National Trails System


The National Trails System was created by the National Trails System Act, codified at et seq.
The Act created a series of National trails "to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the Nation." Specifically, the Act authorized three types of trails: the National Scenic Trails, National Recreation Trails and [|connecting and side trails]. The 1968 Act also created two national scenic trails: the Appalachian and the Pacific Crest; and requested that an additional fourteen trail routes be studied for possible inclusion.
In 1978, as a result of the study of trails that were most significant for their historic associations, a fourth category of trail was added: the National Historic Trails. Since 1968, over forty trail routes have been studied for inclusion in the system. Of these studied trails, twenty-one have been established as part of the system. Today, the National Trails System consists of 30 National Scenic and Historic Trails and over 1,000 National Recreation Trail and two connecting and side trails, with a total length of more than. These National Trails are more than just for hiking, many are also open for horseback riding, mountain biking, camping and/or scenic driving.
As Congressionally established long-distance trails, each one is administered by a federal agency, either the Bureau of Land Management, United States Forest Service, or National Park Service. Two of the trails are jointly administered by the BLM and the NPS. Occasionally, these agencies acquire lands to protect key sites, resources and viewsheds. More often than not, they work in partnership with the states, local units of government, land trusts and private landowners, to protect lands and structures along these trails, enabling them to be accessible to the public. National Recreation Trails and connecting and side trails do not require Congressional action, but are recognized by actions of the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture. All of the National Trails are supported by private non-profit organizations that work with the various federal agencies under the Partnership for the National Trails System.
The Act is codified as. However, it has been amended numerous times since its passage, most recently on October 18, 2004.

National Scenic Trails

National Scenic Trails were established to provide outdoor recreation opportunities and to conserve portions of the natural landscape with significant scenic, historic, natural, or cultural importance. Most notably, the National Scenic Trail system provides access to the crest of the Appalachian Mountains in the east via the Appalachian Trail, to the Rocky Mountains of the west on the Continental Divide Trail, and to the Cascade and Sierra Nevada ranges on the Pacific Crest Trail. Other places of note include the southern wetlands and Gulf Coast on the Florida Trail, the North Woods on the North Country Trail, and the wide variety of southwestern mountain ranges and ecosystems on the Arizona National Scenic Trail. Of the eleven national scenic trails, Appalachian, Natchez Trace, and Potomac Heritage are official units of the NPS.
Trail nameYear establishedLength authorized
North Country National Scenic Trail19804,600
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail19783,100
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail19682,650
Appalachian National Scenic Trail19682,181
Florida National Scenic Trail19831,300
Ice Age National Scenic Trail19801,200
Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail20091,200
Arizona National Scenic Trail2009807
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail1983700
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail1983695
New England National Scenic Trail2009220
Total:18,734-

National Historic Trails

National Historic Trails are designated to protect the remains of significant overland or water routes to reflect the history of the nation. They represent the earliest travels across the continent on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail; the nation's struggle for independence on the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail; epic migrations on the Mormon & Oregon Trails and the development of continental commerce on the Santa Fe Trail. They also commemorate the forced displacement and hardships of the Native Americans, on the Trail of Tears. There are 19 Historic Trails. Most of them are scenic routes instead of non-motorized trails.
National Historic Trails were authorized under the National Parks and Recreation Act of 1978, amending the National Trails System Act of 1968
Trail nameYear establishedLength authorized
Oregon National Historic Trail1978
Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail1978
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail1978
Iditarod National Historic Trail1978
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail1980
Nez Perce National Historic Trail1986
Santa Fe National Historic Trail1987
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail1987
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail1990
California Trail1992
Pony Express National Historic Trail1992
Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail1996
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail2000
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail2000
Old Spanish National Historic Trail2002
El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail2004
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail2006
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail2008
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail2009
Total:-

National Connecting and Side Trails

The act also established a category of trails known as connecting and side trails. To date, only two national side trails have been designated, both in 1990: The Timms Hill Trail, which connects the Ice Age Trail to Wisconsin's highest point, Timms Hill, and the 86-mile Anvik Connector, which joins the Iditarod Trail to the village of Anvik, Alaska.
The first National Geologic Trail was established by the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009.