National Scenic Trails are established to provide access to '' spectacular natural beauty and to allow the pursuit of healthy outdoor recreation '' . The National Scenic Trail system provides access to the crest of the Appalachian Mountains in the east , on the Appalachian Trail , to the Rocky Mountains of the west on the Continental Divide Trail . These provide access to viewing the subtle beauties of the southern wetlands and Gulf Coast on the Florida Trail , wandering the North Woods from New York to North Dakota on the North Country Trail , or experiencing the vast diversity of landscapes of the southwest on the Arizona National Scenic Trail . Of the eleven national scenic trails , Appalachian , Natchez Trace , and Potomac Heritage are official units of the NPS . National Historic Trails are designated to protect the remains of significant overland or water routes to reflect the history of the nation . They represent the earliest travels across the continent on the Juan Bautista de Anza National Historic Trail ; the nation 's struggle for independence on the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail ; epic migrations on the Mormon & Oregon Trails and the development of continental commerce on the Santa Fe Trail . They also commemorate the forced displacement and hardships of the Native Americans , on the Trail of Tears . There are 19 Historic Trails . Most of them are scenic routes instead of non-motorized trails
Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears
National Trails System