National Trails Day 2014

Saturday, June 7, 2014, marks the American Hiking Society’s 22nd annual celebration of National Trails Day, which is America’s largest trail and outdoor celebration - a day devoted to appreciating America’s trails and the hard-working individuals who build and maintain them. In honor of this day, thousands of public events will be hosted nationwide and hundreds of thousands of trail enthusiasts will be outside as they hike, pedal, and paddle through some of America’s most beautiful areas. National Trails Day activities will occur in all 50 states, as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Canada.

In 1987 President Ronald Reagan authorized the President's Commission on Americans Outdoors. The final report recommended that all Americans be able to go out their front doors, and within fifteen minutes, be on trails that wind through their cities or towns and bring them back without retracing steps. The recommendation, dubbed Trails for All Americans, became the impetus behind several public and private parties joining the American Hiking Society in launching the first National Trails Day in 1993.



Below are a few events in the Great Smoky Mountains region that might be of interest to hikers:



* The 18th Annual Appalachian Trail Work Day in the Smokies (Friends of the Smokies)



* Celebrate the Smokies (Girl Scout Troop 20659)



* Middle Creek Nature Loop trail repair and clean-up at Big South Fork



* Trail Building on the Cumberland Trail



* Big Ridge State Part Hike and Grill



* Wilderness Hike – Southern Nantahala Wilderness Area (Nantahala Hiking Club)



For a full list of events in your area, please click here .













Jeff

Hiking Trails in the Smokies