The National Trails Guide highlights America’s Congressionally-established National Trails. Most people know of the Appalachian Trail and the Pacific Crest Trail — yet there are 28 other National Trails spanning over 50,000 miles of the country.
America’s Best Idea — Again
Writer Wallace Stegner called national parks the “best idea we ever had. Absolutely American, absolutely democratic, they reflect us at our best.”
Like national parks, National Trails are living symbols of what we do well. As these remarkable pathways move across the country, they serve as reminders to honor and celebrate our cultural and natural heritage. Here are three prime examples:
- Continental Divide National Scenic Trail - Begins at the border of Canada at Glacier National Park and traverses 3,200 miles south along majestic mountain passes, all the way to Mexico
- Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail - Originates at an ancient buffalo path near the Mississippi River and travels along historic Indian villages, one of the most epic scenic drives in America
- Oregon National Historic Trail - Follows the wagon ruts of thousands of settlers who left from the Missouri River to emigrate west, some of the tracks still visible
Today we visit national trails and find ourselves transported through time. These trails honor the struggles and achievements that make up the American experience. They are among the nation’s best kept secrets. The National Trail Guide shows you how to start…
Experiencing the National Trails
Why not escape the daily routine, get outside and start exploring? There are three types of national trails:
- National Scenic Trails — long-distance routes like the Appalachian Trail, beyond a typical day hike… These are journeys into the American wilderness — distant from the outposts of civilization. Even one hour on trails like this can transform your perspective…
- National Historic Trails — mostly accessible by motor vehicle, i.e. Lewis and Clark Trail, which passes through the West’s great national parks and monuments, providing a front row seat to the lives and adventures of early explorers and indigenous peoples…
- The National Trails Guide provides options for local “staycations” — so even if you don’t have time to visit a longer route, National Recreation Trails are great destinations near every American. There are hundreds of these routes, places of great beauty.
Enjoy the National Trails — hidden worlds of history and nature that will inspire a sense of wonder… Whatever your interests may be — hiking, biking, climbing, camping, scenic drives, kayaking, horseback riding — this guide will help you to begin.