Reference materials are organized by topic, below. We are adding content on a regular basis.
ADVOCACYAGENCYMAP/GISMANAGEMENTOUTREACH/PLANNINGPROTECTIONVOLUNTEERMAINTENANCEPNTS POLICIES
Trail Advocacy:
Registration Now Open Virtual Hike the Hill® 2021- March 8-26, 2021
We hope you will join us March 8-26, 2021 for Virtual Hike the Hill 2021®! Now in its 24th year, Hike the Hill® is a joint effort between the American Hiking Society and the Partnership for the National Trails System to bring together the trails…
Save the Date! 2021 Virtual Hike the Hill
We hope you will join us March 8-26, 2021 for Virtual Hike the Hill 2021®! Registration and tentative schedule will be available in the second week of January. Now in its 24th year, Hike the Hill® is a joint effort between the American Hiking Society and the Partnership for the…
Partnership for the National Trails System Partial Government Shutdown Impact Report – February 2019
Impacts of the partial government shutdown (December 22, 2018 – January 25, 2019) on the national trails, compiled by the Partnership for the National Trails System in February 2019 after surveys to our nonprofit trail partners. Partnership for the National Trails System Partial Government Shutdown…
Partnership for the National Trails System “State of the Trails Report” 2018
Partnership for the National Trails System “State of the Trails Report” 2018. This report shows the collaborative impact of the nonprofit trail organizations and Federal agency partners, using the 50th anniversary of the National Trails System Act as a benchmark. Partnership for the National Trails…
Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2018
Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2018. A compilation of volunteer hours and financial contributions to national scenic and national historic trails in 2018. Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2018
Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2017
Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2017. A compilation of volunteer hours and financial contributions to national scenic and national historic trails in 2017. Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2017
National Trails System and Land and Water Conservation Fund FY 2018 Request
2017. A compilation of critical protection needs and land transactions for national scenic and national historic trails National Trails System and Land and Water Conservation Fund FY 2018 Request. National Trails System and Land and Water Conservation Fund FY 2018 Request
National Trails System and Land and Water Conservation Fund FY 2017 Request
2016. A compilation of critical protection needs and land transactions for national scenic and national historic trails National Trails System and Land and Water Conservation Fund FY 2017 Request. National Trails System and Land and Water Conservation Fund FY 2017 Request
Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2016
Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2016. A compilation of volunteer hours and financial contributions to national scenic and national historic trails in 2016. Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2016
Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2015
A compilation of volunteer hours and financial contributions to national scenic and national historic trails in 2015. Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2015 Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2015
Partnership for the National Trails System Land and Water Conservation Fund Statement
A Battle to Save the LWCF For 50 years, until Congress let it expire on September 30th, the Land & Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) has allowed for the purchase of critical lands for conservation and the development of parks, trails, and other outdoor recreation facilities…
Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2014
2015. A compilation of volunteer hours and financial contributions to national scenic and national historic trails in 2014. Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2014
National Trails System and Land and Water Conservation Fund FY 2016 Request
2015. A compilation of critical protection needs and land transactions for national scenic and national historic trails National Trails System and Land and Water Conservation Fund FY 2016 Request
National Trails System and Land and Water Conservation Fund FY 2015 Request
2014. A compilation of critical protection needs and land transactions for national scenic and national historic trails. National Trails System and Land and Water Conservation Fund FY 2015 Request
Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2013
2014. A compilation of volunteer hours and financial contributions to national scenic and national historic trails in 2013. Partnership for the National Trails System “Gold Sheet” of Volunteer Contributions in 2013
Pacific Crest Trail Association Federal Fiscal Year 2015 Appropriations Request
2014. A well-designed case statement for federal funding for federal land acquisition to protect the Pacific Crest Trail. Pacific Crest Trail Association Federal Fiscal Year 2015 Appropriations Request
Agency Partner Guides, Directives and Reports:
National Trails System Act
The National Trails System Act (P.L. 90-543, as amended through P.L. 111-11, March 30, 2009)
FHWA Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks Resource
Compiled from the FHWA website The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) published Small Town and Rural Multimodal Networks, a resource for transportation practitioners in small towns and rural communities. It applies existing national design guidelines in a rural setting and highlights small town and rural case…
Management of National Scenic and Historic Trails
6280 – Management of National Scenic and Historic Trails and Trails Under Study or Recommended as Suitable for Congressional Designation. This release transmits one of three manuals in the National Trails System manual series (BLM Manuals 8353, 6250, and 6280). This manual provides the line…
National Scenic and Historic Trails
This document describes the NSHT program’s major policy elements and legislative requirements. Administrators and partners should use this information to guide their development of NSHT programs and identify priorities.
