Trail Skills Institute
Build your skills.
Protect our trails.
Want to learn how to monitor, maintain, and build trails more effectively? Whether you’re new to trail work or a seasoned steward, the Arizona Trail Association’s Trail Skills Institute (TSI) offers hands-on trainings to expand your skills and confidence.
What is the Trail Skills Institute?
In partnership with Raven Trails, TSI equips volunteers with practical skills to care for trails. Led by professional builders with decades of field experience, these outdoor, hands-on trainings cover everything from hydrology and rock work to trail design and restoration.
2025 Training Schedule
Locations are based on project needs and may change.
- July 12–13 – Modules 1 & 2: Monitoring & Maintenance (Flagstaff Region)
- August 2–3 – Module 4: Trail Design & Layout (Blue Ridge)
- August 16–17 – CANCELED Module 6: Obliteration & Restoration
- September 6–7 – CANCELED Module 3: Rock Work (Flagstaff Region)
Training Modules
Module 1: Trail Assessment (1 day)
- Reading the landscape
- Identifying and documenting trail issues
Module 2: Trail Maintenance (1 day)
- Clearing corridor
- Repairing tread, slough, berm
- Drainage solutions & trail hardening
Modules 1 & 2 are offered together as a 2-day series.
Module 3: Trail Structures
- Dry stone masonry
- Steps, walls, rock armoring
- Drainage structures & technical features
Module 4: Trail Design & Layout
- Design factors & objectives
- Control points & corridor identification
- Flagging & construction prescriptions
Module 5: Trail Construction
- Corridor clearing
- Tread, backslope, switchbacks
- Retaining structures, drainage & finishing
Module 6: Obliteration & Restoration
- Closing and restoring trails
- Reestablishing hydrology
- Seeding, organic cover & sight line closure
Other integrated topics include: event planning, tool care, leadership, volunteer engagement, and user experience.
Online Learning
Can’t attend in person or want to learn more before joining a course? Explore our Online Trail Skills Institute to learn the basics at your own pace.
Registration & Cost
- $150 – General Registration
- $85 – ATA Stewards (discounted rate for current Arizona Trail Stewards)
Includes: professional instruction, four meals, hands-on learning, and plenty of fun.
If the registration cost is a barrier, scholarships may be available. Contact volunteer@aztrail.org for details.
➡️ Select your registration type and course date in the form below. You’ll be redirected to PayPal to complete payment.
If a session is full, email volunteer@aztrail.org to join the waitlist.
