National Recreation Trail 862501 153420668 2007-08-24T20:43:50Z Ando228 198511 updated number of trails [[Image:NRT_Logo.gif|right|thumb| National Recreation Trail Logo]]'''National Recreation Trail''' (NRT) is a designation given to existing [[trail]]s that contribute to health, conservation, and recreation goals in the [[United States]]. About 1,000 trails in all 50 states, available for public use and ranging from less than a mile to 485 miles in length, have been designated as NRTs on federal, state, municipal, and privately owned lands. Trails may be nominated for designation as NRTs each year. The NRT [http://tutsan.forest.net/trails/default.htm on-line database] includes information on most designated trails. The [[National Park Service]] and [[United States Department of Agriculture|USDA]] [[United States Forest Service|Forest Service]] jointly administer the National Recreation Trails Program with help from a number of other federal and nonprofit partners, notably [[American Trails]], the lead [[nonprofit organization|nonprofit]] for developing and promoting NRTs. The [[National Trails System Act of 1968]] (Public Law 90-543) authorized creation of a national trail system composed of National Recreation Trails, [[National Scenic Trail]]s, and [[National Historic Trail]]s. While National Scenic Trails and National Historic Trails may only be designated by an act of [[United States Congress|Congress]], National Recreation Trails may be designated by the [[United States Secretary of the Interior|Secretary of Interior]] or the [[United States Secretary of Agriculture|Secretary of Agriculture]] to recognize exemplary trails of local and regional significance in response to an application from the trail's managing agency or organization. Through designation, these trails are recognized as part of America's national system of trails. The National Recreation Trail Program supports designated NRT's with an array of benefits, including promotion, technical assistance, a newsletter, email alerts, and networking. Its goal is to promote the use and care of existing trails and stimulate the development of new trails to create a national network of trails and realize the vision of "Trails for All Americans." A state-by-state index provide photos and details on featured trails. The first-ever NRT Photo Contest was sponsored in 2003 by American Trails and is continuing each year. A Request for Proposals for art projects on National Recreation Trails was also undertaken. ==External links== * [http://www.nps.gov/ncrc/programs/nts/legislation.html The National Trails System Act of 1968] * [http://www.americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/ National Recreation Trails Program] * [http://www.americantrails.org/ American Trails] {{TrailSystem}} [[Category:National Trails of the United States|*]] [[Category:Historic trails and roads in the United States]] [[Category:Hiking trails in North America|*National Recreation Trail]] [[Category:Protected areas of the United States]]