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Reflecting on 55 years of the National Trails System Act: A Journey Through the Establishment of National Scenic and Historic Trails

Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Butterfield Overland National Historic Trail, California National Historic Trail, Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail, more »

October 2, 1968, marks a momentous occasion in the history of the National Trails System. On this significant day, President Lydon B. Johnson signed the National Trails System Act (NTSA) into law, establishing three distinct types of trails: national scenic trails, national recreation trails, and connecting-and-side-trails. Building upon this significant milestone, a fourth category, national historic trails, was later added to the NTSA in 1978.

In celebration of the 55th anniversary of the NTSA, below is a timeline of establishment for all the national scenic and historic trails.