Application and Technical Assistance
Application and Technical Assistance
Common Questions
When are NRT designations awarded?
The timeline is as follows:
November 1: Deadline for submittal of current year's online NRT applications.
- NRT Program Coordinator checks new applications
- Sends e-mail confirming receipt of applications
- Contacts applicants for missing items, questions, or clarifications.
November 15: Applications proceed to field review.
- Regional NRT contact or Federal agency NRT Manager reviews application
- Makes follow-up contact with applicant to request additional information and/or site visit if necessary
- December 31: Regional NRT Manager or Federal agency NRT Manager provides recommendation to DOI NRT Program Coordinator.
February 1: DOI NRT Program Coordinator forwards the recommended trails for approval by the Secretary of the Interior.
June of following year - National Trails Day: New NRT designations announced
- Department of the Interior sends news release officially announcing new NRT designations
- Local announcements and designation events
- Newly designated trails are added to the online searchable database of NRTs
- Certificate, Secretarial letter, and trail markers mailed to each newly designated NRT
What if I can't make the deadline?
Contact Lindsay Brisko ([email protected] or 720-626-3110) with National Park Service to inquire if an extension is possible or to have your application held-over for the following year.
Who can apply for National Recreation Trail designation?
Any public or private trail manager operating a trail that meets the definition and criteria below may apply for NRT designation.
What kinds of trails are eligible?
A trail is a travel way established either through construction or use and is passable by at least one or more of the following, including but not limited to: foot traffic, stock, equestrian, watercraft, bicycles, in-line skates, wheelchairs, cross-country skis, off-road recreation vehicles such as motorcycles, snowmobiles, ATVs, and four-wheel drive vehicles. Roads and highways suitable for passenger car travel are not eligible for NRT designation.
What are the criteria for NRT designation?
The trail must be open to public use, have no gaps, and be designed, constructed, and maintained according to best management practices, in keeping with the use anticipated. Trails that demonstrate state-of-the-art design and management are especially encouraged to apply for NRT designation. The trail is in compliance with applicable land use plans and environmental laws. NRT designation must be supported in writing by the landowner(s), public or private, upon whose land the trail tread exists. For adjacent landowner(s), letters of support are encouraged but written approval is not required.
Technical Support
System Requirements/Recommendations
Screen Size: We recommend using a desktop or laptop computer with a minimum resolution of 1920 x 1080. Phones and tablets are not recommended.
Browser support: Windows and macOS
Firefox 67+
Chrome 63+
Safari 11.1+
Edge 79+
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I'm having an issue with the website
If you need technical assistance, you may contact:
Mike Bullington
[email protected]
Program Contacts
For applications involving the Bureau of Land Management, please contact Dave Jeppesen at 801-539-4233 or [email protected].
For applications involving the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, please contact Ryan Hartwig at [email protected].
For applications involving the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, please contact Maggie O’Connell at 703-358-1883 or [email protected]
For applications involving the USDA Forest Service, please contact Andrew (Andy) Welsh 209-916-5956 or [email protected].
For all other applications, or those involving the National Water Trails designation, please contact the National Park Service Acting Coordinator, Lindsay Brisko at [email protected] or 720-626-3110.