ROCK SPRINGS, Wyo. – March 31, 2026 – The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation and Wyoming State Trails Program are honored to bring the second-annual Mountain West Trails Conference, which debuted in Utah in 2024, to Wyoming this May. 

The two-day conference will take place on May 19-20, 2026, at the Sweetwater Events Complex in Rock Springs, WY, bringing together trail enthusiasts, professionals, and leaders from eight Mountain West states: Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Arizona, and New Mexico.

Day 1 is centered on hands-on workshops and field tours; attendees will choose between experiencing recreational opportunities firsthand and giving back to the trail community through restoration and signage projects across the Rock Springs area. The day will wrap up with a Wyoming-themed dinner and networking. Day 2 is jam-packed with engaging keynote, general, and breakout sessions. 

Joe Stone and Quinn Brett of Dovetail Trail Consulting will deliver the keynote address, offering a personal perspective on access, resilience, and the outdoors. Chris Perkins, vice president of programs at the Outdoor Recreation Roundtable, will present the organization’s Health Vision, “America’s Outdoor Era,” which positions outdoor recreation as a solution to some of the nation’s most pressing health challenges.

Breakout session topics will include the e-bike landscape in 2026; the evolution of off-road vehicle trail systems; trail tourism readiness; recreation mapping in rural Nevada; the potential of the Great American Rail-Trail through the Mountain West; trails and mining partnerships for local economic development; connecting youth to the outdoors through state policy; and celebrating federal partnerships.

“We are incredibly proud to welcome our partners and trail advocates from across the Mountain West to Wyoming,” said Frances Schaetz, outreach coordinator for the Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation. “This conference is an opportunity to highlight the important role trails play in our health, economies, and quality of life, while planning for their future success.”

Registration is $200/person and available online at http://wyorec.info/MWTC_Registration. 

Local businesses, organizations, and agencies are invited to support the event through sponsorship and exhibitor opportunities. Sponsorship levels and benefits are outlined in the sponsorship packet located at http://wyorec.info/MWTC_SponsorshipPacket. 

For sponsorship information, contact Sarah Kyle with Powerhouse Events at http://This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or (626) 660-6320.

The conference is a vital forum for exploring best practices and innovative ideas in trail development, effective stewardship, and community engagement. With an anticipated attendance of around 300 individuals from across the country, especially from the neighboring Mountain West states, it’s a key opportunity for networking, learning, and collaborative planning for the future of our region’s expansive trail systems.

For updated information regarding the conference, please refer to the event website, MountainWestTrailsConference.com, and the conference’s Facebook event page.

The Wyoming Office of Outdoor Recreation and the Wyoming State Trails program look forward to welcoming you to the heart of the Mountain West. 

Contact: Frances Schaetz, (307) 388-8748; http://This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.