Recognition of the Trail

In the decades since its creation, the American Discovery Trail has been recognized by many federal, state, and local entities as a treasured addition to the landscape. In 2000 it was designated as a National Millennium Trail. The Millennium Trails Program was a partnership between the White House Millennium Council, the Department of Transportation, the President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities, the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management as well as organizations in the private and non-profit sectors. As the nation’s first multi-use trail, our trail is an ideal model for a “flagship” national trail for all citizens. It exposes people to the nation’s historical, cultural and natural wonders as it connects large cities, small towns and urban areas by integrating existing local, regional and long distance trails into a national system.

American Discovery Trail signage has been placed at the eastern and western ends and at regular intervals along its 6,800 miles, and in 2019, Congress passed the “Natural Resources Management Act”, which among other things formally authorized the placement of ADT signs on federal property, such as National Parks, National Forest and Bureau of Land Management lands.

One can also see the three-sided American Discovery Trail logo in state parks, on public ways, and in a wide array of recreation areas that are open to the public, such as rail-trails and municipal parks. Maintaining trails and signage is a never-ending challenge, and we are pleased to partner with numerous trail-related organizations.

We are grateful to cities and towns, state and federal programs, foundations and individuals for direct support and indirect assistance. Our most recent outreach to Capitol Hill in 2021 had dozens of letters of endorsement from institutions in 13 states. U.S. Senators Todd Young (R-Ind.), Chris Coons (D-Del.), and Mike Braun (R-Ind.) introduced bipartisan legislation in that chamber, and 64 Members of the House were in support of the companion bill to create a new category of nationally-recognized trail with the American Discovery Trail as the first one.

We also acknowledge the work done by scores of state and local agencies, businesses, and organizations to create trails, build bridges, and maintain routes that are used by the American Discovery Trail. Each year Society leadership write letters of support when these entities are seeking funding or assistance to expand and upgrade trail systems.