Hiking Trails in america Pathways to Prosperity AmericAn Hiking Society | June 2015 Fifty years ago President Johnson set in motion 1965 the establishment of a national system of trails for TO America. Since LBJ’s famous speech outlining his 2015 vision, america Has accomplisHed mucH . Created a Got More Nurtured National Trails Americans Public/Private System Outdoors Partnership The National Trails The number of Americans The national system of System was established, who get out on trails trails encourages citizens doubling the mileage of continues to climb. In 2013, to help maintain trails trails on federal lands and here’s how many Americans and their environs in nearly tripling the mileage enjoyed trails: their communities and on state lands. take “ownership” of the experience on local trails. Trails on Federal lands Hikers 34 million+ 1965 88,000 miles 2015 193,500 miles backpackers 9 million+ 1 million+ Trails on sTaTe lands volunTeer Hours 1965 15,000 miles for trail maintenance and management of the National Scenic 2015 42,500 miles and Historic Trails alone mounTain bikers 8 million+ PArtnershIP fOr the nAtIOnAl OutdOOr Industry AssOcIAtIOn dAtA trAIls system dAtA next steps . buT mucH remains To be done. Close Build More Increase User the Gaps Urban Trails Diversity Congress has authorized While progress has been We must help make more many trails, but most made, much more must be Americans from diverse have yet to be completed. accomplished to provide communities aware of Funding to finish the task sufficient mileage of trails trails, both near and far, must be appropriated in and around urban areas. that are available for and Congress needs For Americans to enjoy public enjoyment. Efforts to ensure that land and benefit from trails, should also be focused on management agencies they must be accessible educational outreach to and their partners have to where they live. This is ensure new trail users feel the resources and tools particularly important for safe and empowered when required to close the youth and others who may making initial visits. existing gaps. not be able to reach a trail because of transportation obstacles. Americans are a people who have always been engaged with and in love with the outdoors. In the mid-19th century, Henry David Thoreau sauntered through the woods surrounding Walden Pond, and in his subsequent writings, provided a thoughtful expression of the natural world and humankind’s place within it. A few years later John Muir became perhaps the most famous hiker/naturalist of the era. He walked 1,000 miles from Indiana to Florida by the “wildest, leafiest, and least trodden way I could find” prior to heading west and falling in love with the natural beauty of Yosemite. These men are characteristic of the American spirit—a people who seek adventure, a connection with nature, and the peace of spirit that being in nature brings. This American spirit lives on in the hearts of Americans of all walks of life to this day. Whether it’s a family out exploring along a nearby wooded trail or a rugged individualist thru-hiking the Pacific Crest Trail, Americans continue to seek places for outdoor recreation, a connection to nature, and healthy exercise. And thanks to visionaries from decades ago there are now, all across America, hiking trails for these hikers and millions more like them to enjoy. buT THese Trails didn’T jusT Happen. Photo by Peter Olsen 2 Trails for America The story of the creation of a na- the Secretary of the Interior work regarding how many Americans tional strategy to create and manage with his colleagues in the Federal used trails each year, it was known trails in modern America begins Government and with State and that the expressed desire for trails with President Lyndon Johnson’s local leaders and recommend to me exceeded existing opportunities. speech on the “Conservation and a cooperative program to encourage In an effort to address this and to Preservation of Natural Beauty” in a national system of trails, building respond to the President’s request February, 1965. In his address to up the more than hundred thou- for suggested improvements, the Congress, the President focused sand miles of trails in our national committee recommended that a Na- attention on many areas affecting forests and parks.” tional Trails System be developed. It the conservation and restoration In response to the President’s was also suggested that the system of natural beauty in America. His request, then Secretary of the have three categories of trails: address focused on clean water, Interior, Stewart Udall, formed a parks in urban areas, the establish- committee led by the Bureau of 1. National Scenic Trails ment of certain national seashore Recreation (then an agency within These