2025 Membership Update FAQs 

Since 1920, Trail Conference members have played a central role in our organization, leading the way in responsible trail use for all outdoor enthusiasts and providing crucial and consistent funding that sustains our team and grows our trail community.  

Below are just a few projects we could not have realized without the support of our members:  

• Complete massive storm recovery efforts in Harriman-Bear Mountain State Park in the wake of Hurricane Helene 
• Lead the way in ecological stewardship with our groundbreaking Conservation Dogs Program, the first of its kind in the northeast, which helped weed out invasive Scotch broom plants in Harriman State Park by nearly 60% 
• Advance progress on the Long Path, a 358-mile long-distance trail connecting New York City to the Adirondacks that’s nearly 100 years in the making  

We’re proud to maintain our region’s cherished public trail lands. Safeguarding the outdoor spaces we all hold dear is more important than ever, yet the effort it takes to do so continues to expand. To sustain the safety, success, and effectiveness of the Trail Conference team, and meet rising operational costs, we’re implementing a membership update in 2025, our first adjustment in nearly a decade. 

This change strengthens the long-term resilience of our nonprofit and the passionate community that drives our mission. It also presents an opportunity to enhance the membership experience, introducing new benefits such as exclusive speaker series, special trail map offerings, premium gifts, and unique VIP events for our high-level supporters. 

Below is a breakdown of our membership dues for 2025, along with the previously established rates.   

• Supporter: $50/year or $4.17/month 
  • Previously $40/year for a single membership, $50/year for a joint membership   
• Sponsor: $95/year or $7.92/month  
  • Previously $75/year for a single membership, $90/year for a joint membership 
• Benefactor: $200/year or $16.67/month  
  • Previously $150/year for a single membership, $200/year for a joint membership 
• Trail Leader: $350/year or $29.17/month  
  • Previously $300/year   

All members, regardless of the level they select, will now enjoy joint membership benefits at no additional cost. This means that two individuals in your household will have full access to member perks as you support the lands you love!  

To further improve our membership experience, the Trail Conference is pleased to offer a new automatic monthly membership payment option, allowing our members to support the Trail Conference in easy monthly installments.  

The new membership rates begin on April 1, 2025, and will go into effect on a rolling basis based on when your membership is up for renewal. For example, if your membership is set to renew on June 1, 2025, the new rate will go into effect on June 1. 

We’ll notify all our members well in advance via email and physical mailers to ensure a smooth transition. 

We’re thrilled you asked! Members enjoy a range of benefits based on the level they select: 

Supporter Membership ($50/yr):  

• 25% discount on Trail Conference books and maps 
• 10% discount on Trail Conference merch 
• Exclusive discounts at over 20 retail partners, restaurants, and outdoor organizations throughout New York and New Jersey, including: 
  • Campmor in Paramus, New Jersey 
  • Ramsey Outdoor in Ramsey and Succasunna, New Jersey 
  • Rock & Snow in New Paltz, New York 
  • Camp Catskill in Tannersville, New York 
  • Seven Lakes Station Taproom in Sloatsburg, New York 
  • Mountain Skills Climbing Guides 
  • TrailBound Project 
  • And more! View all our member partners here 
• A free subscription to Trail Walker magazine, the Trail Conference’s biannual print magazine 
• Priority access to Trail Conference webinars and speaker series 
• Special Trail Conference swag as a thank you for your support 

Sponsor Membership ($95/yr):  

• All the Supporter-level benefits listed above 
• Plus, your choice of a New York-New Jersey Trail Conference map set 

Benefactor Membership ($200/yr):  

• All Sponsor-level benefits 
• An official Trail Conference mug  
• Plus, priority access to exclusive Executive Director Trail Conference hikes  

Trail Leader Membership ($350/yr):  

• All Benefactor-level benefits  
• A premium Trail Conference gift 
• Invitations to exclusive appreciation events with Trail Conference leadership  
• Special recognition in Trail Walker magazine 

That’s fantastic—thank you! Every gift you provide, whether it’s volunteering your time on the trails or offering financial support, directly helps us in our mission. What sets the membership program apart from other forms of giving is its dependability.  

As operational costs increase, extreme weather becomes more frequent, and state and federal funding grows increasingly unpredictable, your annual membership ensures we can continue the vital work we do without interruption.  

By becoming a sustaining member today, you not only give back to the trail lands you love, you provide the Trail Conference with a rock-solid backing that allows us to dream big, plan ahead, and triumph over whatever challenges come down the path.  

We value your feedback and are here to answer any questions you may have. Please contact us at [email protected] to get the discussion going!