What is the National Recreation Trails Program?

The National Trail System Act of 1968 (Public Law 90-543) authorized creation of a national trail system comprised of National Recreation Trails, National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails. While National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails may only be designated by an act of Congress, National Recreation Trails may be designated by the Secretary of Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to recognize exemplary trails of local and regional significance in response to an application from the trail's managing agency or organization. Through designation, these trails are recognized as part of America's national system of trails.

The National Recreation Trails Program supports designated NRT's with an array of benefits, including promotion, technical assistance, networking and access to funding. Its goal is to promote the use and care of existing trails and stimulate the development of new trails to create a national network of trails and realize the vision of "Trails for All Americans." The first-ever NRT Photo Contest was sponsored in 2003 by American Trails and is continuing each year. See winners and entries for 2003 - 2004 - 2006 - 2007 - 2008. A Request for Proposals for art projects on National Recreation Trails was also undertaken.

The NRT NEWS publication for NRT managers and interested public is published twice a year with resources and articles. Copies are available as pdf files and articles are also posted as regular Web pages (html).

New NRTs designated each year

The 2008 NRT Designations were announced by the Secratary of Interior prior to National Trails Day in June 2008. Trails on USDA land (including National Forests) follow a separate designation process. New trails were designated in 2008, and four trails on National Forests and Grasslands were designated in 2003. See the annual designations of additional National Recreation Trails in: 2009 - 2008 - 2007 - 2006 - 2005 - 2004 - 2003 - 2002 - 2001.

National Recreation Trails

National Recreation Trails (NRT) provide for numerous outdoor recreation activities in a variety of urban, rural, and remote areas. Over 1,000 trails in all 50 states, available for public use and ranging from less than a mile to 485 miles in length, have been designated as NRTs on federal, state, municipal, and privately owned lands. American Trails is working with the National Park Service, the USDA Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service on the National Recreation Trails Program. Trails may be nominated for NRT designation each year.

A searchable database of NRTs is available online. Information is still being added, but enables visitors to obtain detailed information about a particular NRT, search for particular trail types, or get a list of all the NRTs in any state. See how to update your trail information, or simply send any corrections and additions by e-mail to NRT@americantrails.org.

Details of featured NRTs in different states are on line at the NRT State-by-state page and the searchable NRT database. American Trails also makes individual web pages for featured NRTs where information and photos are available (contact nrt@americantrails.org for details).

The Artful Ways national survey sought practical information about art on trails, how it is funded, how artists are selected, and the impact of art on the trail and community. Survey findings will be shared on the American Trails website in the Art & Trails area.

Revitalizing the National Recreation Trails program

For several years several trail groups and agencies have worked together to redesign and revitalize the National Recreation Trails Program. Plans for the new effort to designate National Recreation Trails was announced at the National Trails Symposium in Redding, California, September 22, 2000. Unveiling of the new NRT Program took place in 2001, starting with the announcement of newly designated trails on National Trails Day in June.

• Update on National Recreation Trails program: Re-launch of program, fall 2000
• NRT Revitalization Workgroup policy meeting: Nov. 18, 1999
• Proposal for revitalizing the designation program for NRTs

Download application for NRT designation in Word format
See how to apply for National Recreation Trail designation

The National Recreation Trails Program:

Home Page
About
Trails by State
Photos
Applications
Benefits
News
Contacts

More resources:

Training
Bibliography
Quotations
Glossary
Acronyms
Tools
Products & services

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.