Interior Designates Six New National Trails, Including Route Within Bears Ears National Monument

On June 6, 2026, the Department of the Interior expanded the nation's outdoor recreation infrastructure by designating six new National Trails. The move adds 162.5 miles of hiking, paddling, and multi-use corridors across five states to the National Trails System. [1] Timed to coincide with National Trails Day and Great Outdoors Month, the designations highlight a growing federal push to connect communities with accessible outdoor spaces and preserve historically significant landscapes. [1][2][1][2]

Unlike National Scenic Trails, which require an act of Congress, National Recreation Trails can be designated directly by the Secretary of the Interior or the Secretary of Agriculture. [1][2] This status does not impose new federal regulations on the land, but it provides local trail managers with national recognition, promotional support, and access to technical assistance and federal networking programs. [2] The newly elevated routes join a vast network of more than 1,350 existing National Recreation Trails found in every state. [1][1][2]

The 2026 additions are notable for their sheer diversity, reflecting a modern understanding of what constitutes a "trail." Rather than focusing exclusively on rugged backcountry hiking, the new designations span a wide spectrum of fitness and recreation environments. [1][6] They include intense alpine ascents in Colorado, a flat rail-to-trail conversion in Indiana, a community nature preserve in Virginia, a culturally significant desert route in Utah, and a 120-mile aquatic corridor in Pennsylvania. [1][1][6]

Perhaps the most closely watched addition is the Bluff River Trail in southeastern Utah. This 8-mile non-motorized route follows the San Juan River and begins at the Sand Island Recreation Area, located within the boundaries of the embattled Bears Ears National Monument. [1][2] The trail winds through cottonwood groves and floodplains, providing the only public river access for the nearby town of Bluff. [1][1][2]

The inclusion of a route within Bears Ears carries significant weight. The monument has been a flashpoint in public lands policy; it was shrunk by 85 percent during the Trump administration to open resource development opportunities, before being restored to its original boundaries by the Biden administration in 2021. [2] Against this backdrop, the Bluff River Trail designation emphasizes cultural preservation and low-impact recreation, featuring interpretive exhibits that connect hikers to ancient petroglyph panels and thousands of years of Indigenous history. [1][2][1][2]

For hikers seeking intense cardiovascular challenges, the designations in Colorado’s Rocky Mountain National Park offer premier alpine conditioning. The Department of the Interior elevated both the 11-mile East Inlet Trail and the 5.8-mile Glacier Gorge Loop. [1] The Glacier Gorge route provides access to iconic high-altitude destinations like Alberta Falls, Dream Lake, and Lake Haiyaha, featuring primitive segments that demand careful footwork and protect sensitive ecosystems. [1][1]

The East Inlet Trail, originally constructed in 1913 and improved by the Civilian Conservation Corps in the 1940s, represents a classic wilderness endurance test. [4] Beginning near Grand Lake, the trail climbs steadily past Adams Falls into a pristine subalpine basin. [1][4] Hikers who push beyond the initial accessible viewpoints are rewarded with access to a chain of remote backcountry lakes—including Lone Pine, Lake Verna, and Spirit Lake—and eight designated wilderness campsites. [1][1][4]

In contrast to the grueling alpine routes, the new designations also champion highly accessible frontcountry fitness. In Virginia, the Leopold’s Preserve Trail System offers a 7-mile network of free, public trails within a 380-acre protected space just 35 miles west of Washington, D.C. [1][3] The preserve features wide, relatively flat terrain that removes traditional barriers to entry, making it easily navigable for families with strollers, older adults, and individuals with limited mobility. [3][1][3]

Similarly, Indiana’s Monon South Trail highlights the health benefits of rail-to-trail conversions. The federal designation applies to a 10.5-mile section between Borden and New Pekin, part of a larger 60-mile corridor currently under development. [1] By transforming a former railroad route into a safe, automobile-free corridor, the trail provides a predictable, low-gradient surface ideal for daily running, cycling, and walking, directly linking rural communities to active transportation options. [1][6][1][6]

Diversifying the fitness landscape even further, the Schuylkill River Water Trail in Pennsylvania was designated as a National Water Trail. Stretching 120 miles from the river's headwaters near Tuscarora down to its confluence with the Delaware River, the route flows through five counties. [1][5] It offers a range of aquatic environments, from beginner-friendly calm stretches to more demanding whitewater sections. [1][1][5]

The Schuylkill River designation is a testament to decades of environmental restoration. Once heavily polluted by the Industrial Revolution and the coal industry, the river has been transformed into a thriving recreational asset that supports a diverse fishery. [1][5] For fitness enthusiasts, water trails like the Schuylkill provide a unique opportunity for low-impact, high-resistance upper body and core conditioning, proving that the National Trails System is no longer limited to dry land. [5][6][1][5][6]

With such a broad array of environments now carrying the National Recreation Trail badge, outdoor enthusiasts have more options than ever to tailor their activities to their specific health goals. Whether building VO2 max on a steep Colorado ascent, enjoying a restorative daily walk on a Virginia meadow path, or building upper-body endurance on a Pennsylvania river, the key is matching the trail type to the user's physical preparation and equipment. [6][6]