As a child my parents always traveled along the Natchez Trace Parkway on our way to visit our family. It was a wonderful time to enjoy nature and see the many gifts we are given each day. Along the winding trail we saw many wild animals, and trees which we viewed at outlooks along the road.
Today is National Trails Day. Did you know there are many trails which cover the United States? The Natchez Trace is only one of many. They are actually divided up into categories-scenic, historic, and recreational trails. Many connect. The trails in the United States are over 88,600 miles long.
There are eleven scenic trails which are:
- Appalachian National Scenic Trail is located in the Appalachian Mountains and is over 2000 miles long.
- Pacific Crest National Scenic Trail makes way from Canada to Mexico along the Pacific Mountain Range.
- Continental Divide National Scenic Trail goes through five states (New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Idaho and Montana – touching both Canada and Mexico. It is over 3100 miles in length.
- North Country National Scenic Trail goes through eight states along the Canadian border from Vermont to North Dakota.
- Ice Age National Scenic Trail travels through Minnesota and Wisconsin. It got its name because there are traces of the Ice Age in that area.
- Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail travels through the mouth of the Potomac to the Alleghany Highlands on the east coast.
- Natchez Trace National Scenic Trail roams along the Mississippi River up through Alabama then onto Tennessee. There points along the roadway where you can get off the road & hike. It is the shortest in the nation.
- Florida National Scenic Trail meanders from Big Cypress National Preserve all the way to the Panhandle of Florida. They say it is quite beautiful experience.
- Arizona National Scenic Trail sojourns through all of Arizona to Utah. You will be able to experience some of the desert and mountains through the state which makes this state one of the most distinctive in the country.
- New England National Scenic Trail although only 235 miles long it may be one of the prettiest in the nation. It is found in Connecticut and Massachusetts.
- Pacific Northwest National Scenic Trail is a neat trail which treks along the Canadian borders going through the states of Washington, Montana, and Idaho.
The historic trails are recognized for the development of the United States. These pathways were used by early settlers for travel and even for military action. There are nineteen of these trails and some are even water based. The links below will allow you to learn a bit more about them. These are some that I think I would like to visit.
- Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
- California National Historic Trail
- Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
- El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail
- El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail
- Iditarod National Historic Trail
- Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
- Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail
- Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
- Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail
- Old Spanish National Historic Trail
- Oregon National Historic Trail
- Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
- Pony Express National Historic Trail
- Santa Fe National Historic Trail
- Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail
- Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
- Trail of Tears National Historic Trail
- Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
The national recreation trails are located for the most part in urban areas. They total more than 28,000 miles of these trails These are both water and land based. Explore the area around you. You never know what you might find. We have so many trails in the United States that provide .so many benefits and have given us a rich history to absorb. As you are out on these trails take the time to take in the beauty which surrounds us everyday.
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