National Scenic Trail

Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
In The Footsteps Of History
The Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail follows the general route of the 444-mile Old Natchez Trace that ran from Natchez, Mississippi, through the corner of Alabama to Nashville, Tennessee. Only 65 miles of that distance is hiking trail today. Designated a National Scenic Trail in 1983, the trail is actually four separate trails running roughly parallel to and within the boundaries of the Natchez Trace Parkway. While it does not offer a backcountry experience, the trail leads to outstanding ...

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
A Trail Along Our Nation's Backbone
With a dream begun in the early 1960s, forces were set in motion to create a trail along the Continental Divide. It would provide access to our country's grandest scenic beauty for those who desire challenging recreation. It was designated a National Scenic Trail in 1978, with a 50-mile corridor on each side of the Continental Divide within which the final route would be located. The trail is not a continuously marked trail; rather, it is a worn footpath in some places and a cross-country tre...

Florida National Scenic Trail
A Diverse National Scenic Trail
The Florida Trail is a footpath leading 1,100 miles from Big Cypress National Preserve between Miami and Naples to Gulf Island National Seashore near Pensacola. Along the way, it passes a wide variety of plant life, from tropical plants to those more common on mountainsides; some habitats are found nowhere else in the country. The corridor was designated Florida National Scenic Trail in 1983, although the designation applies just to the federally certified sections. Administered by USDA Fores...

Ice Age National Scenic Trail
A Trail of Geological Significance
Some of the best examples of the effects of North America's last glaciation is highlighted along the Ice Age National Scenic Trail. The only trail in Wisconsin to be designated a State Scenic Trail, it snakes 1200 miles across the state, following the terminal edge of the extinct glacier. Along the way, it passes through forests, prairies, wetlands, and farms as it connects Wisconsin's communities. The west end of the Ice Age National Scenic Trail is on the St. Croix River in Interstate Stat...

America's National Hiking Trails
National Hiking Trails Are America's Longest Parks
The National Trails System Act of 1968 created the National Trails System to provide places for outdoor recreation as well as to preserve outdoor spaces and historic resources. They are administered by the National Park Service, USDA Forest Service, or the Bureau of Land Management, depending on their location. There are three classes of trails, each with its own set of criteria: National Recreation Trail - existing local or regional trails recognized by the Secretary of Agriculture or the Se...

Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
A Trail Through Our Nation's History
Designated a National Scenic Trail corridor in 1983, the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail will connect Chesapeake Bay to the Laurel Highlands in Pennsylvania. It will run through Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, connecting various existing trails and historic sites into one 800-mile trail. Photo by TrailVoice via flickr.com