Could the 287-Mile Benton MacKaye Trail Become a National Scenic Trail? New Bill Orders One-Year Study

This bill, the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025, kicks off a formal look into whether the 287-mile Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) should get the official 'National Scenic Trail' title. It directs the Secretary of Agriculture to conduct a feasibility study and report back to Congress within one year.

Digging into the Details: What's a Feasibility Study?

Think of this study as the homework phase. The Secretary of Agriculture, working with groups like the Benton MacKaye Trail Association (who've been managing the trail since 1980), will evaluate if the BMT meets the criteria set by the National Trails System Act. The bill itself notes the trail's strengths: it crosses Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina, offering diverse scenery from Springer Mountain to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. It also points out that the trail already boosts local economies and is cost-effective to maintain, with 95% running through federal land.

Why It Matters: The Path to Potential Designation

Getting designated as a National Scenic Trail isn't just about bragging rights. It's a specific status under federal law (the National Trails System Act) that can bring more resources, national recognition, and potentially increased protections. This study is the required first step defined in that Act. While this bill only orders the study, the findings will determine if Congress considers formally designating the BMT alongside famous trails like the Appalachian Trail or the Pacific Crest Trail. For now, it's about gathering the facts to see if this well-loved regional trail fits the national bill.