The National Trails System establishes and protects four types of trails: national scenic trails, national historic trails, national recreation trails, and side and connecting trails. In this post, we shine the spotlight on the 19 National Historic Trails.
According to NPS.gov, the “National historic trails recognize original trails or routes of travel of national historic significance including past routes of exploration, migration, and military action.” Only an act of Congress can designate a trail as a National Historic Trail. Only 19 trails have received this honor since 1978.
All of the National Historic Trails were established because they have a historical significance. If you’re keen to learn about the history of the United States, then exploring the roughly 36,651 miles of the 19 National Historic Trails is a great way to expand your knowledge of the nation.
A map of the National Trails System can be found at AmericanTrails.org.
Below you will find a quick snapshot of the 19 National Historic Trails:
Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail
- Length: 175 miles
- Year Established: 2000
- States: Hawaii
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
California National Historic Trail
- Length: 5,600 miles
- Year Established: 1992
- States: CA, CO, ID, KS, MO, NE, NV, OR, UT, WY
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail
- Length: 3,000 miles
- Year Established: 2006
- States: VA, MD, DE, DC, PA, NY
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail
- Length: 2,600 miles
- Year Established: 2004
- States: VA, MD, DE, DC, PA, NY
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro National Historic Trail
- Length: 404 miles
- Year Established: 2000
- States: NM, TX
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service, Bureau Of Land Management
- More Info: NPS.gov
Iditarod National Historic Trail
- Length: 2,350 miles
- Year Established: 1978
- States: AK
- Administrating Agency: Bureau Of Land Management
- More Info: BLM.gov
Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail
- Length: 1,200 miles
- Year Established: 1990
- States: AZ, CA
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
Lewis And Clark National Historic Trail
- Length: 3,700 miles
- Year Established: 1928
- States: ID, IL, IA, KS, MO, MT, NE, ND, OR, SD, WA
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
Mormon Pioneer National Historic Trail
- Length: 1,300 miles
- Year Established: 1978
- States: IL, IA, NE, UT, WY
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) National Historic Trail
- Length: 1,170 miles
- Year Established: 1986
- States: ID, OR, MT, WY
- Administrating Agency: US Forest Service
- More Info: FS.USDA.gov
Old Spanish National Historic Trail
- Length: 2,700 miles
- Year Established: 2002
- States: AZ, CA, CO, NV, NM, UT
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service, Bureau Of Land Management
- More Info: NPS.gov
Oregon National Historic Trail
- Length: 2,170 miles
- Year Established: 1978
- States: ID, KS, MO, NE, OR, WA, WY
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail
- Length: 330 miles
- Year Established: 1980
- States: NC, SC, TN, VA
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
Pony Express National Historic Trail
- Length: 2,000 miles
- Year Established: 1992
- States: CA, CO, KS, MO, NE, NV, UT, WY
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
Santa Fe National Historic Trail
- Length: 1,203 miles
- Year Established: 1987
- States: CO, KS, MO, NM, OK
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
Selma To Montgomery National Historic Trail
- Length: 54 miles
- Year Established: 1996
- States: AL
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail
- Length: 290 miles
- Year Established: 2008
- States: DC, MD, VA
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
Trail Of Tears National Historic Trail
- Length: 5,405 miles
- Year Established: 1987
- States: AL, AR, GA, IL, KY, MO, NC, OK, TN
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
Washington-Rochambeau Revolutionary Route National Historic Trail
- Length: 1,000 miles
- Year Established: 2009
- States: MA, RI, CT, NY, NJ, PA, DE, MD, VA, DC
- Administrating Agency: National Park Service
- More Info: NPS.gov
Learn more about the National Historic Trails at Trails50.org and at NPS.gov.
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