Celebrate our 50th Anniversary all year in 2026!

Seventeen Anniversary events throughout the country!

Special 50th Anniversary Commemorative Passport Book for those who attend all 17 featured events, or who can attend 8 of them. See info here.

View List of Events

January 9-11 – Boulder City, NV (Pacific Region)
– Chairman’s Anniversary Celebration

Carl Cordes, Chair of the AVA Board, has planned a three-day kickoff celebration in Boulder City, NV, 25 miles south of Las Vegas, and home of Hoover Dam. Sponsored by the Las Vegas High Rollers and Strollers, there will be a mix of self-guided and group walks, as well as two socials. Walks include the Historic Railroad Tunnels Trail in the Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Bootleg Canyon, and Veterans Memorial Park. A fajita group dinner will be Friday night. Saturday evening, the city is sponsoring the Best Dam Wine Walk through historic Boulder City, which counts as a 5K (and we get a discounted price of only $15). Pre-register and more information here. Special hotel rate of $120 per night with breakfast at the Best Western Hoover Dam Hotel. Get information on all the walks, socials, and pre-registration form here.

February 20-22 – San Antonio, TX (Southwest Region)
– Texas Trail Roundup IML

The annual IML Texas Trail Roundup returns in 2026 to San Antonio, TX, one of only two IML events in the United States. Friday will be the 50th Anniversary Walk in Fredericksburg, TX where the first volkswalk took place in 1976. The walk will take you through this beautiful hill-country town of German heritage, with many shops and restaurants. Buses will take you back and forth for this milestone event. Saturday the IML kicks off in San Antonio with 42K and 21K events, along with 12K and 5K events. Sunday choose walks of 21K, 10K and 5K. Registration opens soon: texastrailroundup.org. Get a special hotel rate of $125 at the Springhill Suites by Marriott Downtown/Riverwalk

March 19-23 – Williamsburg, VA (Atlantic Region) – Atlantic Regional Conference

The Virginia Volkssport Association is sponsoring the 2026 Atlantic Regional Conference in Williamsburg, VA to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route. A pre-walk will be in Fredericksburg on March 19th. Other walks will take place in Colonial Williamsburg, the Civil War Redoubts, and the New Town section of Williamsburg, along with Jamestown, the original English settlement, and Yorktown, the site of the surrender of the British forces to the Americans and French. Two bike routes will be available, one in Williamsburg and one in Yorktown. There is also a swim available at the hotel all three days. Details are being planned now. A special hotel rate is available at the Best Western Historic District, 351 York St. in Williamsburg, for $130 per night Friday and Saturday, $94 for Thursday and Sunday. Hotel link available soon.

April 17-19 - North Central Region
– Council Bluffs, Iowa and Omaha, Nebraska

Join the Nebraska Trailblazers for Miles of Memories Across the Mighty Missouri Friday, April 17th – Group walk on Council Bluffs First Avenue Trail at 5 p.m. on Friday evening to help celebrate Rails to Trails 40th anniversary. First Avenue Trail is part of the Great American Rail Trail that spans 3,700 miles between Washington, D.C., and Washington State and traverses through Council Bluffs! This portion of the trail is lined with trees, native prairie plantings and a series of murals.

Saturday, April 18th – Traditional event starting from 9-11 a.m, finish by 1 p.m. at Rivers Edge Pavilion, walking the newly opened Tree Top Trail, the Bob Kerrey Bridge, an award-winning pedestrian bridge connecting Iowa and Nebraska, and the beautiful downtown Omaha RiverFront Parks. Lunch will be available at the Rivers Edge Pavilion. This walk is sponsored by Council Bluffs Convention and Visitor’s Bureau.

Saturday, April 18th afternoon museum tours in Council Bluffs-Tour the Squirrel Cage Jail, a rare three-story rotary jail designed for maximum security with minimal staff. Now a museum, it offers a glimpse into a unique chapter of penal history and is known for its intriguing architecture and reported hauntings. After visiting the Squirrel Cage Jail, walk next door to the Union Pacific Railroad Museum. Housed in a historic Carnegie Library you can explore 150 years of our nation’s westward expansion history.

Sunday, April 19th – Group walk at 10 a.m. in Nebraska City, walking the trails through Arbor Lodge State Historical, a beautiful 72 acre arboretum and home to the estate which was the original home of J. Sterling Morton of Morton Salt fame, the founder of Arbor Day. The walk will include a visit to Arbor Day Farm, the Lied Lodge and traverse tree-lined streets in the historical downtown.

For more information, visit our website at nebraskatrailblazers.com.

