United States/National Trails System
This page details National Scenic and Historic Trails and National Recreation Trails for use in OpenStreetMap in the United States
National Scenic and Historic Trails
National trails are officially established under the authorities of the National Trails System Act (16 USC 1241-51). There are several types:
National scenic trails are 100 miles or longer, continuous, primarily non-motorized routes of outstanding recreation opportunity. Such trails are established by Act of Congress.
National historic trails commemorate historic (and prehistoric) routes of travel that are of significance to the entire Nation. They must meet all three criteria listed in Section 5(b)(11) of the National Trails System Act. Such trails are established by Act of Congress.
National Recreation Trails
For National Recreation Trails there is no designated Federal oversight responsibility, investment, management, or other involvement beyond the designation recognition. The program allows locally managed trails to be recognized for their contribution to the Nation’s system of public trail access and outdoor enjoyment. Many agencies, communities, and States pursue NRT designation to highlight the trail for tourism marketing, promote public access, and to recognize trails as a recreation amenity value for communities.
In OpenStreetMap
How to Map
Mapped Trails
National Historic Trails
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For now, please tag the auto route trails with network=US:NHT
| Trail Name | OSM Relation | Well Mapped? | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ala Kahakai National Historic Trail | 175 mile route, Has some ways mapped, but no route relation. | Auto | |
| California Trail | 5,600 mile route; Problems of Verifiability may arise mapping this one, but valid auto routes seem to exist. | Auto | |
| Captain John Smith Chesapeake National Historic Trail | 3,000-mile route, Only a water route, also may be difficult to verify. | Marine | |
| El Camino Real de los Tejas National Historic Trail | 2,600-mile route, Doesn't appear to be mapped at all, but does seem to follow existing roads. | Auto/Walking | |
| Camino Real de Tierra Adentro | 404-mile route, Doesn't appear to be mapped. | Auto | |
| Iditarod Trail | 7208153 7208153 |
2,400-mile route | Special |
| Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail | 1,200-mile route | Auto/Walking | |
| Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail | 4,900-mile route | Auto/Marine | |
| Mormon Trail | 1,300-mile route | Auto | |
| Nez Perce National Historic Trail | 1,170-mile route | Walking | |
| Old Spanish Trail (trade route) | 2,700-mile route | Auto/Walking | |
| Oregon Trail | 2,170-mile route | Auto | |
| Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail | 3087601 3087601 |
330-mile route, appears to be in progress | Walking |
| Pony Express#National_Historic_Trail | 2,000-mile route | Auto | |
| Santa Fe Trail | 1,203-mile route | Auto | |
| Selma to Montgomery National Historic Trail | 13302056 13302056
|
54-mile route | Auto |
| Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail | 560-mile route | Marine | |
| Trail of Tears | 5,045-mile route includes roads and rivers | Auto | |
| Washington–Rochambeau Revolutionary Route | 700-mile road route | Auto |
National Scenic Trails
| Trail Name | OSM Relation | Well Mapped? |
|---|---|---|
| Appalachian National Scenic Trail | 156553 156553 |
|
| Arizona Trail | 2804113 2804113 |
Completely mapped as a single relation |
| Continental Divide National Scenic Trail | 921198 921198 |
|
| Florida National Scenic Trail | 1163455 1163455 |
Mapped in August 2022 by user:mycota |
| Ice Age National Scenic Trail | 2381423 2381423 |
|
| Natchez Trace Trail | needs a single relation created, segments are present in OSM | |
| New England National Scenic Trail | 3672563 3672563 |
|
| North Country National Scenic Trail | 8808051 8808051 |
|
| Pacific Crest Trail | 1225378 1225378 |
|
| Pacific Northwest Trail | 11225405 11225405 |
|
| Potomac Heritage Trail | 1623950 1623950 |
National Recreation Trails
Because National Recreation Trails can have a diverse meaning, and there are tens of trails per state, it is recommended to work on mapping recreational trails at a statewide level. The search function on the NRT Database is useful for finding all the trails in your state. if you have a page for the trails in your state, link it in the table below.
| State | Progress |
|---|---|
| American Trails Database | |
| Alabama | Incomplete |
| Michigan | Incomplete |
National Water Trails
National Water Trails are a sub-set of the National Recreation Trails Program.
| Trail Name | Relation |
|---|---|
| Alabama Scenic River Trail | 14222682 14222682
|
| Arkansas River Water Trail | |
| Bayou Teche Paddle Trail | |
| Black Canyon Water Trail | |
| Bronx River Waterway | |
| Chattahoochee River NRA Water Trail | |
| Chippewa River Water Trail | |
| Flint River Water Trail | |
| Great Miami Watershed Water Trail | |
| Green and Nolin Rivers Blueway | |
| Hudson River Greenway Water Trail | |
| Huron River Water Trail | |
| Kanakakee River Water Trail | |
| Kansas River Water Trail | |
| Kitsap Peninsula Water Trail | |
| Mississippi National River and Recreation Area Water Trail | |
| Mississippi River Water Trail | |
| Missouri National Recreational River Water Trail | |
| Mojave Water Trail | |
| Musconetcong Watershed National Water Trail | |
| New York State Canalway Water Trail | |
| North Carolina Smoky Mountain Blueways | |
| Ohio River Water Trail | |
| Okefenokee Wilderness Canoe Trail System | |
| Red Rock Water Trail | |
| Rock River Water Trail | |
| Shiawassee River | |
| South Carolina Revolutionary Rivers Trail | |
| St. Louis River Estuary Water Trail | |
| Suwannee River Wilderness Trail | |
| The Island Loop Route | |
| Trinity River Paddling Trail | |
| Tualatin River Water Trail | |
| Waccamaw River Blue Trail | |
| Willamette River Water Trail |