How to Find USA Hiking Trails

Use American Discovery Trail for Hikes, Bikes, Horse Riding Trips

May 7, 2009 Donna West

American Discovery Trails makes it easier for hikers, bike riders, and horse riders to plan trips on trails across the entire USA discovering diverse geography .

A person may travel 6,800 miles on non-motorized trails across 15 states in the USA; from Cape Henlopen State Park, Delaware, to Pt. Reyes National Seashore, California, because of American Discovery Trails (ADT). These total miles include two major routes through central United States, north through Iowa and south through Missouri between Colorado and Ohio.

American Discovery Trails Society is not just about hiking trips, they include connections with people in each of the communities. Even though these trails are used most by individuals in local communities on day trips, people do hike coast-to-coast adventures.

How Did American Discovery Trails Begin?

American Discovery Trails Society is a non-profit organization formed to connect trails in local communities crossing the USA. The funding is supported by three entities:

Members of the American Discovery Trail Society with affordable donation dues
American Hiking Society
Corporate financial and promotional support.

American Hiking Society (AHS) and Backpacker Magazine created this idea of a coast to coast trail in 1989 to implement the National Trail System (NTS). NTS was created through the NTS Federal Legislation Act established in 1968 to provide ways for people to enjoy outdoor recreation with different types of trails. Today, United States has (as stated on the NTS website):

8 National Scenic Trails, which are protected scenic corridors for outdoor recreation located primarily in the backcountry
12 National Historic Trails, which recognize prominent routes of exploration, migration, commerce, and military actions
Over 800 National Recreational Trails

These trails are planned and maintained by local communities which are coordinated through American Discovery Trail Society. The trails are open for hikers, bike riding, and horse riding trips. Contact the local community trail authorities for specifics because some trails go through urban regions, and are not always accessible to some users, like horse riders. It is the separate unique experience of each of these local trails which people find alluring.

Examples of American Discovery Trails Trips

From local day trips to long adventures across USA, the trails are accessible for people to see all different types of geography and have conversations with people in local communities.

Some people like Jim Hopson, per his article at Poynter.org on Oct. 9, 2007, hike through select portions of the trails like "Katy Trail" in Missouri, from St Louis to Kansas City, on vacation trips every year.

Or, as per the American Discovery Trail Journal blog published on April 5, 2006, hikers Ken and Marcia Powers completed the first Atlantic to Pacific trail in 231 days.

Matt Parker was the first horse rider to cross 4,000 miles beginning in May 2003 to November 2005, as told on the American Discovery Trail website.

How to Plan Trips on American Discovery Trails?

Equipment is the same as backpackers use and information may be found at websites like American Hiking Society.
ADT allows postings of upcoming trips from users to plan their trips before and afterwards.
Rules and procedures such as which trails are dog-friendly are specific and people should inquire with the local community, contact information is available at the ADT website.
Registration is not necessary to use the trails, however, on longer treks it is advisable to keep in contact in cases of emergency.

What is in the Future for American Discovery Trails Society?

American Discovery Trails Society is currently developing high quality digital maps of the trails for people to use.

Additional information may be found ADT website or by calling (800) 663-2387 or (703) 753-0149 .

There are 6,800 trails across USA for people to discover the unique geography, local towns and communities, and stories through hiking, bike and horse riding on short day trips, one or two month vacations, and longer coast to coast trips with the assistance of American Discovery Trails.

The copyright of the article How to Find USA Hiking Trails in Backpacking, Hiking & Camping is owned by Donna West. Permission to republish How to Find USA Hiking Trails in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

American Discovery Trails Logo