were to be long-distance and national recreation areas—and the Department of the Interior) trails with natural, scenic, or of particular note—trails. to study existing trails in the U.S., historic qualities, such as the In his speech, President Johnson how well they served the American Appalachian Trail. These trails stated, “The forgotten outdoorsmen public, and to recommend federal were envisioned as having shelters of today are those who like to walk, legislation that would bring into along their length for use by long hike, ride horseback, or bicycle. For existence a cohesive national trails distance hikers. them we must have trails as well as system. This committee’s work E It was suggested that these trails highways…Old and young alike can resulted in a report entitled, Trails might be owned, constructed, participate. Our doctors recom- for America, which was published in and managed by various federal, mend and encourage such activity December, 1966. state, and local authorities but for fitness and fun.” He continued, In this report, it was acknowl- that each trail be administered “I am requesting, therefore, that edged that while no metrics existed by either the Secretary of the “I am requesting, therefore, that the Secretary of the Interior work with his colleagues in the Federal Government and with State and local leaders and recommend to me a cooperative program to encourage a national system of trails, building up the more than hundred thousand miles of trails in our national forests and parks.” — President Lydon B. Johnson, 1965 speech on the Conservation and Preservation of Natural Beauty EXISTING TRAIL MILEAGE ON FEDERAL LANDS IN 1966 as listed in TRAILS FOR AMERICA, p. 93, 1966 Interior or the Secretary of Ag- right where most people lived—in or StAte or totAl trAil riculture. The report continued, near urban areas. territory mileAge “the entire length of each na- E The Report suggested that the Alabama 2 tional scenic trail, together with federal government could assist Alaska 989 sufficient land area on both sides in the development of Metro- Arizona 5,268 Arkansas 19 to safeguard adequately and politan Trails by using Land california 15,891 preserve its character, should & Water Conservation Fund colorado 11,065 be protected in some form of grants and providing technical connecticut 0 public control.” guidance and assistance in trail delaware 0 florida 98 planning and development. Georgia 54 2. Park and Forest Trails E It was suggested that states hawaii 191 These would be trails on public could encourage the develop- Idaho 10,556 Illinois 80 lands and managed by federal and ment of these trails assisting in Indiana 6 state agencies; the committee acquisition and development Iowa 4 recommended increasing total of lands for trails and enacting Kansas 0 Kentucky 164 mileage from 88,000 miles to legislation, if necessary, to pro- louisiana 1 125,000 miles. tect land owners from liability maine 285 E Park and Forest Trails would claims. maryland 213 massachusetts 19 include those that lead the day michigan 219 visitor to these lands to perhaps minnesota 132 a waterfall or overlook. They tHe nAtionAl trAilS mississippi 20 were envisioned as serving a missouri 59 SyStem Act montana 9,274 broad array of users including The National Trails System Act of nebraska 5 hikers, picnickers, campers, 1968 was the direct result of the nevada 2,086 and sightseers. new hampshire 943 Trails for America report. While dif- E new Jersey 12 In 1966 when the report was fering slightly from the suggestions new mexico 4,065 published the government main- in the Trails for America report, this new york 21 tained almost 88,000 miles of north carolina 1,377 legislation did follow the Report’s north dakota 17 trails on federal lands, includ- original intent. It established three Ohio 19 ing those of the Forest Service different types of trails: National Oklahoma 11 (73,000 miles) and National Oregon 5,179 Scenic Trails, National Recreation Pennsylvania 188 Park Service (9,000 miles). Trails, and Connecting and Side rhode Island 0 E State-managed trails on state Trails. Later in 1978, President south carolina 20 lands at this time totaled Jimmy Carter signed into law a bill south dakota 34 tennessee 639 15,000 miles. that created an additional category texas 251 of trails: National Historic Trails. utah 4,434 3. Metropolitan Trails As the Act stands today, as Vermont 145 These trails would be in and around Virginia 1,058 amended, National Scenic Trails Washington 6,814 urban areas; with a suggested ratio are described as extended trails of West Virginia 589 of 25 miles of foot trail for every more than 100 miles in length that Wisconsin 35 50,000 residents. Since so many Wyoming 5,146 provide for outdoor recreation and district