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NRTs designated in: 2011 | 2010
| 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006
| 2005 | 2004 | 2003 | 2002 | 2001
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Featured National Recreation Trails
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NRT designation news

THE NATIONAL RECREATION TRAILS (NRT) program works to preserve and celebrate our nation's pathways. We invite you to explore America’s great national system of trails and greenways.

See the year by year Annual NRT Designations page

Search over 1,000 National Recreation Trails in the online database

See the state-by-state index of Featured National Recreation Trails

2008 National Recreation Trail designations

On June 4, 2008, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne designated 24 trails in 16 states as National Recreation Trails. Each year nominations for designation of new National Recreation Trails may be submitted. The NRT Program recognizes trails that provide opportunities for all Americans to enjoy the out-of-doors and improve the quality of life of our communities.

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, 2008.

The following trails were designated as National Recreation Trails for 2008:

photo of canoeing under trees

along the Apalachicola River Paddling Trail System in Florida

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

photo of trail in trees

Dismal Swamp Canal Trail in North Carolina

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

National Recreation Trail designations announced by US Dept. of Interior

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 the 40th anniversary of the National Trails System, Secretary of the Interior Dirk Kempthorne designated the 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.

For more about the new designations and details of many featured trails, please visit:
www.AmericanTrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails.

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.