Director’s Order #45
This Director’s Order outlines National Park Service (NPS) policies and procedures for national scenic and historic trails to ensure that congressionally designated trails are recognized and operated on a consistent basis to ensure protection of the characteristics and values of the trail and their use…
Trail Management Areas
8353 – Trail Management Areas – Secretarially Designated National Recreation, Water, and Connecting and Side Trails. This release transmits one of three manuals in the National Trails System manual series (BLM Manuals 8353, 6250, and 6260/6270). This manual addresses secretarially designated National Recreation Trails (Including…
National Scenic and Historic Trail Administration
6250 – National Scenic and Historic Trail Administration This release transmits the second of three manuals in the National Trails System manual series (BLM Manuals 8353, 6250, and 6260/6270). This manual addresses specific functions delegated to the BLM from the Secretary of the Interior pursuant…
National Trails System Annual Report for FY 2013
2013. Federal Interagency Council on Trails: A report on the annual progress made in protecting, developing, and managing national scenic and national historic trails.
Connect Trails to Parks: A Three Year Program Report
2011. A report on selected projects under the Connect Trails to Parks (CTTP) program.
The National Trails System Memorandum of Understanding 06-SU-111324240196
2006. A memorandum of understanding among the primary land-managing agencies for administration and management of national scenic and national historic trails.
National Trails System Act Legislative Documents
1999. Index of hearings, committee reports, bills, and other related legislative documents related to the National Trails System Act.
Trail Mapping and gis:
Federal Trail GIS Schema – Public Review Announcement
For the past two years there has been a multi-agency effort to develop a nation-wide Federal Trail GIS Schema database template. The template is finally (!) ready for a public review. The Federal Trail GIS Schema template can be utilized by all trails, including long distance National…
Nez Perce Trail Foundation Virtual Tour Map
An interactive map for visitors and managers of a national historic trail.
Continental Divide Trail Mapping Project
2014. A PowerPoint presentation on the development of a GIS Mapping Project for a National Scenic Trail.
North Country Trail Interactive Map
An interactive map of the North Country Trail, from New York to North Dakota.
Arizona Trail Interactive Map
An interactive map of the Arizona Trail, from the Mexico border to the Utah border.
Trail Management:
National Trails System Act Legislative Documents
This index of documents includes the hearings, committee reports, bills, and other related materials pertaining to the National Trails System Act of 1968 (P. L. 90-543) and its subsequent amendments, through P. L. 111-11 (March 30, 2009). The documents are listed in order…
Florida National Scenic Trail Visitor Assessment
The University of Florida’s School of Forest Resources and Conservation (SFRC) began a collaborative visitor assessment project for the Florida National Scenic Trail (FNST) with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Florida Trail Association (FTA) in June of 2003. The purpose of the study…
Ice Age Trail Alliance Joint Effort Marketing Report 2012
The goals and objectives of this Joint Effort Marketing Year 1 Destination grant were to determine the economic impact of Ice Age Trail users and volunteers to the State’s economy on an annual basis; determine the estimated number of users enjoying the Trail annually; and…
Appalachian Trail Conservancy Visitor Count Survey 2011
This report was prepared for the U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service in partial fulfillment of Interagency Acquisition Agreement R2490050022 between the National Park Service, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, and the U.S. Forest Service, Southern Research Station.
Federal Agency Visual Resource Documents
Visit the Bureau of Land Management Federal Agency Visual Resource Documents page (http://blmwyomingvisual.anl.gov/documents/).
