The Department of the Interior announced the dedication of nine new national recreation trails on National Trails Day, June 3.
This announcement increases the National Trails System by 340 miles in more than half a dozen states, according to the National Park Service website.
“This National Trails Day, I encourage everyone to explore one of the national scenic, historic or recreation trails that make up the National Trails System,” Secretary of the Interior Deb Haaland said in a June 2 news release. “These trails offer an abundance of opportunities to experience the breathtaking landscapes of our country, all while supporting outdoor recreation activities and boosting local economies.”
The system was created by the National Trails System Act of 1968, the NPS website said. It is a system that includes scenic trails, historic trails and national recreation trails, which encourage the public to spend time outdoors and explore outdoor spaces and places that are significant to the country’s history.
The new trails are in Alabama, Arkansas, Georgia, Illinois, Oregon, Tennessee, Texas, Utah and Wisconsin, according to the news release. The trails range in length from 1 mile to 158 miles, and many allow for multiple uses – like hiking, biking and more.
The National Recreational Trails system provides opportunities for people to explore land and water-based trails on lands under federal, state and local ownership, according to the NPS. There are almost 1,300 national recreational trails across the country and in Puerto Rico. Individuals can find local National Recreational Trails to explore through an NPS online database.
“National recreation trails, including these new designations, are some of our country’s highest caliber trails and provide close-to-home recreation opportunities and the benefits of spending time outdoors,” National Park Service Director Chuck Sams said in the news release. “They can be used by everyone and provide for the ever-increasing recreation needs of our growing population, especially in urban areas.”
In Oregon, the Crown Zellerbach Trail, known locally as the Crown Z or CZ Trail, connects the communities of Vernonia and Scappoose, following a 1906 railway path – that railroad was the Portland Southwestern Railroad, according to the NPS database. Hikers, equestrians and bikers are all welcome on the trail, which is mostly finely packed gravel, with trailheads every two to four miles.
The Fabulous Fox! Water Trail runs from northeast Illinois to southeast Wisconsin. It is the longest of the newly-designated trails, according to a trail FAQ. It is a project of the Fabulous Fox! Water Trail Core Development Team, city and county entities in both Illinois and Wisconsin and others. Recreation-seeking individuals can access the trail at one of more than 75 different access points. Some of those access points include restrooms, picnicking, shelter and access to drinking water.
