USA National Trails System List


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The National Trail System was created in 1968 "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." The trails include scenic drives, long-distance hikes, and even boating routes. The system consists of:
11 National Scenic Trails
21 National Historic Trails
7 National Connecting & Side Trails
1 National Geologic Trail
1000+ National Recreation Trails*

Trail Name Designation
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
Anvik Connector Connecting/Side Trail
Appalachian National Scenic Trail
Arizona National Scenic Trail
Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail
California National Historic Trail
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
Chester River Component Connecting/Side Trail
Chilkoot National Historic Trail
Continental Divide National Scenic Trail
El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail
Florida National Scenic Trail
Ice Age National Scenic Trail
Ice Age Floods National Geologic Trail
Iditarod National Historic Trail
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
Marion to Selma Connecting/Side Trail
Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail
New England National Scenic Trail
Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail
North Country National Scenic Trail
Old Spanish National Historic Trail
Oregon National Historic Trail
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail
Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail
Pony Express National Historic Trail
Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail
Santa Fe National Historic Trail
Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
Susquehanna River Component Connecting/Side Trail
Timms Hill Trail Connecting/Side Trail
Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
Upper James River Component Connecting/Side Trail
Upper Nanticoke River Component Connecting/Side Trail
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail

*Due to scale the 1000+ National Recreation Trails, which are shorter in length, and are not included in this list or on our map.