Anza Recreational Retracement Trail

A map of the San Jose area in Northern California shows the existing Anza Trail recreation segments (thin red lines) in relation to the historic corridor (thick orange lines).

NPS

Become Part of the Anza Recreational Retracement Trail

The National Park Service (NPS) seeks to designate a continuous non-motorized recreational retracement trail from Nogales, Arizona to the San Francisco Bay Area. This trail will complement the Anza Exhibition’s 1,200-mile historic route. NPS will reach this goal through trail certification. Designating pre-existing and new trails as official components of the Anza Trail will create a continuous recreation experience for visitors.

The Anza recreational retracement trail is a tangible experience of place for people. It offers the opportunity for visitors to immerse themselves in the environment and relate to the story and legacy of the expedition.

 

What is trail certification?

Trail Certification is a partnership that helps non-federal landowners protect and preserve their historic trail properties and share them with others. The process of certification is a collaborative effort between the property owner and the National Park Service. The National Park Service does not own or manage segments of the Anza Trail that fall outside of National Park boundaries. The owner/manager retains all legal rights to the property, and nothing in the certification agreement is to be construed as granting any legal authority to the National Park Service over the property or any action by the owner/manager.

Why certify your site?

The National Park Service offers many benefits to its certification partners: 

Join a network of diverse partners!  

The Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail forms valued partnerships with public agencies, non-profit organizations, and landowners to develop a unified, continuous trail and promote public awareness. By becoming a partner, you join a community that exchanges knowledge, resources, ideas, and approaches. 

Technical Assistance 

National Park Service experts in history, archeology, interpretation, exhibit design, landscape architecture, and many other fields can show you how to research and share the story of your certified property. 

Protection and Site Development Guidance 

As the nation’s leading conservation agency, the National Park Service can advise you on protecting your site, preserving its historic qualities, and managing visitor use. We can also help with site planning and design and aid in producing interpretive story panels for your certified site. 

Project Funding and Assistance 

The National Park Service can provide federal funds for eligible projects through its Challenge Cost Share Program, which can match up to 50% of project costs. We can also help you find funding from other sources. 

Recognition 

The National Park Service can provide official National Historic Trail signs and logos for display at certified sites. Visitors recognize those signs and logos, and through them know right away that a site is historically important. 

Who can certify?

Eligibility Requirements

1. The property must be non-federally owned and managed.  
2. Nominated trail segments must have an easement that is perpetual. 
3. The property must have direct and significant historical and/or thematic associations with the Anza Trail and be in the vicinity of the historic corridor. Use our interactive map to determine if recreational trail exists in your community and your proximity to the historic corridor. 
4. The property must be made available to some degree for public use, interpretation, and appreciation.  
5. Nominated recreation trail segments must be non-motorized, multi-use trails. 
6. The property must meet accessibility requirements mandated by federal law, where applicable. 
7. The person or organization requesting certification must be the legal owner of the property, have the legal owner’s authorization to pursue certification, or be the owner’s designated manager of the property.  
8. Nominated site and associated information must correctly refer to the “Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail” or the “Anza Trail.” 

Ready to start?

Steps to Certification 

1. Contact trail staff. Interested property owners/managers should e-mail us. Questions regarding certification interest will be provided at that point. 

2. Confirm eligibility. Next, interested property owners will be provided the Certification Eligibility Form for completion. This form will be used by trail staff to check eligibility and will inform the certification process. The NPS has criteria that must be met for certification, which can be found above. Return the completed form. 

3. Evaluate significance. After receiving the Certification Eligibility Form, trail staff will review the nomination and coordinate with property owners/managers to conduct a site visit (if needed). Trail staff will first identify any remaining barriers to certification. Next, they will identify any planning, management, and public use opportunities for a trail segment or site. Finally, trail staff will discuss any restrictions the property owner/manager may wish to place on the visitor. 

4. Sign partnership certification agreement. The standard agreement, called a memorandum of understanding (MOU),  is a mutual understanding between the NPS and the property owner/manager that is set forth in a written document to which both parties are participants. An MOU is flexible and can be adapted to each unique trail segment. The property owner/manager sets reasonable conditions, such as visiting times and where visitors can go on the property. Terms of the agreement are based on the mutual agreement of both partners to work towards achieving the highest level of resource protection and visitor appreciation of trail resources. The agreement is non-binding and may be cancelled by either party at any time with written notice. An MOU does not obligate funds. It is comparable to non-federal cooperative agreements that may be negotiated between other parties. 

5. Receive site protection and planning. Post-certification actions may include technical assistance, site and interpretive planning, design and development, project compliance, or other projects. 

6. Notify the public. The property owner/manager and NPS may participate in signing ceremonies, press events, and other notifications. The NPS will distinguish certified sites and segments on the NPS.gov online map.  

 

Left image shows a horseback rider and right image shows a bicyclist, both on different sections of the Anza Trail in Fort Ord, NM

NPS/Bhoj Rai