Hit the Trails — It’s National Trails Day!
June 1, 2013 is National Trails Day!
Since 1993, the first Saturday of every June has been designated to inspire the general public and hiking enthusiasts alike to discover and celebrate America’s expansive trail network — comprising over 200,000 miles of trails. You can participate in a local hike, dog walk, cycle, horseback ride, help in a trail maintenance project, kayak, birdwatch, and so much more. It’s easy to forget how much work goes into trails’ planning, development, and upkeep: National Trails Day thanks the countless volunteers and partners for their support and grueling work.
Heading into the lovely trails of the Yamato Scrub Natural Area
Organized by the American Hiking Society, National Trails Day also introduces many people — those who may not otherwise normally visit parks — to all of their benefits. The day further highlights trails that people didn’t even know existed. This was actually the genesis of Serenity Spell; after hearing how so many locals were unaware of the magnificent parks and natural areas in this area (see the much-needed-updating Natural Areas and State & National Parks dropdowns, above — or the Categories section to the right), I was inspired to investigate more on my own. In today’s world, it’s critical to get outdoors and into nature. Hiking, even simple walks, gets the heart pumping, the muscles relaxed and stretched, and is an excellent way to improve overall health and mental alignment. It’s also cheap!
Click here to find an event near you for a National Trails Day event. Celebrate nature and promote our country’s parks and trails!
Oak Trees sheltering the Florida Trail, Jonathan Dickinson State Park
Equestrian trail signage in the Bluefield Natural Area
Pines along the trail in the Atlantic Ridge State Park
FeyGirl
Serenity Spell 