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New National Recreation Trail designations for 2008

Secretary of the Interior announced 24 new National Recreation Trails on June 4, 2008.
The Ozark Trail on Missouri's Mark Twain National Forest was also designated as a NRT by the US Department of Agriculture.

See more information on Water Trails designated as National Recreation Trails.

From the National Park Service
U.S. Department of the Interior

Did you know there’s a place not too far away that can improve your health, reduce stress, and enthrall children? The country’s 200,000 miles of trails are ideal places for exercise and exploration. Every trail, regardless of length or location, is filled with opportunities for mental, physical, and spiritual growth.

In honor of National Trails Day and the 40th anniversary of the National Trails System, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne yesterday designated 24 trails in 16 states as National Recreation Trails. “One of my priorities at Interior is to reconnect American families to nature,” said Secretary Kempthorne. “The National Trails System, including these additions, provides an excellent link to the outdoors, particularly for children. National Recreation Trails exemplify partnerships and are providing a path to fitness and stewardship for Americans of all ages.”

National Recreation Trails are components of the National Trails System and recognize already existing trails that connect people to resources and improve their quality of life. The program is jointly administered by the National Park Service Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program and the U.S. Forest Service in conjunction with other federal and nonprofit partners, notably American Trails. Each of the trails added to the system will receive a certificate of designation and trail markers. They become part of a network of more than 1,000 trails encompassing more than 12,000 miles.

In addition to the trails designated by the Secretary of the Interior, the Ozark Trail in southeastern Missouri was designated by the Secretary of Agriculture. The Ozark Trail was also added to the National Recreation Trails System with the signature of Eastern Region Deputy Regional Forester Forest L. Starkey on May 28.

Following are the 25 newly designated National Recreation Trails.

Alabama
Alabama Scenic River Trail – Water trail

Arizona
Black Canyon Trail – Backcountry multi-use trail system

Florida
Apalachicola River Paddling Trail System –Water trail

Illinois
Rend Lake Bike Trail – Paved trail system

Indiana
Burdette Park/University of Southern Indiana Pedestrian, Bicycle, and Nature Trail – Community trail

Iowa
Great Western Trail – Urban and rural rail trail

Mines of Spain State Recreation Area Trails System – Interpretive and recreation trails

Summerset Trail – Rail trail

Michigan
Musketawa Trail – Paved rail trail and greenway

Missouri
Ozark Trail – Long-distance trail on the Mark Twain National Forest

Nebraska
Funk Peterson Wildlife Trail – Wildlife refuge trail

New Mexico
Canyon Trail –Wildlife refuge trail

Chupadera Wilderness Trail –Wildlife refuge trail

North Carolina
Dismal Swamp Canal Trail – Historic multi-use trail

Little Tennessee River Greenway – Greenway system

North Dakota
Arrowwood National Wildlife Refuge Leg of the Historic Fort Totten Trail –Wildlife refuge trail

Scout’s Trail – Multi-use park trail

Sullys Hill Nature Trail –Wildlife refuge trail

Ohio
Congressman Ralph Regula Towpath Trail – Historic Ohio & Erie Canalway trail

Pennsylvania
Heritage Rail Trail County Park – Rail trail

Susquehanna River Water Trail – Water trail

South Carolina
Congaree River Blue Trail – Water trail

Texas
Heritage Trail Loop – Rail trail

Lions Park Nature Trail – Community trail

West Virginia
Canaan Valley Institute Trail System – Multi-use trail system

The National Recreation Trail Program recognizes trails that provide opportunities for all Americans to enjoy the out-of-doors and improve the quality of life of our communities. Each year nominations for designation of new National Recreation Trails may be submitted. The National Park Service and USDA Forest Service jointly administer the NRT program with help from other federal and nonprofit partners, notably American Trails, which hosts the National Recreation Trails website.

The Rivers, Trails, and Conservation Assistance Program and the USDA Forest Service administer the program in conjunction with a other federal and nonprofit partners, notably American Trails, which hosts the National Recreation Trails website. RTCA is a community resource of the National Park Service which provide technical assistance to community groups and local, state, and federal government agencies to help conserve rivers, preserve open space, and develop trails and greenways.

Each year nominations for designation of new National Recreation Trails may be submitted. Details of the program may be found on the NRT website hosted by American Trails: (www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails). The National Recreation Trail Program recognizes trails that provide opportunities for all Americans to enjoy the out-of-doors and improve the quality of life of our communities.

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The Bureau of Land Management is a supporter and partner in the National Trails Training Partnership: working to make training more available. The BLM Trail Management Process course is a comprehensive model for trails education.