomery Parks. “This recognition highlights how outdoor recreation in parks contributes to our local economy and quality of life.”
As part of the Trail Town designation, Germantown joins 28 communities leading a growing national network of trail-forward places committed to trail stewardship, collaboration, and expanding access to outdoor recreation.
“IMBA congratulates Germantown on its IMBA Trail Town designation,” said David Wiens, IMBA Executive Director. “IMBA Trail Towns are leading with trails by demonstrating how trails support thriving, resilient communities. The IMBA Trail Town designation is more than a badge of honor. It’s national recognition that a community values trails and the people who ride them.”
Local trail leaders say the recognition will help strengthen future partnerships and support continued trail development and stewardship.
For more information about local trails and how to get involved, visit more-mtb.org.
For more information about the IMBA Trail Town designation, visit https://www.imba.com/designation/trail-town.
Media contact: Jali Fernando, MORE Executive Director
jali.fernando@more-mtb.org
About MORE
Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts (MORE) is a 501c3 nonprofit that builds, maintains, and advocates for public, sustainable, natural surface trails in Maryland, Virginia, and Washington DC. MORE volunteers put in over 17,000 hours of work annually, stewarding 975 miles of trail in 65 parks across the region.
About IMBA
The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) is a 501c3 nonprofit that creates, enhances, and protects great places to ride mountain bikes. IMBA is focused on Leading with Trails by partnering with communities on trail advocacy, education, stewardship and sustainable trail solutions, so everyone has access to great places to ride and recreate.