list of national scenic trails
List of National Scenic Trails
Hiking is one of America's favorite recreational activities. Buzzle draws up a list of all the National Scenic Trails across the U.S. Take your pick...
Did You Know?
The Appalachian Trail's international extension stretches in the north to Canada, and enters the Atlantic Ocean at its last point!
The National Trails System (NTS), established in 1968, under the National Trails System Act, has designated a series of trails for the purpose of:
- Preservation of certain areas.
- Conservation of national heritage.
- Mark out areas for recreational and outdoor activities.
- Facilitate public enjoyment of open-air areas and natural scenery.
Length of Trail
2,184 miles
Designated
1968
Trailheads
Mount Katahdin, Maine ➜ Springer Mountain, Georgia
States Covered
Georgia, North Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Maine.
Permitted Activities
Hiking, Back-packing and recreational activities. Rock-climbing, mountain-climbing, mountain-biking can be done, although it is not endorsed in all states. Skiing and snowshoeing, during winters (especially in the trail's New England sections).
Length of Trail
817 miles
Designated
2009
Trailheads
Coronado National Memorial, Arizona ➜ Kaibab Plateau, Arizona-Utah border
States Covered
Arizona
Permitted Activities
Hiking, Horse-riding, Mountain-biking.
Length of Trail
3,100 miles
Designated
1978
Trailheads
Crazy Cook Monument, New Mexico ➜ Glacier National Park, Montana
States Covered
Montana, Idaho, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Permitted Activities
Hiking. Horse-riding and mountain-biking in select areas. Skiing is possible during the winter season in the state of Montana. Montana's Glacier National Park is a haven for skiers.
Length of Trail
1,400 miles
Designated
1983
Trailheads
Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida ➜ Pensacola Beach, Florida
States Covered
Florida
Permitted Activities
Hiking.
Length of Trail
600 miles
Designated
1980
Trailheads
Potawatomi State Park, Wisconsin ➜ St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin
States Covered
Wisconsin
Permitted Activities
Hiking, Snowshoeing.
Length of Trail
450 miles
Designated
1983
Trailheads
No fixed trailheads. Follows the Natchez Trace Parkway for a large part. Has multiple sections and each section has its own trail-branches.
States Covered
Mississippi, Tennessee.
Permitted Activities
Hiking, Horse-riding.
Length of Trail
220 miles
Designated
2009
Trailheads
The trailheads depend on where a hiker is entering from. The New England trail is made up of three different trails - Metacomet-Monadnock Trail, Mattabesett Trail and, Metacomet Trail.
States Covered
Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire.
Permitted Activities
Hiking, Snowshoeing.
Length of Trail
4,600 miles
Designated
1980
Trailheads
Crown Point, New York ➜ Lake Sakakawea State Park, North Dakota
States Covered
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, Minnesota, and North Dakota.
Permitted Activities
Hiking - throughout the year. Cycling and horse-riding activities allowed in select areas. Cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and related activities in select areas during winter.
Length of Trail
2,663 miles
Designated
1968
Trailheads
Campo, California ➜ Manning Park, British Columbia
States Covered
California, Oregon, Washington (USA) and British Columbia (Canada).
Permitted Activities
Hiking, Horse-riding, Back-country skiing.
Length of Trail
1,200 miles
Designated
2009
Trailheads
Glacier National Park, Montana ➜ Cape Alava, Washington
States Covered
Montana, Idaho, Washington.
Permitted Activities
Hiking, Snowshoeing, Mountain-biking, Skiing, Horse-riding.
Length of Trail
830 miles
Designated
1983
Trailheads
No fixed trailheads. The route is made up of multiple trails, and each of the trails have branching sub-trails at various points.
States Covered
Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania, District of Columbia.
Permitted Activities
Hiking, Cycling.
The National Scenic Trails are a sight of ravishing beauty and awe. Hiking is the most popular activity along these trails, but hikers need to take care that none of their recreational activities take place in bargain of the destruction of the trails' allure.