21 Trails Designated as National Recreation Trails

21 Trails Designated as National Recreation Trails

Saturday, June 7, 2014

No comments

To promote outdoor recreation and reconnect Americans to nature, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Director of the National Park Service Jonathan B. Jarvis announced yesterday the recognition of 19 hiking and biking trails and two water trails as national recreation trails, adding 452 miles in 11 states to the National Trails System. Among the newly designated trails are two trails in the Smokies region:

* Urban Wilderness South Loop Trail - a 28.4-mile trail that traverses the outskirts of Knoxville

* Rocky Knob Park Trail System - a 9-mile mountain bike trail system in Watauga County, NC

“I can think of no better way to celebrate National Trails Day than to support the efforts of local communities by formally recognizing these exceptional trails as national recreation trails,” Jewell said. “They provide easily accessible places to get exercise and connect with nature in both urban and rural areas, and promote our goal of encouraging all Americans, especially youth, to play, learn, serve and work in the great outdoors.”

National recreation trail designation recognizes existing trails and trail systems that link communities to recreational opportunities on public lands and in local parks across the nation. Each of the new national recreation trails will receive a certificate of designation, a letter of congratulations from Secretary Jewell, and a set of trail markers.

The national recreation trails program is jointly administered by the National Park Service and the Forest Service in conjunction with a number of other federal and not-for-profit partners, notably American Trails, which hosts the national recreation trails website. Both the Secretary of the Interior and the Secretary of Agriculture have the authority to approve designations in response to an application from the trail's managing agency or organization.

For the full list of trails being designated this year as national recreation trails, please click here.





Jeff
Hiking in the Smokies

Read More

Secretary Jewell Announces Designation of 28 National Recreation Trails in 18 States

Secretary Jewell Announces Designation of 28 National Recreation Trails in 18 States

Saturday, June 1, 2013

No comments

In recognition of National Trails Day, Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell and Director of the National Park Service Jonathan B. Jarvis, announced yesterday the designation of 28 trails as national recreation trails, adding almost 650 miles of trails to the National Trails System.

"From coast to coast, the National Trails System helps connect American families with the wonders of the great outdoors," said Secretary Jewell. "These 28 new national recreation trails, established through partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, connect federal, state and local lands and waters to provide access to inexpensive, enjoyable outdoor activities for all Americans.”

“Today’s trails span 18 states and join a network of more than 1,200 previously designated trails that total more than 15,000 miles,” said Director Jarvis. “As we get ready to celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, I encourage everyone to get outside and explore one of these great trails.”

National recreation trail designation recognizes existing trails and trail systems that link communities to recreational opportunities on public lands and in local parks across the nation. Communities and other partners supporting the establishment of the new national recreation trails receive a certificate of designation, a letter of congratulations from Secretary Jewell, and a set of national recreation trail markers.

The national recreation trail program is jointly administered by the National Park Service and the U.S. Forest Service in conjunction with a number of other federal and nonprofit partners, notably American Trails, which hosts the national recreation trails website.

For more information, and to see the complete list of 28 trails that have been designated this year, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Read More

Salazar, Jarvis Announce Designation of 54 New National Recreation Trails

Salazar, Jarvis Announce Designation of 54 New National Recreation Trails

Saturday, June 2, 2012

No comments

As part of the festivities surrounding National Trails Day, Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar and Director of the National Park Service Jonathan B. Jarvis announced the designation of 54 trails as national recreation trails, adding almost 1,400 miles of trails to the National Trails System. Spanning 23 states, the land and water trails provide opportunities for communities to connect to the great outdoors.

“Today’s trails join a network of more than 1,150 previously-designated trails that span more than 13,650 miles,.” said Director Jarvis. “As we celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, I encourage everyone to explore a trail – new or old – and enjoy the natural world.”

The national trail system has become so extensive that if all the trails were laid end to end they would cross the entire country more than four times, offering millions of Americans opportunities to bike, hike, paddle and spend time with their family and friends outdoors, Jarvis noted.

