America’s National Trails System consists of the 30 national scenic and historic trails, more than 1,000 recognized regional and local recreational trails, and several side or connecting trails.
32 National Scenic and Historic Trails (National Trails) are congressionally designated corridors that contain significant recreational, scenic, historic, natural and cultural elements. These 30 trails — stretching for a hundred or thousands of miles each and more than 55,000 miles in total — connect with 70 wildlife refuges, 80 National Parks, 90 Bureau of Land Management areas, 90 National Forests, 123 Wilderness Areas, and 100 major metropolitan areas.
These National Scenic and Historic trails traverse wilderness, rural, suburban and urban areas in 50 states connecting with every distinct ecological area or biome in the US. They protect crucial conservation areas and provide wildlife migration corridors, as well as education, recreation, & fitness for people of all ages.
Set up as collaborative projects by the National Trails System Act of 1968, hundreds of nonprofit organizations, assisted by a variety of state and federal agencies, support the National Trails System and offer recreational and heritage identity to thousands of communities nationwide.
Stewards of the National Scenic and Historic Trails
The Partnership for the National Trails System brings together the non-profit stewards of the National Scenic and Historic Trails, as well as the 5 Federal agency partners who have jurisdiction over the trails. Since 2001, the Partnership has embodied the collaboration of the National Trails System Act and has advocated for these trails. Today, the Partnership has 34 member and 8 affiliate organizations.
What is a ‘national trail?’
National trails are officially established under the authorities of the National Trails System Act (16 USC 1241-51).
There are several types:
National scenic trails are 100 miles or longer, continuous, primarily non-motorized routes of outstanding recreation opportunity. Such trails are established by Act of Congress.
Number of trails (2023): 11
National historic trails commemorate historic (and prehistoric) routes of travel that are of significance to the entire Nation. They must meet all three criteria listed in Section 5(b)(11) of the National Trails System Act. Such trails are established by Act of Congress. Learn more.
Number of trails (2023): 21
National historic trails interactive map
National recreation trails, also authorized in the National Trails System Act, are existing regional and local trails recognized by either the Secretary of Agriculture or the Secretary of the Interior upon application.
Number of trails (2014): 1000+
Source: National Park Service
Learn more about National Trails System Administration
America’s National Trail System today
The National Trails System as envisioned, includes 30 trails — stretching for a hundred or thousands of miles each and more than 55,000 miles in total — connect with 70 wildlife refuges, 80 National Parks, 90 Bureau of Land Management areas, 90 National Forests, 123 Wilderness Areas, and 100 major metropolitan areas. The reality is there is till a lot of work to be done to complete the trails and ensure they stay intact.
The partners, members and affiliates of the Partnership for the National Trails System are working hard to complete the National Trails. A primary role is to protect and preserve the continuous corridor of the trails and the outstanding natural, cultural or historic features that have led to each trail’s designation as a “National Scenic or Historic Trail”. Losing these features will reduce the quality of the visitor experience and inspiring nature of National Trails.
Threats to the National Trail System
Current Threats to the National Trails System [pics]
- Gaps: As we work to complete your National Scenic Trails, existing gaps in the physical trail and right of way pose one of the greatest threats. With time, gaps result in the abandonment of trail sections, negating years of effort & public & private investment. Gaps make it difficult to achieve the goal of a continuous corridor that provides exceptional recreation experiences and exposure to grand natural features.
- Disruption of historic settings: National Historic Trails traverse historic paths and rely on preserved settings to convey their story. Disruption of these settings before trails can be completed and, or protected may erase the critical visible markers for you to follow. Energy development, mining & logging, housing & commercial development, & other changes to the landscape can destroy irreplaceable historic & cultural resources.
Other threats to National Scenic and Historic Trails:
- Denial/loss of public access
- Visual intrusion
- Residential & commercial development
- Loss of Threatened and Endangered species & habitat
- Destruction of cultural and heritage resources
- Agricultural conversion
- Contamination
- Mining, logging, & other extracting
- Energy development
Decade for Trails
The Decade for the national Trails System bridges the 40th Anniversary of the National Trails System Act in 2008 to the 50th Anniversary in 2018. For more, go to the Decade for Trails page.
