Congress designated three classifications of trails for public
use under separate criteria established in the National Trails
System Act of 1968 , Sec. 3(a). The three classifications are: -
National Historic Trails – These trails tell stories of an
expanding nation and the challenges and hardships faced by
people, both immigrant and native, who struggled to adapt
themselves to the land and to each other. Designation of the
National Historic Trails identifies and protects historic
routes, historic remnants, and artifacts for public use and
enjoyment. The BLM is responsible for more miles of National
Historic Trails than any other Federal agency. - National Scenic
Trails – National Scenic Trails are intended to provide for
maximum outdoor recreation potential, and for the conservation
and enjoyment of nationally-significant scenic, historical,
natural, and cultural qualities of the areas through which these
trails pass. The Bureau of Land Management is responsible for
over 600 miles of the Continental Divide,