Trail offers residents a wide range of retail stores and services including major grocery stores, banks and credit unions, independent and chain clothing stores, a department store, pharmacies, hardware stores, cafes and restaurants, a movie theatre, a library and postal services.

The community enjoys a local transit system, a large downtown core and a 34-store indoor mall. High speed Internet service is available here.

Places of workship in the Trail area serve the Baha'i, Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Baptist, Presbyterian, Adventist, Anglican, Catholic, United, Alliance, Pentecostal, and Jehovah's Witness faiths.

There are three elementary schools, a middle school and a high school in Trail as well as some daycare services for small children. The local campus of  Selkirk College  offers university transfer, vocational and career development courses.