Green Ridge State
Forest Trail System Designated A National Recreation Trail
FLINTSTONE —
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is pleased to announce
that the Green Ridge State Forest Trail System in Allegany County was
recently designated one of 37 new National Recreation Trails. The
announcement was made by U.S. Secretary of the Interior Gale A. Norton at
a celebration for National Trails Day on June 4.
The Green Ridge State Forest Trail System is located in the largest
contiguous block of forest in Maryland. This 28-mile backcountry trail
offers a variety of recreational opportunities amidst the backdrop of the
Allegheny Mountains. With a link to the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National
Historical Park that forms a 45-mile loop for backpacking, the trail
system provides additional access to key educational and interpretive
themes of the Potomac Heritage National Scenic Trail corridor. In addition
to its scenic and historic features, this trail system offers a wealth of
outdoor activities (including mountain biking and cross-country skiing)
within two and half hours of Washington, D.C.
“We are extremely proud of our second state-managed trail system being
designated a National Recreation Trail,” said Maryland Park Service
Superintendent Rick Barton. “This is a great honor and we anticipate more
of Maryland’s outstanding trails being added to the list in the future.”
National Recreation Trail designation is an honor given out to trails that
meet the requirements for connecting people to local resources and
improving their quality of life. The national trail designation is part of
a continuing campaign to promote community partnerships and to foster
innovative ways to encourage physical fitness. The National Trails System
Act of 1968 encourages the Secretary of the Interior to recognize existing
community trails that qualify as additions to the National Trails System.
The act promotes enjoyment and appreciation of trails and greater public
access.
There are more than 900 National Recreation Trails in the United States,
of which, five are in Maryland. In addition to the Green Ridge State
Forest Trail System, they are Annapolis Rock Hiker Campground and Trail
located in South Mountain State Park, Cross Island Trail in Queen Anne’s
County, The Great Allegany Passage in Western Maryland, and the Baltimore
and Annapolis Trail Park in Anne Arundel County. For more information
about these trails, visit the National Recreation Trails Program at
http://americantrails.org/nationalrecreationtrails/stateNRT/MDnrt.html.