America’s National Trails System is more than 88,600 miles long and consists of 11 National Scenic Trails, 19 National Historic Trails, 1,300 National Recreation Trails, and seven side and connecting trails. The Pacific Crest Trail and the Appalachian Trail were our nation’s first National Scenic Trails.
Our National Scenic and Historic Trails total more than 60,600 miles and link 70 wildlife refuges, 80 National Parks, 90 Bureau of Land Management areas, 90 National Forests, 123 Wilderness Areas, and 100 major metropolitan areas. More than 230 million people live within 60 miles of a National Trail.
The National Trails System Act of 1968, as amended (PDF), calls for establishing trails in both urban and rural settings for people of all ages, interests, skills, and physical abilities. The act promotes the enjoyment and appreciation of trails while encouraging greater public access. President Lyndon Johnson signed the National Trails System Act on Oct. 2, 1968, establishing National Scenic Trails and National Recreation Trails. Listen to his speech. In 1978, President Carter signed into law a bill that created National Historic Trails.
Organizations such as the PCTA work collaboratively through the Partnership for the National Trails System (PNTS) to advocate for trails. Today, the Partnership has 34 member and 8 affiliate nonprofit organizations and works in close collaboration with the five federal agency partners who have jurisdiction over the trails. Please visit the official National Park Service National Trails System website for more.
Maps of the National Trails System
Here are some maps that show our National Trails:
- Full-sized PDF of the 50th anniversary National Trails System Map.
- Interactive map of the National Trails System
- Story map of the National Trails System
National Scenic Trails
There are 11 National Scenic Trails, totaling 24,600 miles, within the National Trails System. They are long-distance trails (more than 100 miles long) and are recreational in nature. Just as wonderful for a short day visit as a long-distance backpacking adventure, these trails call to all who want to explore America’s natural landscapes.
National Scenic Trails provide for outdoor recreation and “for the conservation and enjoyment of the nationally significant scenic, historic, natural, or cultural qualities of the areas through which such trails may pass.” National Scenic Trails are land-based (not water trails) and their creation requires an Act of Congress.
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail
- Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
- Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
- North Country National Scenic Trail
- Ice Age National Scenic Trail
- Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
- Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
- Florida National Scenic Trail
- Arizona National Scenic Trail
- New England National Scenic Trail
- Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail
National Historic Trails
There are 19 National Historic Trails, totaling 36,000 miles. National Historic Trails recognize original trails or routes of travel of national historic significance including past routes of exploration, migration and military action. They follow historic trails or routes of travel as closely as possible.
Unlike National Scenic Trails, they may include water-based routes. National Historic Trails can only be designated and authorized by an Act of Congress.
- Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
- California National Historic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
- El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail
- El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail
- Iditarod National Historic Trail
- Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
- Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail
- Old Spanish National Historic Trail
- Oregon National Historic Trail
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
- Pony Express National Historic Trail
- Santa Fe National Historic Trail
- Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail
- Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
- Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
- Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
National Recreation Trails
National Recreation Trails provide opportunities for outdoor recreation primarily in and around urban areas and have no minimum length requirement. These trails, totaling more than 28,000 miles, may be designated by either the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture rather than by an Act of Congress.
National Water Trails System
The National Water Trails System, a subset of the National Recreation Trails system, is a national network of exemplary and protected recreational water trails.
Rail-trails and side and connecting trails
A 1983 amendment to the National Trails System Act allowed out-of-service rail corridors to be preserved for future rail use by converting them to trails. There are more than 23,000 miles of completed rail-trails and 8,000 miles of projects in progress. Over 2,100 rail-trails exist in 50 states. While the National Trails System act provides the authority for rail-banking, rail-trails are not always a part of the National Trails System.
Side and connecting trails provide additional access to and between components of the National Trails System. To date, seven have been designated.
It’s our great hope that you use, appreciate and support our National Trails.