The national recreation trail program is jointly administered by the National Park Service and the USDA Forest Service in conjunction with a number of other federal and nonprofit partners, notably American Trails.

Trails designated in the Smokies region include the Overmountain Victory Trail in North Carolina, as well as the East Lakeshore and Wolf River Greenway trails in Tennessee. To see a complete list of all 54 trails that have been designated as national recreation trails, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Read More

New National Recreation Trails Designated

New National Recreation Trails Designated

Monday, June 6, 2011

No comments

Late last week the U.S. Department of the Interior announced the designation of 41 trails as National Recreation Trails, adding almost 650 miles of new trails to the National Trails System. Spanning across 17 states, the land and water trails provide opportunities for communities to connect with nature and enjoy the great outdoors as part of a healthier lifestyle.

“From coast to coast, National Recreation Trails help connect Americans with the wonders of America’s Great Outdoors," said Deputy Secretary Hayes. "Today’s new National Recreation Trails, built through partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, provide great opportunities for people to get outside, get active and have fun. The trails establish a strong link in our urban and rural communities alike to a conservation legacy for future generations to build upon."

With the announcement, the state of Alabama saw 21 trails officially designated as National Recreation Trails. The only trails to receive designation in the Smokies region was the Warriors' Path State Park Mountain Bike Trail System. The park is located near Kingston, Tennessee.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Read More

31 New National Recreation Trails Designated

31 New National Recreation Trails Designated

Sunday, May 30, 2010

No comments

Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar announced the designation of 31 trails in 15 states as National Recreation Trails, adding more than 716 miles of trails to the National Trails System.

"From coast to coast, the National Trails System helps connect American families with the wonders of the great outdoors," said Secretary of the Interior Ken Salazar. "These new National Recreation Trails, built through partnerships with local communities and stakeholders, will create new opportunities for fitness and stewardship while creating a lasting legacy for our children and grandchildren."

Each year nominations for designation of new National Recreation Trails may be submitted. The NRT Program recognizes trails that provide opportunities for all Americans to enjoy the out-of-doors and improve the quality of life of our communities. The trails which are designated are announced in the first week of June as part of National Trails Day events.

With nine trails added to the National Trails System, the state of Alabama scored the highest number of newly designated National Recreation Trails.

The Highlands Plateau Greenway was the only trail to be designated in the Great Smoky Mountains region. The Highlands Plateau Greenway is located roughly 35 miles south of Cherokee in Highlands, North Carolina, the highest incorporated town east of the Mississippi. The 5-mile network of continuous walking trails connects natural areas and historic sites for educational and recreational opportunities. Straddling the Eastern Continental Divide in a temperate rainforest, the area boasts the highest floral and faunal diversity in North America. Because of this unique environment, landscaping along the trail with plants native to the southern mountains is a major focus.

You can find the complete list of newly designated National Recreation Trails by clicking here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com Detailed information on trails in the Smoky Mountains; includes trail descriptions, key features, pictures, video, maps, elevation profiles, news, and more.

Read More

22 new National Recreation Trails

22 new National Recreation Trails

Wednesday, August 5, 2009

No comments

Early last month, the secretary of the Department of the Interior, Ken Salazar, recently designated 22 trails in 13 states, as newly recognized National Recreation Trails, adding more than 525 miles of trails to the National Trails System.

The National Trail System Act of 1968 authorized creation of a national trail system comprised of National Recreation Trails, National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails. While National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails may only be designated by an act of Congress, National Recreation Trails may be designated by the Secretary of Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture to recognize exemplary trails of local and regional significance in response to an application from the trail's managing agency or organization. Through designation, these trails are recognized as part of America's national system of trails.

To see the complete list of new trails added to the system, please click here.


Jeff
HikingintheSmokys.com

Smoky Mountain Rental Cabins - cabin and chalet listings in the Smokies

Read More