Famous American Trails

It really is all about trails this month, so we thought we’d also bring to you some of the most famous trails in the United States. All of these trails are easily accessible to Thousand Trails and Encore campgrounds and no matter your skill level, there is always a new trail to discover.

Have you visited or plan to visit any of these famous trails? Tell us your story in the comments!

Pacific Crest Trail

It just so happens that this past winter had much lower snow levels than previous years, which means that the famous, PCT may attract more visitors this year than ever before. The Pacific Crest Trail seems to be more famous than ever with the release of the popular motion picture, Wild, based on Cheryl Strayed’s memoir. Hiking the PCT requires a lot of planning and a lot of time – this 1,100 mile trail has got almost every terrain you can think of and can be done by hikers of almost any skill level, depending upon where it is you hike. If you’re looking to hone in on one particular part of the PCT, do not miss the John Muir Trail where you will see some of the finest mountain scenery in the entire United States. This 211 mile long trail winds you through the Sierra Nevada and takes you into some of the best of America’s park system including Yosemite, John Muir and Ansel Adams Wildernesses, Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks. If you had only one chance to do a trail on your bucket list, this would be it. Also read the trail journals of other hikers who’ve taken this journey. We guarantee you’ll be inspired to keep a trail journal of your own.

Appalachian Trail

The Appalachian Trail is 2,000 miles of pure lush scenery. This trail runs from Maine to Georgia and is maintained by 31 trail clubs and multiple partnerships, managed by the National Park service and the nonprofit, Appalachian Trail Conservancy. Along with the PCT, the Appalachian Trail was designated one of the first national scenic trails by The National Trails System Act of 1968. This trail is home to thousands of species of plants and animals and there are constant efforts to help maintain and protect the trails precious wildlife. Like most trails mentioned here, the Appalachian Trail has many parts that can range from easy to strenuous and there are famous trail towns along the way. Some of the most well-known trail towns along the Appalachian Trail include Hot Springs, North Carolina; Harpers Ferry, West Virginia; Port Clinton, Pennsylvania; Monson, Maine; Erwin Tennessee; and Damascus, Virginia. The Appalachian Trail was designed for hiking only, so if you’re heading out on this one, leave your bike and your horse at home.

American Discovery Trail

Stretching over 6,800 miles and across 15 states, the American Discovery Trail is the only non-motorized recreational trail that links the east and west coasts. Hiking, biking, and horseback riding are all encouraged on this trail. Passing through 14 national parks and 16 national forests, this is one of the most visited trails in the US. If you were to complete the entire trail, you would also have the opportunity to visit more than 10,000 sites of historical, cultural, and natural significance. The American Discovery Trail can be totally completed on foot (yes, you can walk all 6,800 miles!) but only a few brave hikers have actually done this magnificent feat. You can easily hop on the American Discovery Trail from the following TT & Encore campgrounds: Hillcrest Village RV Resort, Golden Terrace South RV, Indian Lakes RV Campground, Wilmington RV Resort, and Horseshoe Lakes RV Campground.

See you on the trails!