Application for Designation as National Recreation Trail or National Water Trail

The purpose of this information collection is to assist the National Park Service (NPS) in submitting suitable trails or trail systems to the Secretary of the Interior for designation as National Recreation Trails (NRTs), and in recommending exemplary water trails to the Secretary of the Interior for designation as National Water Trails (NWTs) to be included in the National Water Trails System (NWTS). The NPS administers the NRT program by authority of section 4 of the National Trails System Act (16 USC 1243). Secretarial Order No. 3319 established National Water Trails as a class of National Recreation Trails and directed that such trails collectively be considered in a National Water Trails System. National Recreation Trail designation provides national recognition to local and regional trails or trail systems, acknowledging local and state efforts to build and maintain viable trails and trail systems. This recognition function is shared by the Secretary of Agriculture (for trails on National Forest lands and waters) and the Secretary of the Interior (for all other trails). The National Water Trails System is focused on building a national network of exceptional water trails that can be sustained by an ever growing and vibrant water trail community. The NWTS connects Americans to the nation’s waterways and strengthens the conservation and restoration of those waterways. Best management practices provide high quality water-based outdoor recreational opportunities.

The latest form for Application for Designation as National Recreation Trail or National Water Trail expires 2023-03-31 and can be found here.

National Recreation Trails Application (Individual)

Federal Enterprise Architecture: Natural Resources - Recreational Resource Management and Tourism

Review document collections for all forms, instructions, and supporting documents - including paper/printable forms.