1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Act of 2023 . 2. Findings Congress finds that the Benton MacKaye Trail— (1) is a scenic, nonmotorized trail that traverses approximately 287 miles over some of the most renowned forests and mountains in the States of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina; (2) showcases a wide variety of scenic views, including high elevation peaks, mature forests, and secluded waterfalls, and passes through wilderness rich with biodiversity; (3) passes through six designated Wilderness Areas, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and the Chattahoochee, Cherokee, and Nantahala National Forests; (4) provides a wide array of easily accessible hikes for novice and intermediate hikers, as well as more challenging trails for backpacking; (5) supports economic opportunities for numerous rural communities that benefit from the trail’s visitors spending their money on accommodations, food, and outdoor supplies; (6) runs from Springer Mountain in Georgia, through Tennessee, and extends through the Great Smoky Mountains National Park in North Carolina; and (7) is physically accessible and can be maintained at a minimal cost because— (A) the Benton MacKaye Trail has been maintained at its current length since 2005; (B) 95 percent of the Benton MacKaye Trail is located on Federal land