Tool Box (National Historic Trails Socorro Workshop)
This Tool Box is prepared by Steve Burns of the National Park Service-National Trails System Intermountain Region. In one file, the tool box holds details about the National Trails System Act and a substantial set of practical resources for historic trails leaders on topics including:…
National Scenic and Historic Trails Administration (All Agencies)
A list of the agencies who administer and manage the national scenic and historic trails.
National Scenic and Historic Trail Administration
6250 – National Scenic and Historic Trail Administration This release transmits the second of three manuals in the National Trails System manual series (BLM Manuals 8353, 6250, and 6260/6270). This manual addresses specific functions delegated to the BLM from the Secretary of the Interior pursuant…
List of National Scenic and National Historic Trail Organizations
Complete listing of National Scenic and National Historic Trail organizations. See About Us.
Community Outreach:
My Public Lands Middle School Teaching Guide
My Public Lands Middle School Teaching Guide – Developed by the Bureau of Land Management
Virtual Trail: Online Adventures on the Oregon Trail
An online virtual trail experience that takes the visitor along the route of the Oregon and California Trail pioneers.
Trail Planning:
Tool Box (National Historic Trails Socorro Workshop)
This Tool Box is prepared by Steve Burns of the National Park Service-National Trails System Intermountain Region. In one file, the tool box holds details about the National Trails System Act and a substantial set of practical resources for historic trails leaders on topics including:…
Arizona Trail Association Strategic Plan
2011-2016. A seven-page condensed strategic plan for development and management of the Arizona National Scenic Trail.
Trail Protection:
Tool Box (National Historic Trails Socorro Workshop)
This Tool Box is prepared by Steve Burns of the National Park Service-National Trails System Intermountain Region. In one file, the tool box holds details about the National Trails System Act and a substantial set of practical resources for historic trails leaders on topics including:…
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail Optimal Location Review Process Guidelines
2012. USDA Forest Service and the Pacific Crest Trail Association. Standardized analytical process for review, decision-making and documentation of relocations to protect the optimal location for a national scenic trail.
Volunteer Recruitment and Development:
Chapter Leadership Handbook
2012. North Country Trail Association. A comprehensive guide to developing a volunteer-based structure for managing a national scenic trail.
Maintenance:
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail Management Plan
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail Management Plan This Comprehensive Management Plan represents the overall management strategy for an approximate fi fteen year period for the Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail. This document summarizes the selected alternative from the Abbreviated Final Comprehensive Management Plan/ Environmental Impact…
Planning a Trailhead Kiosk – 2012
Planning a Trailhead Kiosk 2012 — A Revision to Planning a Trailhead Bulletin Board (1998)
Continental Divide NST – Trailhead Design Guidelines
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail – Trailhead Design Guidelines
USDA – Trail Construction and Maintenance Notebook — 2007 Edition
USDA – Trail Construction and Maintenance Notebook — 2007 Edition
NPS – Inspection Guidance: 2200 Trail Bridges
National Park Service – Inspection Guidance: 2200 Trail Bridges
North Country NST – A Handbook for Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance
North Country National Scenic Trail – A Handbook for Trail Design, Construction, and Maintenance
Continental Divide NST – Interpretive Plan
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Interpretive Plan
USDA Chain Saw and Crosscut Saw Training Course Handbook
USDA Chain Saw and Crosscut Saw Training Course —Students Guidebook 2006 Edition
Backcountry Sanitation Manual
This document was created by the Appalachian Trail Conservancy, Green Mountain Club, USDA Forest Service, and National Park Service to address sanitation in the backcountry.
OCTA Trail Classifications – Met Methodology
Oregon-California Trail Association Trail Classifications – Met Methodology
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Trailhead Design Guides
2005. USDA Forest Service. A primer in the design of Trailhead facilities, including access road construction, parking signage, landscaping, and other aspects of Trailhead design.
PNTS POLICIES:
- PNTS Statement of Inclusion (Approved February 8, 2020)
- Policy on New National Scenic and National Historic Trail Proposals (Approved December 4, 2019)
- Policy on Gas, Electric, and Other Linear Transmission Facilities (Approved November 2, 2013)
- Policy on Energy Generation and Communication Facilities (Adopted October 22, 2014)
- Policy on Appropriate Uses of National Scenic and Historic Trails (Approved February 8, 2015)