National Trails System

The National Trails System was created by the National Trails System Act (Pub.L. 90-543, 82 Stat. 919, enacted October 2, 1968, codified at 16 U.S.C.
1241 et seq. The Act created a series of National trails "to promote the preservation of, public access to, travel within, and enjoyment and appreciation of the open-air, outdoor areas and historic resources of the Nation." Specifically, the Act authorized three types of trails: the National Scenic Trails, National Recreation Trails and connecting-and-side trails. The 1968 Act also created two national scenic trails: the Appalachian and the Pacific Crest; and requested that an additional fourteen trail routes be studied for possible inclusion.