News From The Trail
  • Home
  • About us
  • Thousand Trails
  • RVontheGo
  • Archives

Celebrate the Big 50 with the National Trails System

June 4, 2018 by thousandtrails
National Trails System - Find Your Trail

National Trails System – Find Your Trail

Happy Birthday to the National Trails System Act, which celebrates 50 years in 2018!

In 1968, the National Trails System Act was created “In order to provide for the ever-increasing outdoor recreation needs of an expanding population and in order 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.”

At the time of its creation, the act included just two trails: the Appalachian Scenic Trail and the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail. Since 1968, the act has been amended and more trails have been included. Additionally, trails now fall into one of four categories – National Scenic Trails, National Historic Trails, National Recreation Trails and Connecting and Side Trails. In all, nearly 60,000 miles of trail combine to showcase the beauty and history of our great country.

One of the original trails, the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, which totals 2,181 miles, extends from Maine to Georgia. It is open year-round and accessible from many locations. In one shot, it would take 5-7 months to make the entire trek from one end to the other. The highest point is Clingman’s Dome, in North Carolina, which is 6,644 feet above sea level. For an interactive map of the 14 states in which the trail runs through, visit appalachiantrail.org.

The second original trail, the Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail runs 2,650 miles through Washington, Oregon, and California. Highlights of this trail include the Sonora Pass, the Bridge of the Gods and Crater Lake National Park. Again, you can tackle the true adventure and make the trek all at once or enjoy it at a more leisurely pace as the trail is divided into 29 manageable lengths. For more information, visit pcta.org.

When you think of Florida you think of sun and sand, but Florida also has the Florida National Scenic Trail that traverses the Sunshine State from the Panhandle south to Big Cypress National Preserve. This trail has the distinction of being one of only three that are contained within one state. The trail is about 1,000 miles long and is conveniently divided into geographic regions to make exploring the trail easier. The regions include Southern, Central, Northern, and Panhandle. Check out floridahikes.com for some hiking ideas to take in this trail.

A newcomer to the list, the Arizona National Scenic Trail, was designated a national scenic trail in 2009. Running 800 miles from north to south, stretching from the Utah border to the Mexican border, this trail is divided into 43 passages taking you through the mountains, canyons, valleys and desert terrains of Arizona. Check out the Arizona Trail Day Hiker’s Guide, available through the aztrail.org website, to chart your course across this scenic trail.

Other trails include the New England National Scenic Trail, a 215-mile trail from Connecticut to the Maine/New Hampshire border (newenglandtrail.org), the Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail that will take you through parts of Alabama, Mississippi, and Tennessee (nps.gov/natt) and the Potomac National Scenic Trail that combines land and waterway exploration opportunities in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. For information, visit nps.gov/pohe.

For more information on the trails, visit trails50.org.

Book your stay with Thousand Trails today while you check out the National Scenic Trails this summer!

Posted in: Activities Tagged: Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Big Cypress National Preserve, National Trails System Act

Archives

  • May 2020 (5)
  • April 2020 (6)
  • February 2020 (8)
  • January 2020 (4)
  • December 2019 (4)
  • November 2019 (3)
  • October 2019 (5)
  • September 2019 (4)
  • August 2019 (4)
  • July 2019 (5)
  • June 2019 (2)
  • May 2019 (4)
  • April 2019 (10)
  • February 2019 (4)
  • January 2019 (5)
  • December 2018 (5)
  • November 2018 (6)
  • October 2018 (6)
  • September 2018 (6)
  • August 2018 (6)
  • July 2018 (6)
  • June 2018 (5)
  • May 2018 (6)
  • April 2018 (5)
  • March 2018 (6)
  • February 2018 (5)
  • December 2017 (4)
  • November 2017 (6)
  • September 2017 (6)
  • August 2017 (6)
  • July 2017 (6)
  • June 2017 (6)
  • May 2017 (6)
  • April 2017 (6)
  • March 2017 (6)
  • February 2017 (5)
  • January 2017 (6)
  • December 2016 (5)
  • November 2016 (5)
  • October 2016 (6)
  • September 2016 (6)
  • July 2016 (5)
  • June 2016 (5)
  • May 2016 (5)
  • April 2016 (5)
  • February 2016 (5)
  • January 2016 (5)
  • December 2015 (5)
  • November 2015 (5)
  • October 2015 (5)
  • September 2015 (5)
  • August 2015 (5)
  • June 2015 (9)
  • May 2015 (3)
  • April 2015 (5)
  • March 2015 (1)
  • February 2015 (3)
  • December 2014 (2)
  • November 2014 (9)
  • October 2014 (2)
  • September 2014 (5)
  • August 2014 (13)
  • July 2014 (11)
  • June 2014 (10)
  • May 2014 (7)
  • April 2014 (8)
  • February 2014 (1)
  • January 2014 (7)
  • December 2013 (8)
  • November 2013 (7)
  • October 2013 (8)
  • September 2013 (17)
  • August 2013 (7)
  • July 2013 (15)
  • June 2013 (7)
  • May 2013 (9)
  • April 2013 (9)
  • March 2013 (8)
  • February 2013 (13)
  • January 2013 (14)
  • December 2012 (11)
  • November 2012 (11)
  • October 2012 (11)
  • September 2012 (11)
  • August 2012 (10)
  • July 2012 (11)
  • June 2012 (6)
  • May 2012 (6)
  • April 2012 (5)
  • February 2012 (13)
  • January 2012 (8)
  • December 2011 (6)
  • November 2011 (5)

Copyright © 2021 News From The Trail.

Composer WordPress Theme by themehall.com