Could the Benton MacKaye Trail Join the National Scenic Roster? Feds Have a Year to Decide

This bill, the Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025, directs the Secretary of Agriculture to figure out if the Benton MacKaye Trail (BMT) has what it takes to become an official National Scenic Trail. The BMT is a 287-mile path winding through Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina. The Department has one year from the bill's enactment to conduct this study and report back to Congress.

Evaluating a Backcountry Gem

So, what's the big deal about becoming a National Scenic Trail? It's about recognition and potentially bringing more resources and federal coordination to a trail, joining ranks like the Appalachian Trail. The bill itself notes the BMT already boasts significant natural beauty, crosses diverse landscapes including national forests and wilderness areas, and is largely maintained on federal land by the Benton MacKaye Trail Association, a volunteer group that's been managing it since 1980. This study essentially asks: does this existing, well-loved trail meet the criteria set by the National Trails System Act for the official federal designation? The Secretary of Agriculture is required to consult with groups like the Benton MacKaye Trail Association during this evaluation. It's important to remember this bill only commissions the study; it doesn't grant the designation itself. That decision would come later, based on the study's findings.