Congress·Reported·S. 1376

Benton MacKaye Trail: National Scenic Trail Study

Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025

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This bill directs the Department of Agriculture to study if the Benton MacKaye Trail should be officially named a National Scenic Trail. This 287-mile path winds through the mountains and forests of Georgia, Tennessee, and North Carolina.
The trail is already popular for hiking and backpacking, passing through the Great Smoky Mountains and several national forests. Since 95% of the trail is already on federal land, making it a national trail would likely be inexpensive and easy to manage.
Supporters say this official status would help rural communities by bringing in more tourists. People visiting the trail spend money at local restaurants, hotels, and outdoor shops, which helps the local economy in the three states the trail passes through.
The government would have one year to finish the study and report back to Congress. They will work with local hiking groups that have been taking care of the trail since 1980 to see if it meets the standards for the national trail system.

4 milestones5 actions

Oct 27, 2025Senate

Placed on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 211.

Oct 27, 2025Senate

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Reported by Senator Boozman without amendment. Without written report.

Oct 21, 2025Senate

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry. Ordered to be reported without amendment favorably.

Apr 9, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry.

Apr 9, 2025

Introduced in Senate

1 bill

Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025

Mar 5 — Ordered to be Reported in the Nature of a Substitute (Amended) by Unanimous Consent.

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Benton MacKaye National Scenic Trail Feasibility Study Act of 2025

Bill NumberS 1376

Congress119th Congress

ChamberSenate

Latest ActionPlaced on Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders. Calendar No. 211.

(4)

D: 2R: 2

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

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