Sort: Date Posted Title

posted Aug 13, 2020

Appalachian National Scenic Trail Foundation Document

by National Park Service

The core components of this foundation document include a brief description of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, the nature and purposes of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail, significance statements, fundamental resources and values, and interpretive themes. These components are core because they typically do not change over time. Core components are expected to be used in future planning and management efforts.


posted Aug 19, 2020

Continental Divide National Scenic Trail Interpretive Plan

The Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (CDNST) Interpretive Plan guides the development and implementation of information, orientation and interpretation for the CDNST. Specifically, this plan includes interpretive goals, objectives, themes, exhibit recommendations, and design guidelines for interpretive efforts associated with the trail.


posted Aug 18, 2020

Effects of Pack Weight on Endurance of Long-distance Hikers

This study evaluated pack weight to understand the limits of long-term load carriage. Participants were Appalachian Trail hikers who attempted to complete the entire trail in the 2012 season.


posted Aug 13, 2020

El Camino Real National Scenic Trail Study

by U.S. Department of the Interior

This study has been prepared and trail recommendations made to meet the requirements of Public Law 90-543. The 1969 El Camino Real Feasibility Study concluded that sufficient documentation of historic, scenic, natural, and cultural significance did exist to warrant further study. This study will present recommendations based on an evaluation of the field study findings.


posted Aug 2, 2018

FAQ: The difference between a National Historic, Scenic and Recreation Trail

by American Trails Staff

The difference is usually ones of scale, significance, and administration responsibility and how they are designated.


posted Aug 18, 2020

Hiking Trails in America Pathways to Prosperity

by American Hiking Society

Fifty years ago President Johnson set in motion the establishment of a national system of trails for America. Since LBJ’s famous speech outlining his vision, America has accomplished much . . .


posted Jul 10, 2020

History of the National Trails System

The National Trails System is the network of scenic, historic, and recreation trails created by the Act in 1968.


posted Jul 15, 2022

Improving the Sustainability of the Appalachian Trail

by U.S. Geological Survey

The Appalachian National Scenic Trail (A.T.) is a unique internationally recognized protected natural area encompassing more than 250,000 acres and a 2,190-mile footpath from Maine to Georgia.


posted Aug 19, 2020

Interpretive Plan for the Huron River National Water Trail

by Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Parks and Recreation Division

The purpose of this plan is to help communities and stakeholders incorporate heritage on the lower reach of the nationally designated Huron River Water Trail (HRWT), from Flat Rock to Lake Erie, which will create a more meaningful trail experience and a greater sense of place.


posted Aug 18, 2020

Investigating the Thru-hiker Experience: A Study on the Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail

The phenomena of thru-hiking has been on a dramatic rise, spurring hikers to venture onto increasingly remote and challenging trails over extended periods of time. Despite the recent popularity of thru-hiking, the field remains relatively unstudied. In recreation, the expectations held beforehand have been linked to perceptions after an activity, but this has not been explored in thru-hiking.


posted Aug 19, 2020

Making the Trail Visible and Visitor Ready: A Plan for the James River Segment

by National Park Service

The Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail joined the National Trails System following designation by Congress in 2006. The trail helps visitors experience, envision, understand, and protect what the explorers and inhabitants of the region encountered 400 years ago.


posted Aug 17, 2020

National Scenic and Historic Trail Administration

by Bureau of Land Management

This manual provides the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) policy and program guidance on administering congressionally designated National Trails as assigned by the Department of the Interior within the National Landscape Conservation System (NLCS) and this manual describes the BLM’s roles, responsibilities, agency interrelationships, and policy requirements for National Trail Administrators