National Trails System Act Historic Legislation

The United States Code, Title 16, Chapter 27, entitled "The National Trails
System Act," was enacted in 1968, with the bold task of not only defining regulations about trails, but also creating a nationwide trail marker system, as well as rules regarding how and where lands can be procured for the use of trails. This legislation was created for the purpose of preservation, access for the public, and travel within and through historic and scenic areas of the nation. The legislation with regard to the “National Trails System” deals with roughly everything that has to do with trails in one way or another, including the administration of, regulations and penalties regarding trails, definition of specific historical sites, scenic areas, trail connections, extended trails, and historic travel routes. This law was passed with the intention to "maximize outdoor recreation potential” and to generally provide a way for the public to access the beauties of nature. 

The “National Trails System” defines Historic trails as all trails that follow “routes of travel or original trails” with historical significance. The legislation also says that these trails do not have to be followed precisely, but the route should be kept as true as possible to the actual historic route, or at least as close as is reasonable. Scenic trails are defined as trails that represent and show the nationally significant scenic, historic, natural, and cultural areas of the nation. The legislation clarified connecting or side trails as being trails that connect to major trails of interest and trails that connect to major trails of interest and trails that connected two or more larger trails together. Extended trails are by definition trails that total more than 100 miles in length, except in some instances where historical trails are designated as extended even though they are less than 100 miles long. The trails have to meet many regulations outside of their definition to conform to certain parameters that are defined by this piece of legislation.