America's National Historic Trails

The National Trail System was created in 1968 with the signing of the National Trails Act by Lyndon B. Johnson. At that time, three categories of trails came into being: National Recreation Trails, National Scenic Trails, and National Historic Trails (NHTs). Recreation Trails are usually short and locally based. They may be multi-use or single use. National Scenic Trails are long-distance trails, primarily for hiking.

Historic Trails are conceptually different from the other two categories. Most people think of a pathway that can be walked or biked when they hear the word "trail." However, Historic Trails are collections of sites which are focused on a particular historic transportation theme. They may commemorate past routes of "exploration, migration, trade, communication, or military action." These trails do not need to be continuous at the present time. What this means from a practical standpoint is that you usually will drive from one location to another to visit remnants of those routes and associated structures, monuments, museums, etc.

There are currently sixteen National Historic Trails. Although the National Trails Act created this category of trail, it was not until 1978 that four such trails were authorized.

Authorized in 1978:

The longest and probably best known of the NHTs is the Lewis and Clark Trail, commemorating their route of exploration (1803-1805). This trail begins in St. Louis, Missouri and ends 3700 miles away at the Pacific Ocean, at Fort Clatsop, Oregon. Many of the interpretive sites along this trail were refurbished for the recent bicentennial celebration of the Lewis and Clark expedition.

With the western expansion, the Oregon Trail became as well known as any Interstate Highway of today. From 1841 to about 1860 over 300,000 pioneers, traders, explorers, prospectors, and missionaries followed this route from Kansas City, Missouri to Oregon. The wagon ruts were so deeply incised in the soil that about 300 miles of the exact route is still discernable.

The Mormon Pioneer Trail is 1300 miles long, and extends from Nauvoo, Illinois to Salt Lake City, Utah. Forced from their homes by religious persecution, in 1847 Brigham Young led a band of Mormons along the Platte River, through Wyoming and into the city still associated with the Mormons.

Also among the first NHTs to be created is the well-known Iditarod Trail. Of course it is much better known as the route of the famous Alaskan dog-sled race, yet it also honors the 19th century gold prospectors and their teams. Most of the trail can not be followed except in winter when the tundra is frozen. The main route is 900 miles from Seward to Nome, but the entire trail system contains over 200 miles of historic routes.

Authorized in 1980:

The Overmountain Victory Trail is 300 miles long and goes from King's Mountain, South Carolina, to Abingdon, Virginia. It crosses the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. In 1780, colonists living in Virginia, Tennessee, and North Carolina formed a militia and crossed the mountains to defeat the British at King's Mountain. This is the route of their 14-day military march. That victory set in motion events that led to the end of the Revolutionary War with the surrender of the British at Yorktown.

Authorized in 1986:

Chief Joseph of the Nez Perce Indians is fairly well known as the Native leader who attempted to elude capture by the United States Army in 1877. They fled for over 1000 miles over various routes in Montana, Wyoming and Idaho before being overtaken just short of their goal, the Canadian border. The Nez Perce (Nee-Me-Poo) Trail honors this heroic effort.

Authorized in 1987:

The Santa Fe Trail is another route with a familiar name. From Independence, Missouri to Santa Fe, New Mexico its braided routes cover 1200 miles. It was built as the primary commercial route to the southwest, and later served as a military road during the Mexican War (1846-48). It was mostly abandoned after the coming of the railroads, like so many of the western trails.

The Cherokee Trail of Tears may also be familiar. In 1838-39, 16,000 Cherokee Indians were forced by the US Army from Chattanooga, Tennessee to Tahlequah, Oklahoma. Thousands died along the way. The trail has two primary branches, the northern one a land route and a southern route via the Mississippi and Arkansas Rivers.

Authorized in 1990:

Thirty families, led by Juan Bautista de Anza traveled from Mexico to the Golden Gate (now San Francisco) in 1775. Their desire was to secure that site from the Russians and the British. The Juan Bautista de Anza Trail is 1200 miles long.

Authorized in 1992:

The California Trail commemorates the gold rush of 1849. From Missouri the trail follows the same route as the Oregon and Mormon Pioneer Trails until it passes through the mountains. From there it diverges into many branches, totaling over 5000 miles.

The Pony Express Trail was established as a mail route in 1860. It connected Missouri with California and letters could be relayed over that distance in just ten days. The service lasted just 18 months, being quickly replaced by telegraph lines.

Authorized in 1996:

The largest civil rights march ever held in the South was the 1965 Selma to Montgomery walk of March 21, 1965. This historic event is within the lifetime of many persons still living. This march spurred the passage of the Voting Rights Act of 1965. The trail is within the state of Alabama.

Authorized in 2000:

El Camino Real de Tierra Adentro Trail is 400 miles long, going from Rio Grande near El Paso, Texas to San Juan Pueblo, New Mexico. The name means The Royal Road of the Interior. It was a vital trade route established in the late 16th century, linking Spain, Mexico, New Mexico, and the United States.

Unlike most of the NHTs, the Ala Kahakai (Trail by the Sea) will be a continuous walking path. It will follow ancient footpaths along the shores and into the mountains of Hawaii for 175 miles.

Authorized in 2002:

The Old Spanish Trail is "known as the longest, most arduous and crookedest pack mule route in America." From 1829-1848 its braided routes formed the shortest pathway from Santa Fe, New Mexico to Los Angeles, California. 2700 miles of these various commercial routes are now a National Historic Trail.

Authorized in 2004

El Camino Real de los Tejas is a combination of historic routes, including the Old San Antonio Road, totaling approximately 2580 miles. It extends from the Rio Grande near Laredo, Texas, to Natchitoches, Louisiana. Such famous men as Davy Crockett, Stephen Austin, Sam Huston and Jim Bowie used this royal highway.

Authorized in 2006:

The John Smith Chesapeake Trail is a series of water routes throughout the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries that traces the 1607-1609 voyages of Captain John Smith to chart the land and waterways. There are 3000 miles of potential trail.

All of these trails are overseen by a federal agency, either the National Park Service, the National Forest Service, or the Bureau of Land Management. Most of them are also served by a non-profit organization established to promote and preserve the historic sites.

The routes lend themselves to themed vacations and road trips. Why not plan an adventure along some historic route and perhaps you'll discover that time travel is still possible!