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165,000 miles of adventure

Inside the world’s largest trail system

Andrew Avitt
Office of Communication
June 5, 2026

On national forests every day is National Trails Day. There is a trail for everyone, year-round.

Across the country, 165,000 miles of Forest Service managed trails wind up, down and through the landscape. End-to-end, those trails could circle the globe more than six times, making the Forest Service the proud managers of the biggest trail system in the world.

A person riding a three-wheeled cycle on a forest trail.
A woman bikes on the disabled-friendly trails of the Thompson Park area of Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest. (Forest Service photo by Preston Keres)

And just like the multiple uses of our national forests, many of these trails have multiple uses too.

They can be used for access to get a visitor to a point of interest — like a waterfall, a vista, or a favorite backcountry campsite. They are also a means of enjoyment themselves, a place to hike, bike, e-bike, 4x4, ride horses, cross country ski, and snowmobile.

And when it’s too hot to hit the ole’ dusty trail, the Forest Service also has wet ones. Like the 74 water trails along 1,290 miles of waterway. These streams and rivers usually have boat launches and are perfect opportunities for avid paddlers with their canoe, kayak or paddleboard.

A small group of people in a blue raft sitting in the calmer waters of a river while white water rapids churn below them.
Two people looking across a wide river to a group of white water rafters on the far bank.
A closeup image of four people wearing life vests and helmets riding a white water rapid that is crashing over the top of the raft.

Whitewater rafters recreate on the Chattooga River on the Sumter National Forest, Andrew Pickens Ranger District. (Forest Service photos by Preston Keres)

There are short trails, a tenth of a mile, a 10-minute jaunt to a nearby overlook, or picnic area. And then there are long trails, thousands of miles, that people spend years training and planning for which routinely take as long as 9 months to complete. And everything in between.

The Forest Service leads alongside other land management agencies to maintain some of the country’s most renowned trails that make up the National Scenic and Historic Trail System that was established by Congress in 1968; iconic trails like the Pacific Crest Trail (2,653 miles) the and Continental Divide National Scenic Trail (3,028 miles), and the Florida Trail (1,500 miles).

Hikers hiking on a trail situated on a baren hillside with sparse patches of snow. Lush forest, a lake, hills, and a clear blue sky are shown in the background.
On an Eldorado National Forest trail, partly on the Pacific Crest Trail, hikers climb upward towards Round Top at 10,381-feet with Caples Lake in the background. (Forest Service photo by Paul Wade)

There are also many historic trails that run through national forests. These trails, as the designation suggests, have a story. Some adventurous, used to run mail (Pony Express National Historic Trail), or to explore the uncharted (Lewis and Clark Trail Scenic Byway), but also important sadder stories of indigenous people forced to relocate from their homeland (Nez Perce National Historic Trail).

That’s a lot of trail miles to manage. We can’t do it all on our own.

A Little Help from Our Friends

Last year, Forest Service trail managers managed thousands of volunteers who donated their time and energy to maintain over 27,000 miles of trail—accounting for over half of all trail maintenance. With volunteer in-kind contributions, combined with $9 million in grant funding, trail managers nearly quadrupled the federal investment from $20 million to $78 million.

A Forest Service employee with a group of young volunteers working to improve a Forest trail in a sparse forest.
A group of 5 volunteers standing on a forest trail holding hand tools for trail maintenance.

The Highland Cycling Club volunteers help clear out the trails in Thompson Park in the Butte Ranger District of Beaverhead-Deerlodge National Forest (left), while members of the Montana Conservation Corps clear trails near Wade Lake. (right) (Forest Service photos by Preston Keres)

Not only are partnerships and volunteers multiplying the hands and money to get the work done. The money spent is a solid investment.

Although most Forest Service trails are free to use and do not generate revenue for the agency, they are responsible for boosting local economies in front-country communities. The Forest Service estimates that 98 million visitors in 2025 spent about $5 billion in these communities supporting local businesses.

A family in shadow, one pushing a baby stroller, on a forest trail.
Four people on horseback on a forest trail approaching a small, low bridge.
A mother and daughter enjoying a bicycle ride on a forest trail.
Top: Whether strolling with the family, or riding on horseback, National Forest System trails can be enjoyed year-round . (Forest Service photos by Preston Keres) Bottom: Mountain bikers enjoy a ride along the scenic Agonikak National Recreation Trail in the Ottawa National Forest near Watersmeet, Michigan. The trail is designated as a National Recreation Trail and serves as a nonmotorized corridor for hiking and bicycling within the Wilderness Lakes Trail system, providing public access through the national forest. (Forest Service photo by Marc Sanchez) 

Can’t make it out to your favorite trail this June 6 for National Trails Day? That’s ok. Every day’s trails day.

If you're inspired and excited about the largest trail system in the world, reach out to your local forest or grassland for ways to get involved. Across the nation, there’s still a lot of work to be done.

For more information about National Trails Day events or how to get involved visit https://americanhiking.org/national-trails-day/find-an-event/.