Editing National Trails System (section)

==National Recreation Trails==
{{see also|Category:National Recreation Trails of the United States}}
[[File:NRT_Logo.gif|right|thumb|NRT logo|alt=Rounded triangle-shaped logo with "National Recreation Area" around the border and a red, white, and blue "USA" with the "S" stylized as a trail leading to mountains]]
National recreation trail (NRT) is a designation given to existing trails that contribute to the recreational and conservation goals of a national network of trails. Over 1,300 trails over all fifty states have been designated as NRTs on [[Federal lands|federal]], state, municipal, tribal and private lands that are available for public use and are less than a mile to more than {{convert|500|mi|km}} in length.<ref name="National Park Service">{{Cite web |title=National Recreation Trails - National Trails System |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationaltrailssystem/national-recreation-trails.htm |access-date=2021-05-09 |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref> They have a combined length of more than {{convert|29,000|mi|km}}.<ref name="American Trails database">{{Cite web |title=National Recreation Trails Database |url=https://www.nrtdatabase.org/ |access-date=2021-05-10 |publisher=American Trails}}</ref>

Most NRTs are [[hiking trails]], but a significant number are [[Multi-use trail|multi-use trails]] or [[Bike path|bike paths]], including [[Rail trail|rail trails]] and [[Greenway (landscape)|greenways]]. Some are intended for use with watercraft, horses, [[Cross-country skiing|cross-country skis]], or [[Off-road vehicle|off-road recreational vehicles]].<ref name="American Trails-how to">{{Cite web |title=How To Apply for NRT Designation |url=https://www.americantrails.org/national-recreation-trails/apply |access-date=2021-05-09 |publisher=American Trails}}</ref> There are a number of [[Water trail|water trails]] that make up the [[National Water Trails System]] subprogram.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Water Trails System - National Trails System |url=https://www.nps.gov/subjects/nationaltrailssystem/national-water-trails-system.htm |access-date=2021-05-09 |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref> Eligible trails must be complete, well designed and maintained, and open to the public.<ref name="American Trails-how to" />

The NPS and the USFS jointly administer the National Recreation Trails Program with help from other federal and nonprofit partners, notably American Trails, the lead [[Non-profit organization|nonprofit]] for developing and promoting NRTs.<ref name="National Park Service" /> The [[United States Secretary of the Interior|secretary of interior]] or the [[United States Secretary of Agriculture|secretary of agriculture]] (if on USFS land) designates national recreation trails that are of local and regional significance. Managers of eligible trails can apply for designation with the support of all landowners and their state's trail coordinator (if on non-federal land).<ref name="American Trails-how to" /> Designated trails become part of the National Trails System and receive promotional benefits, use of the NRT logo, technical and networking assistance, and preference for funding through the Department of Transportation's [[Recreational Trails Program]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Benefits of NRT Designation |url=https://www.americantrails.org/national-recreation-trails/benefits |access-date=2021-05-09 |publisher=American Trails}}</ref>

American Trails sponsors an annual NRT photo contest<ref>{{Cite web |title=Photo Contest |url=https://www.americantrails.org/national-recreation-trails/photo-contest |access-date=2021-05-10 |publisher=American Trails}}</ref> and a biennial symposium<ref>{{Cite web |title=The International Trails Symposium |url=https://www.americantrails.org/symposium |access-date=2021-05-10 |publisher=American Trails}}</ref> and maintains the NRT database.<ref name="American Trails database" />

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