May 16-20 – Northeast Region – Lake George, NY

Empire State Capital Volkssporters invites you to “Walk the Story that Changed the World: A Multiday Event on Revolutionary War Battle Sites” from May 16-20. The first walk in historic Johnstown, NY on Saturday, May 16 includes a parade and an historic reenactment. Sunday, May 17 offers up to 3 options, Crown Point, with a scavenger hunt, Ft. Ticonderoga and Ticonderoga Village, home of Trekonderoga, the Star Trek Museum and Ticonderoga pencils. Monday takes us to Schuylerville, the surrender site for the Battle of Saratoga, the Turning Point of the Revolution. On Tuesday walk Lake George Village, showcasing the strategic waterways for military movement and operations during the Revolution. Wednesday, ESCV’s regularly scheduled Wednesday walk series, is in Round Lake, a former 19th century Methodist Camp, now listed on the National Historic Register. Two bike rides are offered, one from Lake George on a rails to trails path, the other through Saratoga National Historic Park and Gerald B. Solomon National Cemetery. The host hotel is the Quality Inn Lake George, 57 Canada St, Lake George, NY, 518-685-6055. Please call the hotel directly for special rates, and press #2 for the front desk. You can ask for Janice or ask for the Empire State Capital Volkssporters rate. Includes continental breakfast. King bed or 2 queen beds, double occupancy, including breakfast is $125.96, Sun-Wed, $159 on weekends. Social events include a Meet and Greet and dinner. Details to follow.

June 6-7, 2026 – Black Hills, SD (North Central Region) – Crazy Horse

Join the Black Hills Volkssport Association for the 40th Annual Crazy Horse Memorial Volksmarch at the world’s largest mountain carving in progress. This is a delightful hike to the top of the mountain to walk on the arm of the Crazy Horse Memorial. Bring 3 cans of food, and only pay $4 fee to walk to the top. Sunday June 7, there is another event planned with a group walk in the Black Hills, along with socials and more. Info to come.

June 19-21, 2026 Mid America Regional Conference - Indiana and Illinois

Enjoy walks in Terre Haute IN, Charleston IL, and Casey IL. Four walks, lunch and social. More info to come

July 28 – Colorado Springs, CO (Rocky Mountain Region) – Garden of the Gods

The Falcon Wanderers in Colorado Springs will highlight one of the most beautiful
areas in the state – Garden of the Gods. It sits beneath Pike’s Peak, and within its environment, there are grasslands, stunning red sandstone formations, and mountain forest. It is a Natural National Landmark and free to the public. More walks planned, too. Details to come.

August 28-29 – Boston, MA (Northeast Region) – New England/Canada Pre-Cruise Walks

Plans are being created for a cruise from Boston (more info later), but in the meantime, the Walk ‘N Mass Volkssport Club is working with Rob McDaniel for two walks in the Boston area. More info to come.

September 7, 2026 – Mackinaw City, MI (Mid-America Region) – Mackinac Bridge Walk

The walk across Mackinac Bridge is a huge opportunity to promote America’s Walking Club in 2026. We will help the Mid-America RD with all aspects of the event. This is the only day a year when the Mackinac Bridge is closed to traffic until noon so pedestrians can walk across and enjoy the views of the Straits of Mackinac. The total walk across the entire bridge and back is 20k but people can choose to walk as far as they want, then turn around. More details to follow

September 24-27 – Astoria, OR (Northwest Region) – NW Regional Conference

The Oregon Trails State Volkssport Association is planning their Regional Conference for the Northwest in Astoria, OR. The event is called Walking in the Footsteps of Lewis and Clark, and will feature daily walks, meet and greet and a dinner. Located at the mouth of the Columbia River at the Pacific Ocean, Astoria is Oregon’s oldest city, and the first permanent U.S. settlement west of the Rockies. More information to follow on the walks and socials.

October 16-18 – Arlington, VA (Atlantic Region) – IML Freedom Walk Festival

2026 is the 25th FreedomWalk Festival in Arlington, VA and Washington D. C. This will be a great year to enjoy these events through America’s history in Washington D.C. celebrating our 25th, AVA 50th and America 250th. Arlington will be bustling with excitement on Saturday after the walk with live music and an International dinner that evening. 3 days with different trails each day offering 5K, 10K, 1/2 & Full Marathon along with bike, swim, and so much more! Save the Date for this special IM/ AVA event. We will be offering a special challenge for those who with experience all the US FreedomWalk has to offer! Be sure to check our website starting after November 1 for 2026 updates. www.USFreedomWalk.org

Oct 28 – Nov 1 – Route 66 Walks in Kansas, Missouri and Oklahoma (South Central Region)

Route 66, the most famous highway in the U.S., celebrates 100 years in 2026. The Sunflower Sod Stompers and other South Central clubs will host 5 days of walks celebrating AVA’s 50th, and Rte. 66 100th birthdays. The events are a collection of walks called “Hoofin’ It On Halloween Along Route 66”. More details to follow.

November 6-8 (tentative dates) – Florida (Southeast Region) – 35th Annual Walk Across Florida

The Suncoast Sandpipers, Mid-Florida Milers, and the Happy Wanderers will celebrate their 35th Walk Across Florida. Soon they will be scouting the best locations, hotels and venues for walks and socials. More details to follow.

November 14 – Dayton, OH (Mid-America Region) – OWF Honors Veterans

The Ohio Wander Freunde will celebrate Veteran’s Day with a special event in Dayton. Save the date. More details to follow.

December – Helen, GA (Southeast Region) – Christmas Lights Spectacular

Hosted by the Alpine Helen Volksmarch Club, the Weihnachten Lights Spectacular is the first annual “Bavarian Style” walk through an extensive array of Christmas lights, decorations, and an old fashioned Christmas market, all in the Appalachian Mountains. An “A Award” pin will be available, plus discount coupons to restaurants and attractions. Special prize drawings will take place after the walk. More information here.

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