An inspirational bucket list for hikers, history buffs, armchair travelers, and all those who wish to walk in the hallowed footsteps of American history. 2020 GOLD WINNER OF THE FOREWORD INDIES AWARD IN HISTORY 2021 NATIONAL OUTDOOR BOOK AWARD WINNER From the battlefields of the American Revolution to the trails blazed by the pioneers, lands explored by Lewis and Clark and covered by the Pony Express, to the civil-rights marches of Selma and Montgomery, this is the official book of the country's 19 National Historic Trails. These trails range from 54 miles to more than 5,000 and feature historic and interpretive sites to be explored on foot and sometimes by paddle, sail, bicycle, horse, or by car on backcountry roads. Totaling 37,000 miles through 41 states, our entire national experience comes to life on these trails--from Native American history to the settlement of the colonies, westward expansion, and civil rights--and they are beautifully depicted in this large-format volume.

This pocket-sized gift and souvenir photo book captures the beauty of America's quintessential wilderness hiking trail. From desert California to the Washington-Canada border, the compelling photography of Bart Smith brings the entire 2,650-mile trail to life. This beautifully illustrated book, officially published with the Pacific Crest Trail Association in a pocket-sized gift and souvenir format, highlights this legendary footpath with more than 170 spectacular contemporary images taken by the foremost hiking photographer in America. Readers can experience the trail as if their boots were on the path--passing by the trail blazes, taking in the surrounding wilderness at scenic overlooks, meeting other hikers at lean-tos or shelters, and freezing at the sight of bear, elk, or other majestic wildlife. Designated as one of the first two national scenic trails in 1968, the Pacific Crest Trail is a continuous footpath of more than 2,650 miles--from the Mexican to the Canadian border. It is often called the "wilderness trail" because roughly half of it runs through federal wilderness--25 national forests, six national parks, five state parks, three national monuments, and 48 federal wilderness areas. The trail symbolizes everything there is to love--and protect--in the western United States. This book is perfect for anyone interested in conservation, outdoor recreation, or American history, or for those who dream of one day becoming thru-hikers themselves.

The National Trails System, An Illustrated History richly describes how the National Trails System was established by federal law in 1968. It builds on the conservation history of the mid-20th Century to show how the trails system grew from the same political trends that envisioned the Land and Water Conservation Fund, the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, and the Environmental Protection Act. Once passed, the Trails Act--and the trails it established--evolved as political and public trends shifted. This history portrays these changes to show that what started as an experiment has resulted in a nationwide network of trails for all tastes and abilities involving thousands of volunteers and providing recreational and heritage opportunities for millions. Readers interested in recreation, discovery, history, politics, and conservation will find these themes unfolding around the story of America's national trails. At first, there were only two trails--the well-known Appalachian and Pacific Crest National Scenic Trails. Today, there are thirty national scenic and historic trails creating a network larger than the Interstate Highway System. This is the first comprehensive history of the National Trails System. It is based largely on primary sources and is offered in chronological chapters, with photographs and maps. The 50th anniversary of the National Trails System is an ideal time to document its evolution and progress.

Donated.

From New England to Alaska, this 544 page resource is filled with helpful advice, historical background, and practical facts on how to reach scores of park system properties, when to go, and what to do there.

An inspirational photographic tour for anyone who wants to get out on America’s most iconic trail—from day hiker to thru-hiker. The Appalachian Trail spans fourteen states from Maine to Georgia and is more than 2,000 miles long. Now, eighty years after its completion, the A.T. remains America’s premier hiking trail and is known as “the People’s Path.” This beautifully illustrated book officially published with the Appalachian Trail Conservancy highlights this legendary footpath with more than 170 spectacular contemporary images taken by the foremost hiking photographer in America. The photographs allow readers to experience the trail as if their boots were on the path—passing by the iconic white trail blazes, taking in the surrounding wilderness at scenic overlooks, meeting other hikers at lean-tos or shelters, and freezing at the sight of a black bear, moose, or other majestic wildlife. This book is perfect for anyone interested in conservation, outdoor recreation, or American history, or for those who dream of one day becoming thru-hikers themselves.

America’s Great Forest Trails is an unprecedented showcase and practical travel guide to the finest woodland hiking opportunities, calling us to get out “into the woods” but also reminding us of the importance of leaving no trace through these fragile ecosystems. No other book combines the hiking-boots-on-the-ground guidance found here with spectacular photography and narratives that describe, motivate, and inspire the hiker in all of us. Featuring 100 outstanding hikes lasting from one day to several weeks, this photo-packed book is an inspirational bucket list for anyone looking to escape into America’s finest areas of wild beauty and to experience both the excitement and serenity of being among the trees—from armchair traveler to day hiker to experienced backpacker. America’s Great Forest Trails introduces readers to 100 hikes of a lifetime, from legendary trails to some that are scarcely known. The trails included range across the country: from the ancient Appalachians and the Pacific Coast’s uplift, to the Rockies, Desert Ranges, Sierra Nevada, Cascade Mountains, Olympics, and beyond to the wild terrain of Alaska and the islands of Hawaii and Puerto Rico. Readers get practical details about each trail and guidance on how to protect these special places so they remain alluring and rewarding to the generations ahead who seek both solace and adventure.

Includes 40 maps, for both driving and walking tours, to historical sites in all 50 states. "Features more than 2,500 U.S. historical sites, including: battlefields, wild west towns, colonial villages, historic districts, Indian dwellings, pioneer trails," and more--Cover.

It's here! Now you can stamp your way through the entire National Park System with the newest addition to the Passport To Your National Parks line of products: the Collector's Edition Passport. Beauty and practicality meet artfully in this deluxe version of the popular Passport, taking you above and beyond the original by providing space for Passport stickers and cancellation stamps for every single park, as well as space for extra cancellations. The park sites are color-coded by region, each area featuring a color map that pinpoints park locations. With a spiral binding that makes it easy to lie open flat, a hard cover that ensures durability and longer life, and pages graced with beautiful color photographs, it's the ultimate stamping ground.